Notes from the Federal Palace Notes from the F deral P lace itics, buying medicine and finally death and the questions associated with it, such as inheritance. A few interesting facts and figures also emerged from the recent survey carried out among the Swiss Abroad by the University of Applied Sciences Geneva (HES-SO, HETS) and by the University of Neuchâtel in collaboration with the FDFA: ■ One third of the people questioned were born in the country where they currently live. ■ Half of them were born in Switzerland. ■70 percent have another nationality. ■Around 90 percent have not had to rein in their lifestyle after retirement, or “only a little” if they have. ■ 84 percent own their own homes. ■ The Swiss Abroad mainly encounter people who have spent most of their lives in their destination country and less often people who have lived mainly in Switzerland. Information and prevention in Switzerland and abroad Swiss people interested in retiring abroad need rapid access to useful, straightforward and reliable information. Preventative preparations must be made and potential Swiss Abroad must be made aware in advance of the problems and major issues they are likely to face. Swiss representations abroad must have the necessary tools in their arsenal to be able to give clients the advice they need in emergency situations. This will allow them to act more quickly without having to refer back to headquarters. Any Swiss Abroad who, despite this prevention work, find themselves in a difficult situation or still have questions will be able to contact the representation, which is there to support them in such situations. Webinars To promote the sharing of information and raise awareness further in the community, regular webinars are to be organised on topics of interest to Swiss seniors living abroad. During these webinars, special external units or speakers will give presentations on a chosen theme, thereby providing firsthand information to the target audience. The emphasis will be on having an active discussion, so attendees will be encouraged to ask questions. A pilot webinar was organised in late November 2022 for the community of seniors living in the Maghreb, on the subject of banking services. Others will follow over the course of the year. New SwissInTouch application SwissInTouch will also be an important communication channel for the Swiss Abroad. This interface aims to promote discussions and relations between the Swiss government and its official representations and the Swiss Abroad. It takes account of the latter’s needs and ideas, and gives them direct, user- friendly access to major consular services and information. Our senior citizens will thus have precise information tailored to their requirements, which may be useful to them as they prepare for their retirement or during their retirement. The “Aging abroad” project will be developed over time, and Swiss people intending to spend their retirement abroad will be able to find relevant information there, including which departments to contact and what procedures to follow. The consular representations will be given useful information on how to answer questions and how to proceed. MICHELE MALIZIA CONSULAR DIRECTORATE Some useful advice ■ Register with the competent representation ■ Give your emergency details (family or friends, including their address and telephone number) ■ File instructions in advance with the competent representation in case of an accident ■ File an inventory of assets with your competent representation ■ Where applicable, give the contact details of your health or repatriation insurance ■ Visit our dedicated web pages: Section “Living and working abroad” – “Preparations for a stay abroad, emigration and repatriation” – “Retiring abroad” Some 288,000 Swiss Abroad are aged over 55. Around 177,000 are over 65. The older demographic constitutes a sizeable and important contingent within the “Fifth Switzerland”. Total number of Swiss Abroad: 788,000 (2021). 25 Swiss Review / January 2023 / No.1
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