Manulife Asia Care Survey 2026: Independence is increasingly seen as the new "legacy" of Indonesian society

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JAKARTA - Indonesian society now interprets heritage no longer as mere assets or property left to the next generation. As life expectancy increases, independence, both in terms of health and finances, is increasingly seen as the most meaningful "inheritance" for families.

This is reflected in the Manulife Asia Care Survey 2026, which found that 93 percent of Indonesians view financial independence and freedom as a new "legacy" they want to give to their families. This figure is higher than the regional average of 82 percent.

This survey also shows that the average Indonesian people plan to allocate 60 percent of their financial assets to support personal independence, especially for future health and care needs, while the other 40 percent is to be inherited by their children and families.

"This finding indicates a shift in values within Indonesian families and this finding is in line with the broader trend that Manulife has observed over the past few years. As understanding of longevity has evolved, living a long life is no longer just interpreted as an opportunity to enjoy old age, but also as a responsibility to prepare to remain independent and not burden the next generation.

Lauren Sulistiawati, President Director & CEO of PT Asuransi Jiwa Manulife Indonesia, said that the findings of the Manulife Asia Care Survey 2026 showed that the Indonesian people are increasingly aware that living longer needs to be accompanied by more mature preparation. Independence in old age is now seen as one of the greatest forms of care that can be given to the family.

"When someone is able to maintain their health and financial readiness, they not only protect themselves, but also help the next generation to take a lighter step. For 41 years in Indonesia, Manulife is committed to accompanying the Indonesian people to prepare for a longer future with protection and solutions that help them live more independently and confidently," he said. , in a written statement, Monday, July 27.

The survey involved more than 9,000 respondents across Asia, including 1,000 respondents in Indonesia to study public views and attitudes regarding longevity, health, responsibility as caregivers, retirement readiness, and financial well-being.

Manulife Asia Care Survey 2026 also shows that for the Indonesian people, freedom in old age does not only mean having financial security, but also the ability to remain independent. This is reflected in the 65 percent of Indonesian respondents who interpret freedom as the ability not to be a burden on others. This finding confirms that independence is now seen as a form of concern for the family, because it gives space for the next generation to live their lives without financial burdens or excessive obligations to care for the elderly.

However, the aspiration to remain independent in old age is inseparable from real challenges. Manulife Asia Care Survey 2026 found that Indonesian people estimate that they will live about 13 to 14 years in old age with the need for health or financial care support. At the same time, about six out of ten Indonesian respondents are worried about their ability to finance future health care needs.

Health and Financial Planning Become the Foundation of Independence

In terms of health, 71 percent of Indonesian people named health and quality of life as the main priority in choosing independence compared to inheritance in the form of property. Awareness of the importance of prevention is also quite high, with about 89% of respondents believing that regular health checks and preventive measures can help maintain independence in retirement.

However, there is still a gap between awareness and action. The survey shows that 56 percent of Indonesian people have a thorough health check at least once a year, while 16 percent have never done it. In terms of self-care habits, about half of the respondents have maintained a balanced diet and exercise regularly, but only about a third have done early examinations and preventive measures to avoid chronic diseases.

Financial readiness is an important pillar in building long-term independence. The survey shows that 87 percent of Indonesian people plan to rely on personal savings to finance retirement and care needs, while 73 percent plan to rely on investments. On the other hand, only one-third of Indonesian respondents still expect financial support from children in retirement. This shows a shift from dependence on child support to personal responsibility in preparing for old age.

Afifa, CEO & President Director of PT Manulife Aset Manajemen Indonesia said, this finding shows that the Indonesian people are increasingly aware of the importance of preparing financial independence so as not to become a burden on the next generation.

"However, relying solely on savings is not enough to meet the needs of living in retirement, which is getting longer, the cost of health care continues to increase, and the need for sustainable income. Therefore, a careful investment plan, according to the risk profile and carried out with discipline, is a must., "he said.

Sandwich Generation Faces Bigger Challenges

The survey also highlights the challenges faced by Indonesian people who have family responsibilities. As many as 62 percent of Indonesian people have family care responsibilities, much higher than the regional average in Asia which reaches 52 percent. In addition, 68 percent of Indonesian respondents also have financial responsibilities towards their families, with the age group of 35-44 years being one of the most affected.

This responsibility affects people's ability to build their own independence. The survey shows that more than 69 percent of respondents who have family care or financial responsibilities feel that this condition has an impact on their ability to achieve long-term independence. This impact is felt more in the 25-34 age group and the sandwich generation, namely the group that must support parents as well as children or other family members.

"For many Indonesian families, the current challenge is not only preparing their own future, but also supporting the needs of parents and children at the same time. These findings show that building independence is becoming increasingly important, as well as more challenging. Therefore, long-term health and financial care planning needs to start as early as possible. Independence is not built overnight, but through consistent steps, from maintaining health, having adequate protection, to preparing a good financial future," explained Lauren.

Independence Starts with Planning Together with the Family

Manulife Asia Care Survey 2026 also showed that communication with family is an important factor in building future readiness. As many as 82 percent of respondents believe that open conversations about retirement plans can have a positive impact on their future well-being, while 78 percent stated that they had started conversations about their needs and expectations in retirement.

Afifa added that independence as a new legacy requires collaboration between individual awareness, family support, and access to the right financial solutions.

"With good literacy and planning, people can be more confident in preparing for the future, maintaining dignity in old age, and at the same time providing space for the next generation to grow without excessive financial burdens," he explained.