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.

Security Bank Wealth Highlights the Growing Need for Integrated Wealth Planning

Makati City, Philippines -- Building wealth is one thing. Preserving it, protecting it, and preparing it for the next generation is another.

As wealth grows, financial decisions become more interconnected. Investment opportunities must be weighed alongside risk management. Estate planning can affect business continuity. Succession decisions may shape how wealth is preserved and transferred for years to come.

Recognizing this growing complexity, Security Bank Wealth gathered clients in Manila and Davao for its 2026 Midyear Events, bringing together experts in investments, tax, legal, trust, and insurance to discuss how individuals and families can take a more integrated approach to managing wealth.

Themed “Building Resilient Wealth: An Integrated Approach to Income, Growth, Protection, and Legacy Planning,” the events explored the key pillars of long-term wealth management and why looking at them together matters more than ever.

Looking beyond market opportunities
The first panel focused on how investors can navigate an evolving global and local market environment while positioning their portfolios for both income and long-term growth.

Moderated by Chrissi Morillo, Head of Investment Strategy at Security Bank, the session featured Thomas Wu, Investment Strategist at Invesco; Rohini Chopra, Executive Director at J.P. Morgan Asset Management; Dion Ong, Head of APAC at Horizon Capital; and Basil Jason Go, Deputy Chief Investment Officer at Security Bank.

The discussion examined the global and Philippine economic outlook, investment opportunities across Asia, equity income strategies, and the long-term implications of artificial intelligence as an investment theme. Across the conversation, one message stood out: successful investing requires discipline, diversification, and a clear understanding of long-term objectives.

For clients, the session provided context on how market trends and opportunities can be translated into investment strategies aligned with their financial goals, risk appetite, and time horizon.

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."

VUL: The Entrepreneur’s Tool for Wealth Preservationi

MANILA, PH – April 2026 – For entrepreneurs, success is rarely linear. Income can peak in one season and soften in another, opportunities arrive without warning, and personal and professional risks are part of everyday decision-making. While building a business demands agility, preserving the wealth that comes with it calls for a different mindset – one anchored on protection, discipline, and long-term planning.

 

This is where Variable Unit-Linked (VUL) insurance becomes especially relevant for today’s entrepreneurs.

 

Protecting the business owner behind the business

Entrepreneurs are wired to take risks, but not all risks should be left unmanaged. At its core, a VUL is a life insurance plan designed to provide financial protection for loved ones and dependents, while also offering access to professionally managed investment funds that support long-term goals.

 

"Aside from growth, the starting point should always be protection,” said Ivan Corcuera, Head of Insurance Investments at Sun life Investment Management and Trust Corporation. “When coverage is aligned with real expenses and existing obligations, a VUL becomes a dependable safety net rather than just a financial add-on.”

 

For business owners, this protection can spell continuity as it ensures that family finances remain stable, debts are covered, and the business has breathing room should something unexpected happen. While the fund value may fluctuate, the insurance benefit remains a constant layer of security.

 

Built for the unpredictability of entrepreneurial income

Entrepreneurial life rarely means steady cashflows. Earnings can rise quickly during expansion phases and dip during periods of reinvestment. One of the defining advantages of a VUL is its ability to adapt to these shifts.

 

Premium structures and investment allocations can be reviewed over time, allowing the plan to evolve alongside changing financial priorities. When income increases or surplus funds become available, entrepreneurs may opt to add top‑ups to strengthen the policy’s investment component.

 

“Many policyholders overlook how powerful top‑ups can be,” Corcuera said. “They give entrepreneurs a way to put excess cash to work for the long term without having to restructure their entire plan.”

 

Preserving wealth beyond day‑to‑day operations

 

For entrepreneurs, wealth preservation is about more than accumulating assets. It involves managing risk, diversifying beyond the business, and ensuring that value is protected across generations. With a significant portion of net worth often tied to the enterprise itself, balance becomes essential.

 

A VUL introduces that balance by pairing guaranteed insurance coverage with access to professionally managed investment funds. While market movements are inevitable, a long‑term perspective helps entrepreneurs avoid reactive decisions that could derail future plans.

 

“Short‑term volatility is part of investing,” Corcuera shared. “What’s important is having a strategy you can commit to over time and making adjustments deliberately instead of reacting to every market swing.”

 

With proper planning, VUL can support long‑range objectives such as education funding, retirement preparation, and legacy or estate considerations—areas that become increasingly important as businesses mature.

 

Why ongoing guidance matters

Since a VUL blends insurance and investments, clarity and guidance play a critical role in maximizing its value. Entrepreneurs who approach it with a clear understanding of its purpose are more likely to stay on track.

 

“VULs are not set‑and‑forget solutions,” Corcuera explains. “Regular check‑ins with an advisor help ensure that protection remains sufficient and that the investment strategy still reflects where the client is in life and in business.”

 

With the backing of a trusted institution like Sun Life, entrepreneurs gain not just a financial product, but a long‑term partner that supports them through changing markets and life stages.

 

Preserving today, preparing for what comes next

Entrepreneurship is about building something that lasts – whether it is a business, a secure future for one’s family, or a legacy that lasts beyond a single lifetime. While growth often captures attention, preservation is what sustains success.

 

When understood and utilized properly, a VUL is not simply an insurance policy or an investment option. It is a strategic tool that helps entrepreneurs protect what they have built, navigate uncertainty with confidence, and prepare thoughtfully for the milestones ahead.

 

To learn more about VUL, visit www.sunlife.co/VUL101. Stay updated by following Sun Life Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.