Sun Life Study: Filipinos Consider Financial Security, Family Values, and Educational Opportunities as the Heart of Their Legacy

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (October 2026) – Filipinos are taking a more intentional approach to legacy planning, viewing it as more than simply passing on wealth. According to Sun Life Asia's latest study, Passing the Torch: When Legacy Means More Than Money, many Filipinos now see legacy as a combination of financial security, family values, and educational opportunities for future generations.

 

Legacy is about purpose, not just wealth

 

While 92% of Filipinos intend to leave financial assets or wealth to future generations, the study found that what they hope to leave behind goes beyond money. Educational opportunities emerged as the top legacy priority, cited by 56% of respondents, ahead of wealth and family traditions at 45% each.

 

Among those planning to transfer wealth, 61% want their assets invested for long-term growth, while 55% want them to support essential family needs and 53% want them to help fund education.

 

"Filipinos are increasingly viewing legacy through a broader lens," said JJ Moreno, Country Head and CEO of Sun Life Philippines. "The goal is no longer just to pass on wealth, but to create opportunities, share values, and give future generations the tools they need to succeed. That's a meaningful shift in how families think about long-term financial planning."

 

More Filipinos are turning intentions into plans

 

The research points to significant progress in legacy planning over the past year. Only 8% of respondents said they have no legacy plan in place, down from 25% in 2025. Meanwhile, 36% now have a fully documented and communicated legacy plan, a sharp increase from just 6% a year ago.

 

The Philippines also ranks among the strongest markets in Asia when it comes to formalized legacy planning, with the country's 36% rate of fully documented and communicated plans exceeding the regional average of 22%.

 

These gains are reflected in rising confidence, with 53% of respondents saying they feel fully or mostly prepared for their legacy, compared to 38% in 2025.

 

Preparing heirs is now a bigger concern than protecting assets

 

Despite greater planning activity, many respondents remain concerned about whether their wealth will endure across generations. More than eight in ten Filipinos (82%) worry that their wealth may not survive beyond the next generation.

 

Notably, the biggest concern is no longer market performance. Half of respondents (50%) said their primary worry is that beneficiaries may not be financially prepared to manage inherited wealth, surpassing concerns about market volatility (46%).

 

The findings were particularly pronounced among younger generations. While 71% of Gen Z and 73% of Millennials believe their wealth can positively impact future generations, 86% and 84%, respectively, also worry that it may not last beyond the next generation.

 

"The findings suggest that families recognize wealth preservation is not only about growing assets but also about preparing the people who will inherit them," Moreno said. "Financial knowledge, open conversations, and clear plans are becoming just as important as investment performance when building a lasting legacy."

 

Legacy conversations are happening, but many remain unfinished

 

The study found that 70% of respondents have had at least some legacy-related discussions within their families. However, only 25% said these plans have been communicated fully, highlighting a gap between starting the conversation and ensuring everyone understands the long-term plan.

 

At the same time, professional guidance is becoming increasingly important. While only 34% have already sought legacy-planning advice, another 50% said they would like to do so in the future. Trustworthiness and integrity emerged as the most important qualities when selecting an adviser, ranking even higher than expert knowledge.

 

Turning legacy intentions into lasting impact

 

Legacy planning is ultimately about more than transferring assets. The findings suggest that families can strengthen their plans by documenting their intentions, involving loved ones in meaningful discussions, and preparing future beneficiaries with the knowledge and confidence to manage what they will inherit. Starting these conversations and planning efforts early also gives families more time to align their goals, clarify responsibilities, and ensure their legacy can endure across generations.

 

“The strongest legacies are not defined by the wealth that is passed on, but by how well future generations are prepared to carry that legacy forward,” Moreno added. “When families take the time to prepare heirs, they give their legacy the best chance to endure for generations.”

 

The full report of the key findings in the Philippines is available upon request.

