Beyond Money: InLife Retirement Index shows what Filipinos need to prepare for retirement

This is far from ideal because retirement entails more than simply having enough money to go through one's senior years.  Retirement preparation is determined by a combination of six interrelated factors: life stage, personal finances, health, pension program membership, retirement sentiment, and social support.

This was the primary takeaway from the first-ever Retirement Index, created by InLife, the largest Filipino life insurance, as a comprehensive assessment of retirement preparedness. InLife developed the Index using a multi-method study approach that comprised integrated research, expert interviews with economists and psychologists, and survey data from a 1,000-person online quantitative survey aged 18 to 59.  Scores were calibrated on a 0-100 scale to facilitate interpretation.

“The Retirement Index shows us that Filipinos need to see retirement in a new light. It’s not just a financial milestone. It’s an emotional, social, and even cultural journey. If we only focus on money, we miss out on the other pillars that make retirement truly secure and meaningful. These data clearly indicate that retirement readiness requires conversation. Families, communities, and institutions must normalize talking about retirement. At InLife, that is what we are doing because we want our fellow Filipinos to be aware, more confident, and prepared so they can retire without worries. InLife, at 115 years old, continues to find solutions to Filipinos’ most pressing concerns. We are committed to empowering our fellowmen across generations so they can enjoy A Lifetime for Good.” ~Gae L. Martinez, InLife Chief Marketing Officer

Among the key findings from the InLife Retirement Index survey are: 

• Generation X scored the highest at 54, owing to their life stage. At this time, they are more mature, have more stable income, and are breadwinners, or married with dependents, which naturally require increased knowledge of financial planning. Younger, single, or childless individuals show significantly lower retirement preparedness with Gen Z scoring the lowest at 36. However, Gen Z, together with young millennials reported having clear plans about their future though they have yet to translate these into concrete retirement plans. 
• Insurance, investment ownership, and emergency preparedness boost retirement readiness. InLife policyholders scored significantly higher at 62 compared to non-policyholders who scored 42. Investment-oriented segments such as millennials, married individuals, and those with small families showed greater retirement preparedness as they built passive income streams, demonstrating long-term financial planning. In contrast, younger generations and single individuals who also support other family members face greater financial strain, and as a result, lower retirement preparedness. 
• Filipinos who are retirement ready are also more prepared for health emergencies. With chronic health conditions becoming rampant as one ages, it is important to have a separate fund for health concerns.  
• Pension program coverage is concentrated among married individuals and parents, leaving informal workers and singles vulnerable. With more Filipinos in the informal work sector, such as independent contractors, participation in state-sponsored pension plans such as SSS and GSIS is lower. Therefore, they are exposed to retirement and health risks in the future.            
• Filipinos who scored high on the retirement index had strong social support underscoring the emotional and social dimensions that drive engagement in retirement planning. 
• Women averaged 45 compared to men’s 49, highlighting gender disparity when it comes to retirement, with more men having full-time formal employment and investments. 

To assist Filipinos in planning their retirement, InLife offers Retire Assure, the country's first true retirement insurance policy.  Retire Assure guarantees a monthly income from age 60 or 65 until age 100.  It is payed over a five- or ten-year period, or until the age of 59 or 64, depending on desire.   It is further bolstered by cash dividends, which have the ability to grow over time to keep up with rising living costs.

Retire Assure 2, its 2-pay counterpart, is designed for persons who are reaching senior positions in their careers and choose long-term stability over market-driven uncertainty. It is meant for persons aged 48 to 73 and is paid in two annual installments. The insured will get a monthly income until they reach the age of 100, at which point the second payment is made. When the insured dies, the beneficiaries receive either the guaranteed cash value or 110% of the premiums paid (minus any prior payouts), whichever is greater.

Earlier this year, InLife released its retirement research titled "Retire Without Worries: Your Roadmap to Living Life to the Fullest." The paper emphasized the critical need for retirement planning in light of rising healthcare costs, longer life expectancy, and changing family structures, all of which make older Filipinos financially vulnerable.  It underlined the significance of thoughtful planning and proper support systems while facing the risk of outliving one's savings.

