Swiss Life Advances Customized Life Insurance Solutions for Asia's HNW Market
At the Hubbis HNW Insurance Summit - Singapore 2025, Christopher Tanchou, Head of Business Development Asia at Swiss Life Global Solutions, presented on the strategic role of life insurance in private wealth planning for high-net-worth (HNW) clients in Asia. He emphasized that well-structured insurance not only provides protection but ensures control, continuity, and long-term confidence for wealth transfer. Swiss Life, a 168-year-old European insurer listed on the Swiss Market Index, underscores stability and financial strength with consistent net profits exceeding CHF 1 billion annually, reinforcing its capacity for long-term partnership with HNW clients.
Swiss Life Singapore operates as the firm’s regional hub serving six Asian markets: Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and Taiwan. Christopher highlighted Singapore’s regulatory clarity and legal neutrality as key advantages, providing clients with a robust legal framework alongside Swiss Life’s European heritage. Unlike traditional life insurance models, Swiss Life employs Variable Universal Life (VUL) and Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) policies, allowing clients to fund premiums with portfolios of financial assets or cash, maintaining active involvement and control over investment decisions within the policy.
This flexible structure supports integration with clients’ existing advisory teams, including bankers, asset managers, and legal experts, ensuring a transparent and client-centric approach. One critical advantage is addressing wealth succession planning challenges; embedding assets within a VUL or PPLI policy enables more efficient, tax-advantaged transfer and wealth protection, reducing exposure to probate delays and legal complications.
Christopher noted that insurance payout mechanisms in these structures offer confidentiality, quicker distribution, and potential tax efficiencies compared with traditional estate processes. Direct payments to beneficiaries according to specified allocations help mitigate familial disputes and preserve privacy during wealth transfer, a significant benefit in complex family governance scenarios prevalent in Asia.
Swiss Life’s regional specialization in six Asian markets enables tailored solutions respecting local regulatory, tax, and governance frameworks. The firm collaborates closely with banks and intermediaries to customize each policy, emphasizing bespoke design over uniform products. Christopher articulated that Swiss Life extends beyond product provision to act as a strategic partner and educator, frequently conducting workshops aimed at deepening industry understanding of insurance-led wealth planning.
Looking ahead, Swiss Life aims to strengthen collaboration with intermediaries through practical workshops using real-world case studies, fostering more resilient and client-aligned wealth planning strategies within the Asian market. Christopher framed Swiss Life’s mission as supporting long-term legacy building through durable partnerships that provide ongoing control and continuity for clientele across generations.