BEYOND Work: Rethinking Retirement as a Strategic Advantage for 2030

The Workforce is Shifting

By 2030, Switzerland, and much of the world, will face a profound demographic shift. A significant share of the workforce will be approaching retirement, reshaping not only when people exit the workplace, but how they transition and what comes next. This calls for a fundamental rethinking of retirement; not as an end, but as an important phase in the full employee lifecycle.

A Growing Need for Holistic Retirement Readiness

Switzerland’s population is aging steadily. According to the Federal Statistical Office, 1 in 5 people will be over 65 by 2030. Globally, the WHO’s Decade of Healthy Ageing calls for support that goes beyond pensions, emphasizing the social, emotional, and environmental needs of ageing populations.
Yet most corporate retirement practices still focus narrowly on financial planning.

Research from Stanford, OECD, and WHO shows that people thrive in retirement when they also prepare for the emotional and social dimensions of the transition:

Many retirees experience a loss of identity when stepping out of their professional roles.

Workplace networks fade, which can lead to social isolation.

Those who plan for new roles. report higher life satisfaction and wellbeing.

Why This Matters for Organizations

Forward-looking companies understand that supporting retirement transitions isn’t just an act of care, it’s also smart business
Supporting people 'beyond work' reinforces core HR priorities and delivers concrete returns:

• Talent Retention: People are more likely to stay when they see their organization values the full employee journey.
• Employee Engagement: Open conversations about retirement foster trust and proactive planning.
• Knowledge Transfer & Succession: Structured transitions prevent critical knowledge loss.
• Employer Brand & Culture: Organizations that honor the full arc of work build cultures of continuity and loyalty.

Introducing the BEYOND Program

To meet this need, at Sharpmania we developed BEYOND, a transformative program that reimagines the retirement experience.

BEYOND is a three-phase framework designed to guide individuals and organizations through a holistic retirement transition:

1. Reflect: Understand key achievements, values, and lessons learned.
2. Reimagine: Challenge assumptions, explore possibilities, and test new directions.
3. Redesign: Build a purposeful vision and roadmap for life after work.

The program includes in person workshops, reflective practice, 1:1 coaching, legacy planning, and knowledge transfer strategies. Organizations benefit by safeguarding business continuity, boosting morale, and transforming exiting employees into long-term ambassadors.

Breaking the Taboo

In June 2025, Sharpmania hosted a BEYOND conference in Geneva, bringing HR professionals together to discuss the evolving narrative around retirement.

The collective insight was clear: retirement should not be taboo. Organizations must normalize discussions about the future and offer safe, supportive spaces for individuals to plan meaningful next chapters.

Looking Ahead: From People Pillar to Strategic Imperative

Retirement readiness isn’t a perk, it’s a necessity in the new world of work.
When done right, it supports:

• Continuity in operations
• Connection across generations
• Commitment to long-term people investment
  

The future of work depends not only on how we recruit and retain, but also on how we release and reimagine.

Ready to Act?

Are you ready to take action?

If you're curious about how BEYOND can support your people or would like to explore signing up participants for the 2026 pilot program, reach out to us here

We’re here to help your people, and your organization to transition with purpose.