Latest news with #MarkCzajkowski
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
Healthy, self-reliant and mentally strong: How people in Singapore would like to age
The Manulife Asia Care Survey 2025 also shows a mindset shift – younger adults are seeking therapy earlier for emotional well-being, while staying active has edged out full financial independence as a top goal Manulife's Asia Care Survey 2025 shows that in Singapore, people place greater importance on staying physically, mentally, and socially active than on merely living a long life. A new survey conducted in Singapore has revealed a common blind spot: While people diligently track blood pressure and glucose, they could be neglecting other equally important health markers. Manulife's latest Asia Care Survey 2025 found that three in four here tend to overlook their mobility, muscle mass or grip strength, despite these being powerful indicators of overall well-being . A weak grip, for example, can signal declining muscle mass, reduced mobility and a higher risk of future health issues . These insights are drawn from an online survey conducted between January and February 2025, which gathered responses from over 9,000 people across nine Asian markets. Of these, 1,021 were from Singapore. This is the first time the annual Manulife Asia Care Survey is exploring the theme of longevity. Previous years' editions looked at healthcare costs, financial well-being and retirement savings. 'We hope to spark more meaningful conversations around health, wellness, and longevity. Longevity is typically associated with living longer.' says Mr Benoit Meslet, chief executive officer of Manulife Singapore. 'At Manulife, we believe that it's also important to live better. We want to help more people understand what it means to live well as you approach your golden years.' Ageing with dignity When asked about their top wishes for their later years, nearly a quarter of the respondents in Singapore said they hope to remain physically, mentally and socially active. In contrast, living longer for its own sake was far less of a priority, with six in 100 identifying it as their most important goal. In their responses, many explained that they did not want to become a burden to their families, nor do they want to prolong their lives while struggling with chronic illness or disability. Four in 10 said they do not want to live longer if it meant poor health or dependence on others. These insights reflect a clear shift in how longevity is perceived in Singapore, says Mr Mark Czajkowski, chief marketing officer of Manulife Singapore. 'The survey results challenged conventional views of longevity in Asian societies. Instead of chasing a longer lifespan, it is now characterised by quality, meaning, purpose, and health,' he says. 'With thoughtful preparation, this goal is definitely achievable.' Thoughtful preparation, in this context, could mean looking beyond having financial security alone. It could also involve taking charge of your health early, so you can enter your later years with vitality and dignity. Yet, the reality is that many Singaporeans remain quietly pessimistic about how well they will age. More than half of the respondents believe cancer is the most difficult illness to prevent. Over a quarter think it is hard to avoid getting Alzheimer's or a stroke as they age. In fact, the survey results revealed that respondents expect to face critical health issues by age 66.5, if they have not experienced any already. With Singapore's average life expectancy at 83.5 years , this suggests that some may spend at least 17 of their later years managing illness. An increased focus on mental wellness The survey shows that staying physically fit isn't the only priority and that mental health is gaining equal importance. Eight in 10 respondents said mental wellness plays a major role in their ability to enjoy life in old age, while three in four see it as a key factor in their overall long-term well-being. Age also plays a role in how people care for their well-being, with priorities differing significantly across age groups reveals the survey. Older adults aged 55 and above tend to focus more on managing their physical health, such as going for regular health checks and reducing salt intake. Younger adults aged between 25 and 34 on the other hand, are more attuned to their emotional well-being. They tend to be more pro-active in reducing stress through better work-life balance, getting enough sleep, and are more open to seeking help from a therapist when needed. These findings reflect a generational shift, with younger people increasingly recognising the need to care for both body and mind and to start doing so earlier in life. For Manulife, this shift is shaping how the company designs lifestyle programmes for customers. Says Mr Czajkowski: 'The goal is to provide more holistic solutions that go beyond just financial needs, helping customers live healthier and better lives.' Taking a well-rounded approach to wellness The survey also shows that people in Singapore across all ages are taking a more holistic approach to healthy ageing, focusing on both physical and mental well-being. To stay physically fit, 47.6 per cent of respondents aged 25 and above maintain a healthy weight, 47.1 per cent reduce their salt intake, and 45.1 per cent cut back on saturated fat and sugar in their diet. Mental wellness is also emerging as a key focus, with respondents highlighting the importance of quality sleep. Self-care stands out as a consistent priority across all age groups in Singapore, surpassing most other Asian markets. Among younger adults aged 25 to 34, talking to a therapist is notably more common, with 15.1 per cent doing so. Together, these habits reflect a growing awareness that true longevity is built on caring for both body and mind. 'It is never too early to start taking action now. Your health status in your 30s and 40s will greatly influence how you fare in the 60s and 70s,' says Mr Czajkowski. In the coming months, Manulife plans to deepen its focus on helping Singaporeans take charge of their health journey, not just through insurance products, but through programmes and initiatives that encourage healthier habits and more conversations around wellness. 'We are placing greater emphasis on health-centric solutions, and will be introducing new initiatives in the last quarter of this year, designed to empower customers to lead healthier lives and elevate their overall well-being' says Mr Meslet.
