● Global
research, advocacy and community investment platform created to advance
innovation that will reimagine aging and lifelong well-being
● Initial actions include new research with Milken Institute,
Longevity Symposiums across global markets, and more
Manulife announced the launch of the Longevity Institute, a global platform that will seek to drive action to
help people live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives. Backed
by a $350 million commitment, the Longevity Institute will work to champion
research, innovation, and partnerships that will help people thrive at every
age.
As a global leader in life insurance, asset management, and
retirement planning, Manulife is deeply invested in the health and well-being
of its customers. However, the gap between how long people live (lifespan) and
their quality of life (healthspan) is widening — with
many spending up to 20% of their lives in poor health, and nearly 40% facing
financial insecurity as they age[1]. The
Longevity Institute aims to close this gap by reimagining how people live,
work, learn, and contribute throughout their lives.
“Empowering
health, wealth, and longevity is central to Manulife’s bold new ambition. It
aligns with our values and our commitment to the communities we operate in, and
we are uniquely placed to help individuals and families navigate the growing
gap between lifespan and healthspan,” said Phil Witherington, President and
CEO of Manulife. “For generations now, Manulife has supported customers at
every stage of life, and we see a powerful opportunity to scale our expertise and help even more people live longer,
healthier, better lives. Through the Longevity Institute, we will partner with
organizations that share our purpose, unlock new insights, drive innovation,
and create a future where everyone can thrive—at any age.”
The Longevity Institute will focus
on igniting global research and thought leadership to better understand
how people can flourish as they live longer; accelerating innovation and
advocacy through initiatives that promote health, wellness, and financial
readiness; and investing in community partnerships that advance
knowledge, promote equity, and drive action around longevity.
Steve Finch,
President & CEO, Manulife Asia
said, “With the demographic shifts in Asia, where one in four people
will be over the age of 60 by 2050, it's crucial to rethink traditional
approaches to financial planning, health care, and workforce participation. At
Manulife, we are committed to driving innovation that promotes long-term
financial resilience, equitable healthy aging, and lifelong fulfillment. By
supporting early-stage innovations and providing comprehensive solutions, we
aim to help people live better for longer and secure their financial futures.”
Initiatives
Manulife has a long history of driving impact through programs,
products, services, and community investments dating back to 1888, when
Manulife gifted an ambulance to the City of Toronto—its first act of public
service to help people live longer, healthier lives.
To mark the launch of the Institute and build on our long
history of impact, Manulife is pleased to share new and ongoing initiatives
that reflect our commitment to advancing longevity through meaningful action:
●
Partnering
with the National Institute of Ageing:
Manulife is supporting the National
Institute on Ageing’s
annual Ageing in Canada Survey, conducted in partnership with Toronto
Metropolitan University. This important research explores the lived experiences
of Canadians aged 50+ to inform policies that promote healthy aging.
●
Partnering
with the Milken Institute:
Manulife has supported the Milken Institute to advance thought leadership and
research on some of the most critical issues shaping longevity and the future
of health. Feeding Change's work and recent policy brief highlight opportunities for strengthening resilient
fruit and vegetable production and integrating food into health
interventions. The Future of Aging initiative and new report, Longevity Ready: A Systems Approach to Aging Well at Home,
elevates solutions enabling current and future generations to prepare for
longer, healthier lives in their homes and communities.
●
Longevity
Symposiums: The Manulife and John Hancock
Longevity Symposiums began in Boston two years ago and are now expanding globally. Recently, Manulife Singapore and Manulife Philippines hosted inaugural events in Asia, bringing together
healthcare experts, industry leaders, financial consultants, customers, and
partners—to explore how people can live not just longer, but better. John
Hancock will host its third Longer. Healthier. Better. Longevity
Symposium in the U.S. in April 2026.
The launch of the Longevity Institute quickly follows John
Hancock’s inaugural Longevity Preparedness Index — developed with MIT AgeLab, which measures how ready U.S.
adults are to thrive as they age. This index will expand to cover Canada in
future years and provides insights that support the need for continued
longevity advancements and innovations.
Outcomes
The Longevity Institute will build upon Manulife’s existing
efforts to help more than 36 million customers improve
their health and wealth. This work aims to drive the following outcomes:
● Health: Help people make everyday choices that support their
physical, mental, and emotional well-being—through better nutrition, early
detection, movement, and mental health support that fits into real life.
● Wealth: Empower people to feel confident about their financial
future, with tools, education, and support that help them weather life’s ups
and downs and build lasting financial security.
A comprehensive list of the Institute’s work and
partnerships to date can be found in this fact sheet. The Institute will be known as the John Hancock Longevity
Institute in the United States. For more information on the Longevity
Institute, and to stay up to date on the Institute’s actions, insights, and
events through 2030, visit Manulife.com/Longevity.
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