Be more retirement-ready. Try InLife’s Retirement Index Calculator at https://www.inlife.com.ph/retire-assure/retirement-readiness-index. To know more about InLife Retire Assure, visit https://www.inlife.com.ph/retire-assure. To read InLife’s Retirement white paper, visit https://bit.ly/RetireWithoutWorries. 

About InLife

InLife is the first, largest and only mutual Filipino life insurance company in the country with over 115 years of uninterrupted service. We apply over a hundred years of experience in financial protection, risk management, savings, and investment to help you make confident decisions for you and your loved ones.

 

Our policyholders can be assured of being protected by a company that has an asset base of over P158.9 billion and net worth of P44.3 billion. We have a nationwide presence through our 56 offices all over the country, and an expanded digital footprint to serve our customers, wherever and whenever they want. Our success is anchored on the well-being and security of our policyholders and beneficiaries, employees and financial advisors, partner companies and institutions, and host communities as we exist to offer A Lifetime for Good for everyone. For more information, visit https://www.inlife.com.ph/.

"Bahala na si Batman" won't work for retirement—InLife Dreamweaver Sharon Cuneta explains why

Sharon shared in her most recent vlog as part of InLife's Dreamweaver Stories that, while she does not plan to retire right away, she is considering it. She explains that one of the most important lessons she has learned from her years in show business and as a mother is the importance of planning ahead of time, particularly for retirement. 

“Think of it this way: If we can plan for the next chapter of our careers habang nagtatrabaho tayo, all the more we should plan for the next chapter of our lives. Start doing more for your future by doing less, by having a retirement income plan as early as your 30s or 40s. The younger you start, the more you will be able to save and the more your savings will grow. Pag sinabi mong retirement, tungkol sa pagtanda lang natin. No, it’s about wanting to finally be able to rest and kasama na doon yung living our lives to the fullest nang hindi na tayo nagtatrabaho. Minsan sa dami ng ginagawa natin, we just get caught up in the present. We work hard, we support ourselves and our families pero hindi natin napapansin na yung panahon natin para maghanda para sa sarili nating future ay slipping away. In 2023, Filipino households spent over PHP 600 billion out-of-pocket for healthcare. Dagdag pa natin dito ang projected inflation rate na 3% by 2029 - ito yung pagbaba ng value ng pera over time dahil tumataas ang cost of living. Lastly, ang mahirap pong i-predict is how much longer will we live. Kahit marami po tayong i-save, ang nakakatakot we will outlive our savings, lalo pa ngayon nag improve po talaga ang life expectancy dito sa Pilipinas. Mas humahaba ang buhay natin. This underlines the irony that while our lives continue to extend, there is so much to be done to financially prepare for those long retirement years. I know it’s in our culture na maraming Filipinos rely on their kids to take care of them in their old age. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful gift to our children kung hindi tayo magiging pabigat? We don’t want to be a burden to them pagdating ng araw. Para naman lahat tayo sa pamilya—especially our children—can live our lives with less worries. We have a chance to turn things around. Retirement planning, it’s intimidating di ba, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We need to think long term. Magplano para sa ating mga kinabukasan. As your InLife Dreamweaver, I’m more than happy to share that every Filipino can now retire without worries! The secret lies in having a steady stream of retirement income for life—one that complements your pensions and helps you avoid dipping into your personal savings, emergency funds, or retirement benefits. It’s designed to provide guaranteed monthly income starting at age 60 or 65, all the way until age 100. Simply put, parang tumatanggap ka pa rin ng sweldo kahit na tumigil ka na sa years and years of pagtatrabaho. What’s even better? This income has the potential to grow over time through additional cash dividends, offering protection against inflation. Ang dual benefit na ito—retirement income at life insurance—ay nagbibigay ng tunay na financial independence at peace of mind, hindi lang para sa’yo kundi pati sa mga mahal natin sa buhay. Lastly, it features guaranteed issuance—no medical evaluation needed, regardless of your health condition. Retirement isn’t about slowing down; it’s about starting an exciting new chapter. Let’s plan it right so we can live life to the fullest and retire without worries.” ~Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan, Megastar and InLife (Insular Life) Dreamweaver 

