Manulife Survey Reveals Hongkongers’ New Longevity Priorities – Independence, Resilience, and Sustainable Care over Leaving Wealth Behind

• 90% of Hongkongers aim to remain self-sufficient for as long as possible. However, they also expect to face 14 years of care dependency and 17 years of financial dependence — the latter being the highest among markets surveyed in Asia.
• A clear gap persists between awareness and action in both preventive health and financial self-reliance. While 83% say regular health check-ups are vital, only 42% do so annually and 19% have never had one. Similarly, although 90% prioritize financial independence and self-sufficiency, only 52% are using investments to fund their retirement and care needs.
• Four in 10 Hongkongers are already providing care, with 68% of health caregivers reporting compromises to daily activities and financial planning, and 58% saying caregiving affects their ability to maintain long-term independence.
   

Hong Kong — As people live longer, the meaning of longevity is evolving — from simply adding years to living those years well. Increasingly, longevity is defined by good health, financial resilience, and the ability to remain independent with the right support over time. Findings from the latest Hong Kong edition of the Manulife Asia Care Survey 2026¹ reflect this shift, with independence — supported by health and financial freedom — emerging as a more meaningful legacy than leaving wealth behind alone. However, the results also point to a clear readiness gap, as many remain underprepared in key areas such as preventive health, retirement planning, and caregiving resilience.

Independence redefined as the new legacy

The shift is evident in both mindset and financial priorities. 90% of Hongkongers aspire to remain self-sufficient for as long as possible, and respondents expect to allocate 71% of their assets towards supporting their own future needs, compared with 29% intended for the next generation.

This perspective is closely tied to a strong desire not to become a burden on loved ones. An overwhelming 91% say being self-reliant helps avoid burdening family members, while 64% rank “freedom from being a burden” as their top longevity aspiration — rising to 74% among those aged over 60.

"People in Hong Kong are increasingly defining a meaningful long life not by what they leave behind, but by their ability to choose how they live — supported by good health and strong financial preparedness," said Celia Ling, Incoming Chief Marketing Officer, Greater China, Manulife. "At Manulife, we focus on building holistic support ecosystems that connect customers to healthcare, wellness and community networks, so they can care for others without neglecting themselves. Ultimately, caregiving should be sustainable — it should not come at the cost of one's own long-term health and independence."

Strong intentions, but action continues to lag

While the desire to stay self-sufficient is clear, the survey highlights a persistent gap between awareness and action, particularly in preventive health. Although 83% of Hongkongers recognize the importance of regular health check-ups, only 42% undergo them annually, and nearly one in five (19%) have never had one — reinforcing the disconnect between intention and behaviour.

Preventive care is often triggered by concern rather than routine. 38% of respondents seek early screening only when they suspect symptoms of a serious condition. The main barriers cited include perceived cost (about 50%), followed by the belief that screening is not yet necessary (31%). These findings highlight an opportunity to make preventive care more accessible, affordable, and easier to integrate into everyday life, helping people turn awareness into lifelong habits.

Financial self-reliance replaces reliance on children

The intention–action gap extends beyond health behaviours to financial resilience in later stages of life. 91% say they are determined not to burden loved ones — a view further reinforced by the fact that only 17% plan to rely on financial support from their children for their retirement and care. However, while independence is highly valued, only 52% rely on investments to fund their retirement and care needs, with employer pensions less considered at 34%, suggesting that many are not fully harnessing the potential of investment returns to support their aspirations.

“Our survey underscores the strong emphasis on ensuring financial resources are effectively deployed to generate the returns needed to sustain long-term independence.” said Jeanie Ho, Head of Hong Kong and Macau Retirement, Manulife. "Retirement planning may need to go beyond accumulation to creating sustainable income, resilience and confidence over the 30 to 40 years people may spend in retirement. The MPF system is designed to support members in planning for retirement from the moment they enter the workforce. However, to fully realize its potential, members need to take a more proactive role in managing their accounts across different life stages. This includes regularly reviewing investment choices, aligning portfolios with evolving needs and risk appetite, and ensuring their savings are well-positioned to support both pre- and post-retirement goals."

Diversification and income sustainability are key strengths in solving the retirement readiness puzzle. Among those with investments, insurance and savings plans, 44% are increasing diversification across asset classes, while 43% are shifting toward income-generating investments, highlighting a deliberate effort to strengthen financial resilience and support long-term independence.

Independence depends on both retirement readiness and caregiving resilience

The findings also underscore that independence in later life is shaped not only by personal health and financial preparedness, but by the interplay between health, wealth, and caregiving responsibilities. Among caregivers in Hong Kong, 41% offer health support and 38% provide financial support — reflecting a widespread reality when many are balancing their own future planning with immediate family responsibilities.

The impact is significant. Among health caregivers, 68% report compromises to daily activities and financial planning, while 58% say caregiving affects their ability to sustain their long-term independence. Caregivers’ priorities further highlight the need for more comprehensive support, with top priorities including preventive health check-ups and screenings (84%), financial planning (83%), and emotional support (81%).

This dual burden underscores a weakness in financial preparedness. While Hongkongers expect to spend an annual average of approximately HKD 94,000 for unexpected healthcare needs, only 57% feel prepared to cover this cost. The survey also shows that 65% believe open and honest conversations with family about retirement planning are beneficial. Yet, only 57% report actually having these conversations. Among those who haven’t, the biggest barrier is not knowing where to start (30%). Open and honest discussions about aging and retirement improve well-being. Among those aged over 54, 83% who have discussed these topics with family report a better quality of life. This rises to 90% among respondents who have engaged a financial planner. These findings underscore the importance of turning awareness into concrete planning action — from starting family conversations earlier to building more resilient retirement strategies that can better withstand health shocks, caregiving demands and longer lifespans.

To bring these issues into sharper focus, Manulife today hosted its Longevity Insight Forum in Hong Kong under the theme “Beyond Years: Building a Life Well-Lived.” As part of the Longevity Institute — Manulife’s global platform that drives action to help people live longer, healthier, more financially resilient lives — the Forum reflected one of the Institute’s commitments to ignite global research and thought leadership on how people can flourish in longer lives. The Forum brought together experts across health, wealth, technology and social well-being to explore how financial resilience, well-being, technology, and innovation can help people to live with greater choice, independence, and purpose across every life stage.

"True independence in maintaining a healthy and long life means waking up with choices rather than constraints. However, the deep-rooted belief that there is always more time, along with the idea that meaningful changes require extreme effort, can make unhealthy choices seem convenient. This mindset, compounded by daily pressures and competing priorities, can lead to a further delay in taking action," said Dr. Karen Cheung, longevity expert, author and editor of "Healthy Longevity: Evidence-based Study of Hong Kong", while speaking as a guest at Manulife’s Longevity Insight Forum. "Yet, lasting change doesn't require drastic transformations; it starts with small, consistent steps. When we recognize that independence is built gradually through our everyday decisions, we can proactively reclaim control over our future, turn intention into sustained momentum, and empower ourselves to help others."

For further details on the Hong Kong-specific findings of the Manulife Asia Care Survey 2026, please visit: https://www.manulife.com.hk/en/individual/promotions/asia-care-survey-2026.html.