Forget Living Forever, Live Well ✨
Let’s be real — no one’s out here trying to live forever if it means being broke, burnt out, or bored. And according to Manulife Malaysia’s new 2025 Asia Care Survey (ACS), Malaysians totally get that. Turns out, the vibes have shifted: we’re prioritising how well we live, not just how long.
The survey — which talked to 1,000 Malaysians — found that 7 in 10 people believe their financial wellbeing affects not just their stress levels, but also how long they’ll live. In short: your wallet and your health are besties.
“In Malaysia, we’re seeing a powerful shift in how people define a good life. It’s no longer just about how long we live, but how well we live. Our role is to make decisions easier by connecting health and financial confidence, so people can live better, not just longer,” said Vibha Coburn, CEO of Manulife Malaysia.
🧘♀️ Quality Over Quantity: The New Longevity Flex
Here’s where it gets interesting — Malaysians’ “ideal” lifespan is only 68 years, even though the national average is 76. That doesn’t mean we’re pessimistic — it means we’d rather have a shorter, meaningful life than just exist longer. Think: less “eternally tired” energy, more “main character in your 60s” vibe.
Nearly 8 in 10 Malaysians define “being healthy” as being independent — not being disease-free, but being able to live life on your own terms. In other words, health now means being able to go out, explore, and still pay your own bills.
And that’s where things get a little real. Almost half of us are worried about running out of money before we die, and over 60% expect to rely solely on the public retirement scheme and government healthcare. The problem? That might not be enough.
“When people say being ‘healthy’ is about independence, they are connecting physical wellbeing to financial security. If financial stress undermines that independence, health itself is compromised,” Coburn added.
💸 The Cash Comfort Trap
Here’s the tea: Malaysians love cash. Like, really love it. The ACS found that cash makes up half of Malaysians’ total liquid assets — which sounds safe, but it’s kinda risky. Why? Inflation. Your RM10 today might buy you less nasi lemak tomorrow.
Even though most people want a steady income after retirement, only 29% are thinking about diversifying their investments. That’s like saying you want to win a race but only training one leg.
“It’s no surprise that the survey shows people wanting steady income and resilience. Yet, many Malaysians rely heavily on cash, which doesn’t foster resilience. Cash, if just left idle, will inevitably be eroded by inflation over time,” said Jason Chong, CEO of Manulife Investments Malaysia.
Jason’s advice? Don’t freak out — start small. Talk to a financial adviser, explore investments that give recurring income, and remember: staying invested long-term is how you make your money work for you.
🌱 The Big Picture
At the end of the day, it’s not about chasing youth — it’s about chasing freedom. Financial freedom. Emotional freedom. The freedom to live well and age on your own terms.
Manulife Malaysia’s message is simple: the future of ageing is about thriving, not surviving. And with better financial planning, a healthy lifestyle, and a little bit of soy latte optimism, we might just pull it off.
TL;DR:
💰 Money = Health = Freedom
🧠 Quality of life > Length of life
🔥 Diversify, don’t just save
🕊️ Ageing well is the new glow-up
So yeah, live better — not just longer.
