Upper seatback pivot system

A vehicle seating assembly, comprising:

• first and second side supports defining a seatback structure that is operable between upright and reclined positions;
• a pivot bar rotatably coupled with the seatback structure;
• an upper seatback suspension component fixedly coupled to the pivot bar;
• a motorized actuation assembly disposed between the first and second side supports and operably coupled to the pivot bar, wherein the motorized actuation assembly pivots the upper seatback suspension component about the pivot bar to a rearward position when the seatback structure is in the upright position and pivots the upper seatback suspension component about the pivot bar to a forward position when the seatback structure is in the reclined position, wherein the motorized actuation assembly includes a motor operably coupled with a lift bar;
• and
• an external peripheral gap defined between the upper seatback suspension component and the seatback structure that enlarges when the upper seatback suspension component moves to the forward position.