CNA
16-07-2025
- Health
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Mind Your Money - Rethinking ageing in Singapore
A new Manulife survey reveals that while most Singaporeans aren't chasing a longer life, they're deeply concerned about living well in old age. From a 12-year wellness gap to underinsurance and heavy financial burdens, the findings highlight a critical need for earlier, holistic planning around health, wealth, and ageing with dignity. Cheryl Goh unpacks this with Mark Czajkowski, Chief Marketing Officer of Manulife Singapore
Forbes
24-06-2025
- Health
- Forbes
New Survey Reveals How Longevity Confidence Differs Across Generations Of High Net Worth Individuals
By Erin Chan Ding How do wealth status and financial planning impact perceptions of our health, especially when we imagine ourselves a few years—or even a few decades—from now? It's a nuanced question, which is why Forbes Insights and Manulife Singapore, a life insurance and wealth management provider, decided to research the correlation between health and financial planning and examine how individuals navigate each. Among our 250 high-net-worth respondents, representing three generations based in Singapore, Hong Kong and mainland China, 96% view health as a No. 1 priority—and 80% consider wealth a crucial ingredient to long, healthy lives. Financial security across generations enables access to better healthcare and insurance, says Mark Czajkowski, chief marketing officer of Manulife Singapore and chief analytics officer for Manulife Asia. 'At the same time, good health allows individuals to enjoy their wealth, remain active and reduce long-term care costs.' While results generally align with Czajkowski's client observations, the study also unearthed some less-expected generational gaps when it comes to longevity confidence and priorities among respondents—which included young adults (18 to 40-years-old), middle-age adults (41 to 60-years-old) and older adults (61-years-old and up). For Czajkowski, their varied views '[reinforce] the importance of tailoring financial strategies to life stage and personal values.' Explore research highlights below and discover actionable advice from Manulife. Their Top Health Goal: Helping family with longevity and health Their Top Health Challenge: Difficulty navigating healthcare systems and insurance Most young adults (92%) are at least moderately confident they'll be in good health and active after their working years and 79% feel at least moderately confident that their wealth management plan is equipped to support their family's lifestyle over a longer life expectancy. But that shouldn't deter them from taking even more initiative when it comes to their money—and future wellness. With midlife comes new challenges and responsibilities, shifts in perspectives and reshuffled priorities. This is why Czajkowski advises young adults who are still in peak health to start focusing on wealth management for longevity as early as possible. 'Building a solid foundation in estate planning, insurance and investment strategies now can empower younger adults to support aging parents while securing their own future,' he says. Young adults should openly discuss expectations and responsibilities around health with family members and consider planning tools like multigenerational trusts and legacy insurance plans. Feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of insurance is common but conquerable: Czajkowski recommends working with a trusted financial consultant 'who can demystify the process, explain the differences between comprehensive and specialized coverage and help select plans that align with both current needs and future goals.' Young adults can also optimize lifelong health by ensuring they're intentional and consistent about it today, whether that means participating in structured exercise programs, staying on top of preventative health screenings or seeking mental health therapy, nutrition counseling or fitness coaching. 'This can lay the foundation for long-term wellbeing,' Czajkowski says. 'By building healthy habits now, they not only improve their quality of life but also reduce future healthcare costs and enhance their ability to support loved ones.' Their Top Goal: Staying active as they age Their Top Challenge: Difficulty navigating healthcare systems and insurance The middle-age cohort are also confident they'll enjoy good health and remain active in retirement (79%), and 92% are at least moderately confident their wealth management plan is future-proofed for longevity. Middle-age adults have momentum—and they can capitalize on it by committing time and care to retirement readiness, Czajkowski suggests. To start, they can stress test their retirement plans and gauge future financial and longevity security by considering three critical questions: Since many people in this demographic are in their peak earning years, Czajkowski says it's 'the ideal time to align your lifestyle ambitions with your long-term health and retirement vision.' This means not only prioritizing financial planning but customizing your health approach to suit your individual lifestyle and objectives. Maybe that means finding bespoke health programs with access to features you value most, like elite preventive care, wellness coaching or curated experiences with peers. 'These programs are designed not only to preserve vitality but to enhance quality of life well into retirement,' Czajkowski says. 'Whether it's personalized longevity coaching, integrative therapies or structured wellness retreats, these services help ensure that your retirement years are not just financially secure—but also active, fulfilling and aligned with the lifestyle you've worked hard to build.' Their Top Goal: Ensuring financial stability for health expenses and long-term care Their Top Challenge: Limited knowledge about best treatments and hospitals According to our survey, older adults feel less secure about longevity compared to young respondents, with 58% saying they're at least moderately confident about their future health and staying active. Czajkowski says healthcare contingency plans are essential. These include getting acquainted with insurance benefits, setting aside funds for unexpected medical expenses and identifying trusted caregivers, decision makers and health care proxies. Older adults without plans can partner with a financial consultant to create one. 'It's not just about wealth preservation—it's about ensuring they retain care, comfort and choice in later years,' he says. Financial literacy is also particularly important as we age—and feeling equipped to manage wealth with confidence can in turn help us feel more secure about future health. 'Education and empowerment are key to maintaining independence and dignity,' Czajkowski says. 'We encourage older clients—especially women—to be actively involved in financial planning, understand their insurance coverage and know how to access funds for healthcare.' Our study shows women care deeply about financial wellness and longevity, but they may take a less active role in wealth planning compared to their male counterparts: They're less likely to personally handle their investments and financial planning (29% versus 46%) and more likely to rely on a wealth manager (71% versus 54%), for example. By cultivating financial literacy early on, women can position themselves to be more confident, proactive and autonomous when it comes to optimizing wealth and long-term health, Czajkowski says. 'Women's financial journeys are unique. Not only are they assuming more prominent roles as financial decision makers, but they also face distinct challenges, including longer life expectancies—which necessitate planning for extended retirement periods—and career interruptions due to caregiving responsibilities.' To navigate those specific lifestyle challenges, integrating financial wellness into the broader realm of self-care is especially key for women. Ready to take control of your future? Download the full report to uncover deeper insights into how high-net-worth individuals are preparing for longer, healthier lives—and learn how Manulife can help you build a financial strategy that supports your longevity goals.
