Manulife’s Asia Care Survey 2026 shows a clear shift in mindset: people across Asia increasingly see independence, good health, financial self-reliance and freedom from dependency, as the most meaningful inheritance they can leave their families, helping to avoid becoming a burden on loved ones.
Independence, the new inheritance
Based on responses from more than 9,000 adults across nine Asian markets, the survey highlighted a less discussed reality of longevity.
On average, respondents estimated that around 13 to 14 years in the later stages of life may be spent needing care or financial support, raising concerns about dependence and the strain it can place on loved ones.
Against this backdrop, traditional ideas of inheritance are being redefined. More than 80% of people across Asia said maintaining independence and financial freedom is more important than merely passing on wealth, while nearly nine in 10 said their goal in a longer life was to remain self-sufficient for as long as possible.
Independence is increasingly viewed not just as a personal choice, but as a way to protect family members from the emotional and financial burden of caregiving.
People’s desire to see independence as a legacy to be passed on is strongest in markets such as Indonesia (93%) and Vietnam (89%), and is comparatively lower, but still held by a clear majority, in Japan (63%).
“Across Asia, people are redefining what it means to leave something behind for the next generation,” said Manulife Asia CEO Steve Finch.
“Independence has become the new and better legacy – because when people can take care of their own health and finances, they preserve their dignity while freeing their families to live their own lives.”
Good health the foundation of independence, but action lags
For many, the first line of defence against care dependency on their families is good health. Two-thirds of people across Asia now prioritise health and quality of life above all else, recognising that staying healthy for longer is the most effective way to achieve meaningful independence in later years.
Awareness, however, is not always matched by action. While preventive care and early screenings are widely recognised as critical, with more than 80% agreeing they help preserve independence, practice still lags awareness.
About half receive regular comprehensive health check-ups, and one in 10 have never had one. Fewer than 50% maintain a consistent exercise routine or balanced diet, highlighting a growing gap between intention and preparedness.
Financial self-reliance replaces reliance on children
With 89% of people across Asia prioritising financial independence and self-sufficiency for as long as possible without reliance on others’ help, respondents are allocating 68% of their total financial assets toward supporting their own independence, compared to only 32% earmarked for inheritance.
This is further reinforced by the fact that only 19% plan to rely on financial support from their children for retirement and care needs. Together, these findings underscore the strong emphasis on ensuring financial resources are effectively deployed to generate the returns needed to sustain long-term independence.
Only 51% of respondents, however, are using investments to fund their retirement and care need, suggesting that many are not fully leveraging the potential of investment returns to support the independence they value so highly.
This gap is even more pronounced in certain markets, including Japan (30%), China (40%) and Vietnam (43%), where significantly fewer individuals are relying on investments to meet their independence needs.
“There is a clear disconnect between what people want and how they are acting. Many are prioritising independence, yet underutilising investments that can help them achieve it,” said Manulife CEO of Wealth and Asset Management, Asia Fabio Fontainha.
“Too often, financial planning is approached as a choice between supporting one’s own independence and leaving a legacy, but that mindset can be limiting.”
Said Mr Fontainha, “When used effectively, investments can generate income, preserve capital and grow wealth over time. Individuals do not have to choose between living independently and creating a legacy, they can plan for both.”
Encouragingly, there are signs of progress as individuals begin to adapt their financial planning approaches.
Among those who have investments, insurance and savings plans, 40% are shifting toward income-generating investments, while 38% are increasing diversification across asset classes, reflecting a deliberate focus on building resilient portfolios to support long-term independence.
Retirement at 65 losing relevance
As concerns about dependency grow, the traditional concept of retirement is changing. The survey showed that 74% of people across Asia plan to continue working beyond the age of 65, not just for income, but to maintain independence and financial resilience.
Across the region, flexible part-time work is the most preferred post-65 arrangement, while many respondents in markets such as the Chinese Mainland (39%) and Japan (32%) prefer continuing to work full-time, highlighting that people choose different forms of work as they adapt to longer lives.
Taken together, these shifts reflect a broader rethinking of later-life work as an active way to stay engaged and independent.
Caregiving pressures make independence a family issue
The desire for independence also reflects today’s realities. Around half the people across Asia currently provide care or financial support to family members, and the impact is especially pronounced among the sandwich generation.
Six in 10 caregivers say these responsibilities already affect their ability to secure long-term health and financial independence for themselves, reinforcing why planning ahead is seen as a responsibility to the whole family, and not just the individual.