 

To learn more about Sun Life Philippines’ products and services, visit www.sunlife.com.ph. Stay updated by following @sunlifeph on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Manulife Philippines Launches Wealth Guarantee Plus with Higher, Longer Guaranteed Returns

MANILA, Philippines—Manulife Philippines, the local arm of leading international financial services Manulife today announced the launch of Wealth Guarantee Plus, a limited-time, single-payment life insurance plan designed to help customers secure predictable income while preserving their capital and maintaining life insurance protection. The plan provides guaranteed annual cash payouts of up to 5%¹ for seven years, returns the full premium at the end of the term, and includes life insurance coverage throughout the 7-year policy period, giving customers greater certainty as they plan for future financial needs.

The plan offers higher cash payouts over a longer period compared with earlier versions of Wealth Guarantee. For example, a customer who pays a single premium of PHP 3 million will receive PHP 150,000 annually for seven years, with the full PHP 3 million returned at the end of the seventh year. The plan also provides life insurance coverage equivalent to 125% of the single premium for seven years.

The launch reflects a broader shift in how Filipinos think about financial planning and legacy. Manulife's Asia Care Survey 2026 found that 88% of Filipinos believe their own independence and financial freedom is the inheritance they want to leave their families, while nine in 10 aspire to remain self-sufficient for as long as possible. As more Filipinos seek ways to fund their future without relying on others, predictable income and capital-preserving solutions are becoming an increasingly important part of long-term financial planning.

“Filipino customers work hard to build their wealth, and they want solutions that offer both certainty and confidence,” said Rahul Hora, President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Philippines. “Wealth Guarantee Plus helps meet that need by providing guaranteed annual cash payouts over seven years, full premium return at maturity, and life insurance protection throughout the plan’s term. This reflects Manulife’s commitment to helping Filipinos protect what they have built, plan with greater confidence, and achieve clear, dependable financial outcomes at every stage of life.”

With returns guaranteed by the policy and not dependent on market performance, Wealth Guarantee Plus gives customers greater certainty over their income for a defined period. This can help them plan more confidently for key financial goals, from education funding to retirement income and other long-term needs. 

Wealth Guarantee Plus requires a minimum single premium of PHP 300,000 and is now available through Manulife financial advisors nationwide. 

1 The 5% rate applies to single premiums of PHP 3 million and above. A 4.75% rate applies to single premiums below that. Guaranteed payouts and premium return are payable for as long as the insured person is living.

Sun Life Strengthens High-Net-Worth Advisory Capabilities as 100 Advisors Complete Exclusive CTEP Certification Program

MANILA, PH – (July 2026) – Marking a significant milestone in its commitment to elevating expertise within its high-net-worth advisory team, Sun Life Philippines announced that 100 financial advisors have successfully completed an exclusive delivery of the Chartered Trust and Estate Planner (CTEP) program. 

 

A specialized program, CTEP equipped participating advisors with advanced knowledge across six comprehensive modules covering estate planning fundamentals, estate taxation, wills and trust strategies, gifting and life insurance planning, business succession arrangements, and special powers of attorney.

 

Delivered by seasoned financial industry experts, the CTEP curriculum combined comprehensive theoretical knowledge with practical case studies, enabling advisors to apply learning immediately to real-world client scenarios involving business succession, philanthropic structuring, and incapacity planning.

 

"This program represents our commitment to ensuring our advisors possess world-class expertise in wealth preservation and legacy planning," said JJ Moreno, Country Head and CEO of Sun Life Philippines. "As Asia approaches an unprecedented intergenerational wealth transfer, our advisors need to be equipped not just with product knowledge, but with sophisticated planning strategies that address the complex concerns of affluent families. These 100 advisors now hold globally recognized credentials that reflect the caliber of guidance we can provide."

 

The CTEP cohort contributes to Sun Life's sustained investment in advisor development, positioning them among the Philippines' most qualified trust and estate planning professionals. The designation validates their expertise across critical wealth management disciplines and enhances client confidence in their advisory capabilities.

 

This also aligns strategically with Sun Life's recent launch of Sun Life Premier Legacy, a comprehensive financial solution designed for affluent Filipinos seeking structured wealth preservation and multi-generational continuity.

 

"Our advisors are our greatest asset in serving the high-net-worth segment," Moreno added. "By continuously investing in their professional development, we ensure Sun Life remains the trusted partner for families navigating complex wealth transfer and legacy preservation decisions."