According to a recent retirement study commissioned by InLife, 80% of the country's senior citizens lack adequate financial resources once they retire. The survey respondents also stated that they would require a monthly retirement income of P25,000 to P50,000 to maintain their current lifestyle, which may not be the lifestyle retirees desire. Unexpected circumstances, often involving healthcare costs, may widen the gap between funds needed and available at retirement.

She also underscored the cultural practice of children being expected to take care of their parents. All these future concerns, she says, may be addressed by preparing ahead. 

Sharon then talks about InLife Retire Assure, the first true retirement insurance product in the country that has guaranteed benefits, is comprehensive, and has a hassle-free application process. 

Retire Assure includes guaranteed life insurance given to the insured’s beneficiaries in case of death. She encourages Filipinos to start saving for their retirement while they are still young. 

InLife Dreamweavers Sharon Cuneta- Pangilinan and youngest daughter Miel Pangilinan  have partnered with InLife for a series of videos and articles where they give tips on and talk about how they explore their passions, challenge their creativity and amplify InLife’s mission of providing A Lifetime For Good to its fellow Filipinos. Recently, Sharon shared her tips on saving in a video called “Mag-Sharon para sa Kinabukasan.”  As Filipinos traditionally bring home extra food after celebrations ("mag-Sharon"), InLife encourages them to 'mag-Sharon' for the future by saving and securing insurance like Megastar Sharon Cuneta, who emphasizes the importance of “financial planning for a secure tomorrow."

For more information on the InLife Retire Assure, visit https://bit.ly/InLifeRetireAssure. 

About The Insular Life Assurance Company, Ltd.

Insular Life (InLife) is the first and largest Filipino life insurance company in the country with over 114 years of uninterrupted service. We apply over a hundred years of experience in financial protection, risk management, savings, and investment to help you make confident decisions for you and your loved ones.

Our policyholders can be assured of being protected by a company that has an asset base of over P153 billion and net worth of P47.8 billion. We have a nationwide presence through our 56 offices all over the country, and an expanded digital footprint to serve our customers, wherever and whenever they want. Our success is anchored on the well-being and security of our policyholders and beneficiaries, employees and financial advisors, partner companies and institutions, and host communities as we exist to offer A Lifetime for Good for everyone. For more information, visit www.insularlife.com.ph. 

InLife and GCash Partnership Sees P196M Transactions in 2021, Raises Women’s Role in the Digital Economy

InLife and GCash Partnership

Insular Life (InLife) recorded P196 million worth of transactions made through GCash from January to December 2021. This came from forty-six thousand transactions that were recorded using the GCash app for payments for various InLife insurance products. 

InLife and GCash Partnership

But more than a channel to collect premium payments, the partnership between InLife and GCash serves a more meaningful purpose – inclusion. 

Nina D. Aguas, InLife Chairperson

“Our partnership with GCash, the largest FinTech platform in the country, is the latest and, by far, the widest net we are casting in our financial inclusion agenda for women. GCash breaks the barriers for the millions of the unbanked to avail themselves of financial services and health solutions at the most convenient and safe way.” ~Nina D. Aguas, InLife Chairperson

InLife term life insurance and accident insurance plans that do not need medical examinations are now available through GCash since last year.  It also made the affordable emergency prepaid cards of its health subsidiary, Insular Health Care (IHC), available through GLife. The move is in line with InLife’s advocacy of promoting financial inclusion and empowering women through technology.

InLife and GCash Partnership

• Empowering Women Through Financial Inclusion 

“The Covid-19 pandemic has shifted the attitudes and behavior favorably toward getting adequate healthcare and insurance coverage. And data shows that it is the women who are active seekers not necessarily for themselves, but for their husbands, children, or parents.” ~Nina D. Aguas, InLife Chairperson

She noted that because of its reach and wide use, GCash is very suitable in influencing the health and financial security of the bigger communities, especially those who are financially excluded.

