●
Survey of 1,000 consumers
in the Philippines shows Filipinos value independence, quality of life, and
purpose over longer life spans.
●
Despite rising health
concerns, especially among those aged 25-34, most Filipinos surveyed do not
take sufficient preventive health actions.
●
Amid widening retirement
savings gap, Filipinos see the link between finances and health but remain
underprepared for retirement.
●
Many Filipinos place
excessive reliance on cash as a placeholder investment, increasing the risk
that they might outlive their savings in the face of potential longer life
expectancy.
A shift in how Filipinos view longevity is emerging, as they
prioritize quality of life more than simply living longer as they age,
according to the Manulife Asia Care Survey 2025: "Embracing Longevity: Enjoying a Better Life." The
comprehensive study, which surveyed 1,000 Filipinos, revealed that only 13% of
respondents chose living a longer life as their top wish when they consider
their older years, while 26% prioritize financial independence and 17% value
staying physically, mentally, and socially active.
The Manulife
Asia Care Survey 2025, which ran in January and February, explored attitudes
around how the region views longevity, as global life expectancies continue to
rise.
Among
those who value quality of life over lifespan, the respondents’ desired
lifespan averages 69 years—below the national life expectancy, which is
projected to reach 73.2 by 2050—suggests a preference for a life of purpose,
vigor, and independence over sheer longevity.
“Filipinos are redefining what it
means to live a good life,” said Rahul
Hora, President and Chief Executive
Officer, Manulife Philippines. “They are no longer focused solely on
longevity. Instead, they want to live better—with freedom, dignity, and the
ability to enjoy life on their own terms. This shift challenges us to rethink
how we support them—not just with insurance, but with holistic solutions that
enhance their quality of life.”
Health concerns continue to rise,
especially among younger Filipinos
The survey also revealed that health
issues are a growing concern, particularly among Filipinos aged 25-34. Nearly
44% of respondents reported experiencing physical or mental health problems
that affect their daily lives. Despite this, most Filipinos surveyed are not
taking enough preventive action.
On average, more than half of the
survey respondents engage in only 5 out of 17 recommended preventive health
measures that can support a longer, healthier life. Critical indicators of
long-term health—such as muscle mass and oxygen uptake—are monitored by just
16% of participants. These metrics are scientifically linked to longevity and
overall vitality yet remain largely overlooked.
Despite this, 74% believe their
current health habits are sufficient to protect their health as they age.
“There is a clear gap between
awareness and action. Filipinos understand the importance of health, but many
are not taking the necessary steps to protect it,” added Hora. “This disconnect
could lead to long-term vulnerabilities, which will be challenging to address
later in life. To bridge this gap, we encourage Filipinos to take more
proactive steps, such as scheduling regular check-ups, adopting healthier
lifestyle habits, and seeking guidance from healthcare professionals, to help
safeguard their overall health and well-being.”
Filipinos face a
retirement savings gap
The survey also highlighted the
strong relationship between financial stability and health outcomes. A
significant 80% of respondents believe that their financial well-being directly
affects how long they can remain physically healthy. Similarly, 76% say it
impacts their mental health and emotional resilience.
However, despite this awareness,
the average retirement savings among Filipinos is only PHP 630,000—16% of the
PHP 3.85 million they estimate they will need to retire comfortably.
“Filipinos recognize that wealth
and health are deeply connected,” said Aira Gaspar, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife
Investments Philippines. “However, their current savings and investment
behaviors do not necessarily reflect this awareness. The gap between what they
have saved and what they will need could compromise their ability to live
independently and with dignity in later years.”
Retirement planning: A
shift in priorities, but gaps remain
When it comes to preparing for
retirement, cash remains king for many Filipinos. The survey found that 66%
view keeping their money in cash or fixed deposits as one of their top 2
priorities, while 51% express they want to invest in property. However, more
than half (54%) also expressed a desire for steady income streams during
retirement—something that cash-heavy portfolios may not be able to provide,
especially in the face of inflation and rising healthcare costs.
“We are seeing a shift in how
Filipinos think about retirement,” Gaspar noted. “While they are starting to
realize that relying solely on property or savings may not be enough, many
still hold excessive cash, which raises their longevity risk or the risk that
they might outlive their savings, particularly in the face of potential longer
life expectancy.
Gaspar added, “At Manulife
Investments, we empower Filipinos to create more holistic wealth portfolios by
giving them diverse and affordable investment choices, which they can use as
building blocks to mobilize their savings, receive recurring income streams and
achieve financial independence throughout their lifetime. Today, Filipinos can
choose from our suite of 22 unit investment trust funds (UITFs), including six
income-paying UITFs, spanning multi-asset, fixed income, equity and real estate
investment trusts (REITs) asset classes that can be accessed for as little as
Php1,000.”
The value of professional financial
advice is also evident in the data: 70% of those who work with financial
planners believe they will have enough funds for retirement, compared to only
38% of those without such guidance.
Supporting Filipinos’
fresh definition of Longevity
As Philippine life expectancy
continues to increase in the coming years, the need for comprehensive health
and wealth planning becomes critical.
"The message from Filipinos is
clear—they want to age with dignity, maintain their independence, and have the
financial freedom to do what matters to them," Hora concluded. "At
Manulife, we are committed to evolving our products and services to support
this vision. That means offering solutions that go beyond medical and critical
illness coverage to address health protection needs and offering investment
options that can provide reliable income streams for a better, more fulfilling
life.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Resources:
●
Manulife Asia Care Survey 2025 - https://www.manulife.com.ph/about-us/manulife-studies/asia-care-survey/2025/top-wish-of-filipinos-in-golden-years.html
●
National life expectancy - https://population.un.org/wpp/
