MARCH 5, 2026 — Here’s a sobering yet familiar truth: most Filipinos don’t see retirement as the finish line — it’s just another lap in the race. A new Sun Life study revealed that 72 percent of Pinoys expect to keep working beyond age 65. That’s not just a statistic - it’s a mirror of our collective reality.

The motivations are telling. A whopping 71 percent said they’ll keep working simply because they need the income to survive. Daily expenses, long-term financial security, and the ever-present responsibility of family support weigh heavily. 

But it’s not all about money. 53 percent said they want purpose and fulfillment, 41 percent crave mental stimulation, and 36 percent value social connections. 

In short, retirement isn’t about rest — it’s about relevance.

Sun Life Philippines CEO Benedict Sison put it bluntly: “For those who are prepared, working longer can be a choice that offers flexibility and freedom. For others, it reflects financial pressure.” 

And that’s the divide — between the “Gold Star Planners” who retire on their own terms, and the “Stalled Starters” who delay retirement because their wallets won’t let them.

Among the Gold Star Planners, 73 percent said they’ll keep working by choice, motivated by staying active and socially engaged. Meanwhile, 20 percent of Stalled Starters remain uncertain, with half admitting they simply need to save more before they can even think of slowing down.

This divide is also more than personal — it’s demographic. The Asian Development Bank projects that by 2066, one-fifth of the Philippine population will be 60 and above. Imagine the strain on families, healthcare, and social systems when millions of seniors are still hustling just to make ends meet.

The survey also revealed that 47 percent of Filipinos who dread retirement cite financial insecurity as their biggest fear. Another 44 percent worry about supporting their families. 

And here’s the kicker: 25 percent of non-retirees make no retirement plans at all, while 37 percent only start planning two years before retirement. That’s like cramming for an exam the night before — and that rarely ends well.

Yet, despite the anxiety, optimism exists. About 26 percent feel confident about their retirement preparedness. And 86 percent believe retirement should be a personal choice, not a mandatory cutoff. Gen Z, in particular, is loud about this. 69 percent strongly agree that retirement should be flexible, compared to only 46 percent of Baby Boomers.

So what does this mean for us? It means the Filipino dream of retirement — rest, leisure, and freedom — is shifting. For many, it’s no longer about “retiring early” but “working smart” and “working longer.” It’s about redefining what retirement looks like in a country where family obligations, rising costs, and limited pensions collide.

The challenge now is clear: How do we build a culture of financial planning that empowers Pinoys to retire by choice, not by necessity?

How about you? Do you see yourself working past retirement because you want to — or because you have to?

(Image: Freepik)