In her message during the event, GCash President and CEO Martha Sazon said that their partnership with InLife has enabled them to bring affordable and accessible insurance coverage to everyday Filipinos.

“This has allowed them access to relevant products ranging from life insurance to health care coverage through InLife and InLife Health Care, respectively. We are providing more Filipinos access to get covered more quickly and conveniently, giving them and their loved ones peace of mind. This is another step forward in our pursuit of financial inclusion – where we strive to make financial services more accessible to all Filipinos, especially for the unbanked and underbanked. Through our app, they now have access to digital financial services – even as the banking penetration remains low. Usage of our app is at an all-time high, as people now think of GCash as a digital life hack and more than just an e-wallet.” ~Martha Sazon, GCash President and CEO

• Inspired by the Sheroes Movement

IHC President and CEO Noemi G. Azura disclosed that their experience in the InLife Sheroes Movement, InLife’s women’s advocacy program, made them realize the importance of digital channels to reach Filipino women.

In a nationwide study conducted by InLife in 2018 for its Sheroes program, it learned that Filipino women are the primary caregivers in the family, including extended ones. 

Martha Sazon, GCash President and CEO

"We realized that online storefronts are viable distribution channels to reach more women who are looking for affordable protection products for life and health for their family. While tech is not usually a field women are associated with, our team at GCash is proof that it can happen – with women making up around half of our employee base.” ~Noemi G. Azura, IHC President and CEO

She added that digital technology is effective in terms of promoting awareness about the program, and in delivering educational activities on health and personal finance.

Ms. Sazon said that they are celebrating their partnership at a special time – Women’s Month.

• Addressing Challenges in Financial Inclusion

Noemi G. Azura, IHC President and CEO

“It is our hope that millions of Filipinos will enjoy peace of mind knowing that they have life and health insurance coverage for themselves and their loved available through GCash.” ~Nina D. Aguas, InLife Chairperson

During the launch, InLife and GCash executives also took the time to discuss the challenges of financially empowering women and how both companies can address them.

InLife and GCash Partnership

Insular Health Care Head of Sales and Marketing Division Tricci Rose A. Sadian; InLife Vice President and Head of Digital Sales Distribution Geraldine G. Pascual; and GCash Assistant Vice President and Head of Financial Services, Distribution, BPO & CICO for Enterprise Kim Pineda shared their insights on financial inclusion for women. They also discussed the various products and services of InLife and GCash that cater to women.

About The Insular Life Assurance Company, Ltd

Insular Life (InLife) is the first, largest, and only mutual Filipino life insurance company in the country with over 111 years of uninterrupted service. We apply over a hundred years of experience in financial protection, risk management, savings, and investment to help you make confident decisions for you and your loved ones. 

As a mutual life insurance company, our accountability is to our policyholders.  They can be assured of being protected by a company that has an asset base of over P148 billion and net worth of P37 billion. We have a nationwide presence in 53 branches all over the country, and an expanded digital footprint to serve our customers, wherever and whenever they want. Our success is anchored on the growth and security of our partners, policyholders and beneficiaries, because we exist to offer a lifetime for good for everyone. For more information, visit www.insularlife.com.ph.

About GCash

GCash (G-Xchange, Inc.) is the #1 Financial App in the Philippines. Through the GCash App, customers can easily purchase prepaid airtime; pay bills at over 1.3k partner billers; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines, even to other bank accounts; purchase from over 4.5M partner merchants and social sellers; cash-in and cash-out at over 170k partner agents; and get access to savings, credit, insurance and invest money all at the convenience of their smartphones. GCash is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mynt (Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc.).

GCash was recognized by The Asian Banker (TAB) and by the IDC in 2021 for its outstanding digital financial inclusion programs impacting more than 55 million Filipinos in the country today.