Canada Sun Life Asia Retirement Survey: 69% to Work Beyond Official Retirement Age, Top 5 Reasons to Work Beyond Retirement Age are Financial Necessity, Health & Wellbeing, Desire for Purpose & Fulfilment, Maintain Social Connections and Mental Stimulation, Top 3 Source of Information are Family & Friends, Bank / Financial Institution and Independent Financial Advisors / Insurance Advisors
4th February | Hong Kong
Canada Sun Life Asia Retirement Survey (Retirement Reimagined: Asia’s Retirement Divide) – 69% of respondents to work beyond official retirement age. The top 5 reasons to work beyond retirement age are financial necessity, health & wellbeing, desire for purpose & fulfilment, maintain social connections and mental stimulation. The top 3 source of information are family & friends, bank / financial institution and independent financial advisors / insurance advisors. The Survey – The findings in this survey were analysed and established through a total of 3,006 interviews conducted online across Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam in November 2025. Announcement (28/1/26): “Asia’s aging population faces a growing retirement divide, according to Sun Life’s latest regional retirement survey. While many expect to work beyond retirement age by choice, a significant number are doing so out of financial necessity, highlighting rising inequality in retirement readiness and the urgent need for long-term planning. Asia accounts for approximately 60% of the global over-60s population, a figure set to double to 1.3 billion in the next 25 years. This demographic shift, combined with short planning horizons and increasing reliance on self-directed AI tools, poses systemic challenges for individuals across the region. The survey, titled Retirement Reimagined: Asia’s Retirement Divide, found that a majority of respondents (69%) expect to continue working beyond retirement age. For some, this reflects attitudes towards flexibility and wellbeing, as respondents cite purpose and fulfilment (49%), maintaining social connections (47%), and mental stimulation (41%) as reasons to stay in work. For others, it reflects a financial strain as nearly two thirds (62%) say they need further income to support their daily living and long-term financial security.” View report here.
“ Canada Sun Life Asia Retirement Survey: 69% to Work Beyond Official Retirement Age, Top 5 Reasons to Work Beyond Retirement Age are Financial Necessity, Health & Wellbeing, Desire for Purpose & Fulfilment, Maintain Social Connections and Mental Stimulation, Top 3 Source of Information are Family & Friends, Bank / Financial Institution and Independent Financial Advisors / Insurance Advisors “
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David Broom, Chief Client & Distribution Officer at Sun Life: “What we’re seeing is not a single retirement experience, but two very different realities. For those who are prepared, working longer can be a choice that offers flexibility and freedom. For others, it reflects financial pressure. Planning early, and planning holistically, is what determines which path people are on … … AI can be a helpful starting point, but it often lacks the nuance and personalisation needed for long-term financial security. As technology reshapes how people plan for retirement, expert advice remains essential to ensure decisions are informed, balanced, and aligned with individual goals.”
Christine Yeung, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Life and Health, Sun Life Hong Kong Limited: “People are living longer, yet too many remain unsure whether they can afford to retire comfortably. That’s why the industry’s role is more critical than ever: providing the guidance and solutions that turn uncertainty into empowerment, and helping people build a future where retirement is shaped by possibility, not pressure … … Health is a form of wealth in retirement, influencing both when people retire and the quality of life they enjoy. Sun Life remains committed to understanding the evolving needs of our Clients by offering a comprehensive range of retirement planning solutions. Following the launch of our latest immediate annuity plans last year, we continue to deliver on our mission to help Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives. ”
The Survey – The findings in this survey were analysed and established through a total of 3,006 interviews conducted online across Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam in November 2025. The research explores perspectives around what it means to age, confidence in achieving these aspirations, and the steps people are taking to make their vision of retirement a reality.
Sun Life – Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the U.S., the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of September 30, 2025, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1.62 trillion.
Canada Sun Life Asia Retirement Survey: 69% to Work Beyond Official Retirement Age, Top 5 Reasons to Work Beyond Retirement Age are Financial Necessity, Health & Wellbeing, Desire for Purpose & Fulfilment, Maintain Social Connections and Mental Stimulation, Top 3 Source of Information are Family & Friends, Bank / Financial Institution and Independent Financial Advisors / Insurance Advisors
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