Interview - Alpian continues its expansion in Switzerland and enters the pension market.

What brought Alpian and lemania-pension together for this partnership?

Victor (Alpian): It was one of those rare moments where everything just clicked. We'd been looking at the 3a market for a while, knowing we wanted to do something different - not just another standard product. When we met Jérôme and Roxane, it became obvious we shared the same frustration: pension products in Switzerland are either too expensive, too complicated, or stuck in 1995. We both wanted to build something that actually makes sense for people who live their lives on their phones and expect transparency. The fact that they'd already cracked the digital infrastructure piece meant we could focus on what we do best: customer experience and investment quality.

Roxane (lemania-pension): Lemania-pension was Switzerland's first 100% digital pension platform enabling the onboarding of pension account holders. Since its inception, Alpian has described itself as a digital bank. Our shared convictions, whether in terms of pensions or investments, naturally brought us together and helped to strengthen our respective areas of expertise.

You went from first meeting to launch in just six months. What made this collaboration move so fast?

Victor (Alpian): Two things: trust and no bureaucratic theater. From day one, we agreed on the non-negotiables - focus on long-term performance, zero compromise on security, full digital experience - and then just got to work. There were no endless committee meetings or risk-averse gatekeepers slowing things down. When you're both working with a scale-up mentality, you can move at startup speed with grown-up infrastructure. Also, lemania-pension's API-first approach meant we weren't trying to duct-tape legacy systems together. It just worked.

Roxane (lemania-pension): Whenever we faced a technical or legal challenge, we always managed to maintain a solution-oriented and pragmatic approach. We were supported by highly agile technical teams who shared the same work philosophy and extensive expertise. Everyone was able to count on each other to pull together in a similar team spirit regardless of the structure to which they belonged.

What does "100% invested" mean, and why does it matter for long-term returns?

Victor (Alpian): Simple: your money starts working from day one. Planning for retirement in a low-interest world isn’t easy. Many 3a providers hold large cash buffers or offer strategies so conservative they don’t even keep up with inflation. We’ve built solutions where every franc you deposit is fully invested in your chosen BlackRock portfolio designed for long-term capital growth. Over 30 years, that difference adds up. If you invest CHF 7,258 annually, choosing the right strategy could mean tens of thousands more at retirement. Time is on your side but only if you use it.

Roxane (lemania-pension) : The FLLP & FRPI foundations within Lemania Pension have always advocated the capitalisation of long-term assets, a cornerstone of the 2nd and 3rd pillar systems. We know that one Swiss franc today will not be worth one Swiss franc tomorrow.  The only way to maintain purchasing power and grow your assets is to believe in the third-party contributor.  

You're also launching a vested benefits solution by the end of the year. How do these two products work together?

Victor (Alpian): They're complementary. The 3a is for active retirement saving - you contribute yearly, get tax deductions, build wealth, and close the gaps left by the first two pillars. Vested benefits accounts are for life transitions: you change jobs, take a sabbatical, or lose your job. Your second pillar’s money needs somewhere to park. Right now, many people leave that money in expensive or low-performing accounts because it's complicated to move. We're making it as simple as the 3a: same institutional investment quality, same digital experience, same transparent pricing. So whether you're actively saving or managing a career transition, we've got you covered.

Roxane : One exists without the other; they are two distinct offerings that respond to different situations. But these two pillars are nevertheless linked because they are part of the Swiss pension system. Offering a 3a solution and a vested benefits solution means providing a comprehensive service to people who need support with their pension planning.