FINANCIAL well-being is growing in priority for Filipinos planning for their futures, Manufacturers Life Insurance Co., Inc. (Manulife) said, citing the results of a study.
“Filipinos are redefining what it means to live a good life. 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,” Manulife Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer Rahul Hora said in a statement on Monday.
Manulife’s Asia Care Survey 2025 surveyed 1,000 Filipinos in the January-February period.
For their older years, 26% of respondents selected financial independence as their top priority, while 17% selected physical and mental health as well as staying socially active. Only 13% of respondents named longevity as their priority.
“Life expectancy is (expected) to keep increasing by default. As such, having total financial freedom, and maintaining physical, mental, and social health are valued more deeply,“ Manulife said.
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, and 74% believe their current health habits are sufficient to protect their health as they age.
“These preventive actions include drinking an appropriate amount of water per day recommended by health professionals, taking vitamins and other supplements, reducing stress and anxiety by maintaining work-life balance, having the amount of sleep per day recommended by health professionals, and maintaining a healthy body weight,” Manulife said.
Only 16% of respondents said they monitor muscle mass and oxygen uptake, 17% grip and leg strength, 19% sleep respiratory rate, 25% balance, and 28% mobility.
“These metrics are scientifically linked to longevity and overall vitality yet remain largely overlooked,” it said.
“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. 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,” Mr. Hora said.
The survey also found that 80% of respondents believe that their financial well-being directly affects how long they can remain physically healthy, while 76% say it impacts their mental health and emotional resilience.
“However, despite this awareness, the average retirement savings among Filipinos is only P630,000 — 16% of the P3.85 million they estimate they will need to retire comfortably,” Manulife said. — Aaron Michael C. Sy