As Filipinos prepare for longer lives, many are placing greater importance on maintaining their independence as they age, according to the latest findings from the Manulife Asia Care Survey 2026: Independence as the New Legacy. The study found that Filipinos increasingly view self-reliance, financial freedom, and the ability to avoid becoming a burden on loved ones as the legacy they can leave their families.
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● New Manulife Asia Care Survey 2026 reveals Filipinos are prioritizing self-reliance, financial freedom, and quality care as they prepare for longer lives.
● Filipinos are redefining legacy around independence, but caregiving pressures, rising care costs, and planning gaps may challenge long-term resilience.
● Survey finds Filipinos want to age independently and avoid burdening loved ones, highlighting the need for stronger health, care, and financial planning.
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The survey, which
gathered insights from more than 9,000 respondents across Asia, including 1,000
in the Philippines, explores attitudes toward longevity, health, caregiving,
retirement preparedness, and financial well-being.
Independence as the
New Legacy
The results build on a
broader trend that Manulife has observed in recent years. As conversations
around longevity have evolved, Filipinos have increasingly shifted their focus
from simply living longer to living healthier, more fulfilling lives. The latest
survey suggests this aspiration is becoming more defined: remaining physically,
financially, and emotionally independent for as long as possible.
●
Among survey
respondents, 88% agreed that their independence and financial freedom are
the inheritance they want to leave their family, rising to 95% among those
aged 25 to 34. When asked what independence means to them, respondents cited
freedom from becoming a burden on others, freedom to make decisions without
family pressure, and freedom to access quality care.
●
Among
respondents who want independence to be their legacy, 56% cite their own
health and quality of life as a top priority, while 53% are concerned about
unexpected expenses in their later years—highlighting how health, financial
security, and self-sufficiency are increasingly connected in how Filipinos plan
for the future.
“For many Filipinos,
legacy has always been deeply connected to family. What we are seeing is that
people increasingly view legacy not only as what they leave behind, but also as
the choices they make to stay healthy, independent and able to enjoy life for
longer,” said Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife
Philippines.
Hora added, “This is
especially important as Filipinos face more complex health, care, and financial
needs as they age. At Manulife, we are committed to helping them prepare for
the future through trusted advice, protection, and health and wealth solutions
that enable greater confidence, dignity, and financial security in the years
ahead.”
Health as the
Foundation of Independence
The survey found that
Filipinos broadly understand the role of health in protecting their
independence, with 92% agreeing that preventive care and self-care habits
help extend years of independence.
Spending time with
family and friends (52%), following a balanced diet (50%), and maintaining a
consistent exercise routine (48%) emerged as the leading self-care habits among
respondents. However, only 29% are proactively building and maintaining social
circles to combat isolation, and only 26% have taken early screenings and
preventive care to avoid chronic illness.
Sandwich Generation
Pressures Test Path to Independence
While Filipinos aspire
to remain independent throughout their later years, the study found that many
are already navigating responsibilities that may make that goal more difficult
to achieve. Family caregiving and financial obligations have become a defining
reality for a large segment of the population, often competing with their own
long-term plans for health and financial security.
●
67% provide
care to a family member, averaging 32 hours per week, well above the regional average of 23 hours. Meanwhile,
68% carry financial responsibilities for family members, spending nearly half
their monthly income to do so.
●
The pressure is especially pronounced among the “sandwich
generation,” or
those caring for both parents and children. Among respondents, 13% provide care
to both generations, while 17% extend financial support to both. For many,
these dual responsibilities are making it harder to prepare for their own
future: 74% say caregiving and financial commitments hinder their ability to
build self-reliance, while 71% report delaying their own medical care as a
result.
●
76% of
caregivers report difficulty making long-term plans for themselves, 69% struggle to balance caregiving with their own
daily activities, 68% experience sleeping problems, and 67% face both financial
strain and difficulty adjusting their life plans. 54% report problems with
their own physical health.
"The findings
show us where the gaps are, and where support is most needed. Filipinos caught
in these dual responsibilities should not have to choose between caring for
their families and securing their own future. That is precisely the kind of
challenge we want to help them navigate," Hora added.
Planning for the
Cost of Independence
These pressures are
driving financial anxiety, with 82% of Filipinos worried about affording future
care, well above the 66% regional average.
On average, respondents estimate they would need PHP34,485
per month to cover their future care needs. Most plan to rely on personal
savings (87%) and investments (59%), while only 21% expect support from their
children, reflecting a stronger need for self-sufficiency and desire to let the
next generation build their own lives.
“Financial
independence is becoming an essential part of how Filipinos define a secure and
dignified future,” said Aira Gaspar, President and Chief Executive Officer,
Manulife Investments Philippines. “As people live longer, many are thinking
more intentionally about how they can support their retirement, care needs, and
life goals through savings and investments, while remaining self-sufficient and
giving their children the freedom to pursue their own goals.”
The survey also shows
that Filipinos who have started saving and investing for their financial
well-being are taking practical steps to adapt their strategies. Nearly half
plan to shift toward income-generating investments, while 30% intend to work
with a professional financial planner or advisor. Another 28% plan to diversify
across asset classes, and 21% want to take a more conservative approach focused
on capital preservation.
Gaspar added, “At
Manulife Investments Philippines, we help bridge the gap between intention and
action by offering professionally managed unit investment trust funds (UITFs)
as well as expert guidance and resources that make long-term financial planning
more accessible and relevant to Filipinos at different life stages.”
Access the full report
and download the white paper via the company’s website: Manulife Asia Survey 2026: “Independence
as the New Legacy”. The insights uncovered in this year's survey align with
the Manulife Longevity Institute, a global research, thought leadership,
innovation, advocacy, and community investment platform that drives action to
help people thrive at every age. Learn more about Manulife's Longevity research
and insights at: manulife.com/longevity.
Resources:
●
Manulife Asia Survey 2026:
“Independence as the New Legacy” - https://www.manulife.com/ca/en/about-us/news/asia-care-survey-2026
