Wealth and legacy: Sun Life launches new product for Filipinos planning the next chapter

MANILA, Philippines — For many Filipino families who have spent decades building businesses, properties and financial security, one difficult question often remains unanswered: what happens to that wealth in the next generation?

As Asia prepares for an estimated US$5.8 trillion intergenerational wealth transfer by 2030, Sun Life of Canada (Philippines) Inc. is responding to a growing need among affluent families with the launch of Sun Life Premier Legacy—a financial solution designed to help preserve wealth, protect family harmony, and create a smoother path for passing on assets to future generations.

The launch signals a stronger focus by Sun Life on the country’s high-net-worth market, particularly families whose concerns now go beyond simply growing wealth. Many are thinking about continuity: how to safeguard what they have built, support the next generation, and avoid the conflicts or confusion that often come with inheritance.

Wealth built over years, but plans left unfinished

Sun Life’s proprietary research, titled Passing the Torch, revealed a striking gap between what wealthy Filipinos worry about and what they have actually prepared for.

While 81% said they fear their wealth may not be preserved beyond the next generation, only 18% said they feel fully prepared with legacy arrangements already in place.

Even more telling, only 6% said they have completed and clearly communicated their legacy plans, while 25% admitted they have nothing in place at all.

The study also showed that although 64% are aware of wills and estate planning documents, only 32% are actively using them.

“The numbers tell a compelling story,” said JJ Moreno, country head and CEO of Sun Life Philippines.

“Filipino families recognize the importance of legacy planning, with 77% saying that ensuring family financial security is their top priority. However, most haven't translated that awareness into action. This represents both an urgent need and a significant market opportunity.”

Fears families carry

Behind the statistics are very real concerns shared by many Filipino families.

Among Philippine respondents in the survey of over 3,000 people across six Asian markets, 64% said they worry their heirs may not be financially prepared to manage inherited wealth. Nearly half, or 49%, fear family disputes over assets, while 41% cited market volatility as a threat to preserving value.

These concerns often reflect years of hard work and sacrifice—and the hope that what was earned will continue to benefit children and grandchildren rather than become a source of stress.

A solution for continuity

Sun Life Premier Legacy was developed to help address these anxieties through structured benefit distribution, governance continuity, and clearer succession planning.

For Sun Life, the offering is more than a new product. It is part of a broader commitment to help affluent Filipino families navigate one of the most personal financial decisions they will make: how to pass on not just wealth, but stability and purpose.

“This isn't simply a product launch. It's a statement of intent about serving a market at a critical inflection point,” Moreno said.

“With trillions in wealth set to transfer across Asia, and Filipino families expressing clear anxiety about preservation and preparedness, Sun Life Premier Legacy positions us as the partner equipped to guide families through this complexity with sophistication, discretion, and foresight.”

Built for complex wealth transfer scenarios

The solution delivers substantial life insurance coverage from day 1 to age 100, creating immediate liquidity for critical wealth preservation needs including estate settlement, business succession, and family asset protection.

Sun Life Premier Legacy is structured around three strategic pillars:

Wealth Protection and Legacy Architecture – Substantial coverage designed to preserve estate value, maintain business continuity, and provide liquidity at critical transition points

Governance and Continuity Planning – Built-in safeguards ensuring seamless transitions and clear decision-making protocols if the policy owner becomes incapacitated

Philanthropic Structuring – Enabling systematic charitable contributions aligned with family values and long-term social impact objectives, addressing the 43% of respondents who want to incorporate philanthropy into their legacy

Strategic features designed for legacy planning challenges

Two distinctive features position Sun Life Premier Legacy for these sophisticated planning scenarios:

The Legacy Settlement Option provides unprecedented flexibility in insurance benefit distribution, allowing policy owners to structure payouts to beneficiaries across specific time periods, or release in controlled installments, directly addressing concerns about their heirs’ financial readiness and wealth preservation discipline.

The Mental Incapacity Benefit, a first in the market feature, enables a pre-designated trusted individual to access defined benefits if the policy owner loses capacity to manage his plan due to illness or injury, ensuring family interests remain protected during vulnerable transition periods.

Sun Life Premier Legacy includes long-term value building through potential dividend earnings, complemented by VIP services including priority processing, select medical concierge services, and exclusive access to legacy planning forums.

For more information on Sun Life Premier Legacy, speak with your Sun Life Advisor or visit www.sunlife.co/PremierLegacy.

Editor’s Note: This press release from Sun Life is published by the Advertising Content Team that is independent from our Editorial Newsroom.