Summary
Asia continues to experience a rapid demographic shift, with aging populations placing increasing pressure on retirement systems and financial security. This shift is raising concerns about longevity risk and healthcare costs. Understanding how individuals plan for and sustain their retirement is more critical than ever.
The Society of Actuaries (SOA) and Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (NYSE: RGA) jointly commissioned a Greater Asia research project to study the current state and future opportunity of the retirement market in Asia. Key focus areas include retirement planning behaviors, financial awareness, risk perceptions, income sources, and confidence in long-term preparedness. The study segmented respondents by life stage—Prime Age Workers, Pre-Retirees, and Retirees—allowing for generational comparisons.
The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, financial institutions, and individuals working to enhance retirement security. The reports also identify emerging opportunities for insurance companies to develop new products that address the growing demand for retirement and financial protection solutions.
Key Findings
- Rapid aging is straining retirement and healthcare systems across the Taiwan, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam markets.
- Retirement planning improves with age, though Thailand’s prime-age workers show the strongest engagement.
- Awareness exceeds action. Many recognize the need to prepare but have not taken concrete planning steps.
- Healthcare costs and chronic illness are major concerns in every market.
- Inflation is weakening retirement confidence, even where savings have improved.
- Retirees expect income from multiple sources, including pensions, savings, work, family support and insurance.
- Interest in guaranteed income and health-protection products is high, but ownership remains limited.
- Financial education must be tailored by generation, using both digital and traditional channels.