Singapore’s wealthy embrace a more fluid future for work, wealth and retirement

Findings from “The New Fluidity” report indicate that many high-net-worth (HNW) respondents in Singapore are adapting their lifestyles and investment strategies to longer lifespans, but fewer are taking the steps needed to prepare their wealth and families for the decades ahead.

Singapore, 18 August 2026 – Longevity is fundamentally transforming how high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) in Singapore¹ approach wealth planning, according to new research, The New Fluidity, by Manulife and FT Longitude. Rather than simply funding retirement, wealth is increasingly being structured to support decades of evolving ambitions, responsibilities and risks.

The Manulife Asia Care Survey 2026 unveiled these findings as Singaporeans are living longer than ever. The survey interviewed 1,074 respondents in Singapore. 

Retirement is no longer the end goal for the HNW

Traditional notions of retirement are giving way to more fluid, multi-phase lives – what the report describes as “portfolio lives”, where HNWIs continue to divide their time, energy and capital across multiple roles, ventures and priorities. More than half of the Singapore-based HNWIs surveyed (57%) want to work beyond retirement age, including 30% who plan to work for as long as possible. After stepping away from their primary careers, many expect to remain actively engaged by taking on advisory roles (35%), and pursuing new ventures (24%). These findings suggest that retirement is a transition into a new phase of life defined by continued productivity, autonomy and stewardship.

Nearly two-thirds (64%) agree that longer life expectancy has made adaptability and optionality more important than wealth accumulation alone, while 57% are redesigning their portfolios to support a more flexible lifestyle.

This shift is particularly significant in an increasingly globalised environment. More than half (53%) of HNW respondents in Singapore hold significant assets or residency rights across multiple jurisdictions, adding further complexity to financial decision-making.

Wealth planning remains fragmented despite growing awareness

While HNW respondents in Singapore are becoming more responsive to change, wealth planning remains uneven in execution. On the one hand, 68% say that market, geopolitical or tax developments are prompting them to update their plans more frequently, and about two-thirds (69%) are building backup plans for different scenarios.

Yet only 16% currently have a fully integrated wealth plan – one that connects investments, retirement income, health insurance coverage, and succession planning. This fragmentation is reflected in their preparedness. Income sustainability (59%) and healthcare costs (55%) rank among their top concerns, yet fewer than half feel well prepared for major unexpected medical expenses, cross-border healthcare costs or cognitive decline.

Although 70% say they would benefit from a single trusted adviser who can coordinate the different aspects of their wealth planning, the findings point to a broader need for more connected and proactive advice.

“For HNW families, wealth planning is no longer a straight line from accumulation to retirement to succession,” said Benoit Meslet, Chief Executive Officer of Manulife Singapore. “These decisions are increasingly happening together, from drawing income and funding healthcare needs to supporting the next generation and planning wealth transfer. A single trusted advisor can help bring these priorities together, identify how one decision may affect another, and adapt the plan as a family’s needs evolve.”

Succession planning emerges as a critical blind spot in wealth planning

Longer lives do not simply extend the period for which wealth must last. They also extend the period during which wealth creators, family members and future heirs need to make decisions together. 38% cite preserving wealth across multiple generations as a key longevity-related concern, while 37% are concerned about business continuity and succession, underscoring the growing importance of legacy planning.

One of the biggest risks facing HNW families today is that their wealth may be transferred faster than families are prepared for. Despite recognising the importance of succession planning, more than half (51%) have not involved the next generation at all in wealth planning discussions, and only 45% are confident that the next generation will manage family wealth effectively. This disconnect suggests that succession planning is still being treated as a legal or structural exercise, rather than a broader process of preparing heirs for stewardship, governance and decision-making.

“The challenge for HNW families is not only how to transfer wealth, but how to preserve a legacy and prepare the next generation to steward it responsibly” said Michelle Fang, Chief Marketing Officer of Manulife Singapore. “When the next generation is not brought into the conversation early, families risk leaving important decisions until moments of pressure or transition. Insurance can play an important role by providing liquidity, certainty and continuity, helping families navigate succession needs, without having to sell long-term assets or change their broader investment strategy.”

Note: This study by Manulife and FT Longitude, the thought leadership division of the Financial Times, surveyed 1,000 high-net-worth individuals across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East in April and May 2026. Respondents were based in Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and the UAE. Of the 1,000 respondents, 250 were based in Singapore. For this study, respondents had net worths ranging from US$3 million to more than US$50 million. The full report is available here. Please note that this release focuses on the Singapore-specific findings from the report.

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About Manulife Singapore

Serving Singapore since 1899, Manulife has built a long-standing legacy as one of the country's most established life insurers. For over a century, we have helped generations of Singaporeans protect what matters most, grow their wealth and plan confidently. We offer a comprehensive suite of insurance, retirement, and wealth management solutions designed to meet diverse needs across every stage of life. Our products and services are delivered through a robust distribution network that includes our dedicated financial representatives and specialist partners such as banks and financial advisory firms. For more information, please visit manulife.com.sg.

About FT Longitude

FT Longitude, the thought leadership division of the Financial Times group, creates research-led B2B campaigns that help corporations lead conversations and drive measurable impact.

Media Contacts

Belinda Wong
Belinda_SJ_Wong@manulife.com

Hevina Kaur / Verona Koh
manulife@aka-asia.com