Sun Life finds that 50% of respondents identify beneficiary preparedness as their biggest concern.
More Filipinos are taking a structured approach to legacy planning, focusing on educational opportunities and heir preparation alongside wealth transfer, according to a new report by Sun Life Asia.
The study, titled Passing the Torch: When Legacy Means More Than Money, shows that 92% of Filipinos intend to leave financial assets or wealth to future generations.
However, educational opportunities ranked as the top priority at 56%, followed by financial wealth and family traditions at 45% each.
Amongst respondents planning to transfer assets, 61% want their wealth invested for long-term growth.
Meanwhile, 55% intend to support essential family needs, and 53% aim to fund education.
Formal legacy planning in the Philippines has increased over the past year. The proportion of respondents without a plan fell to 8%, down from 25% in 2025.
Those with fully documented and communicated plans rose to 36% from 6% last year. This 36% figure puts the Philippines ahead of the Asian regional average of 22%.
Overall confidence in legacy readiness also grew, with 53% feeling fully or mostly prepared, up from 38% in 2025.
Despite these advancements, 82% of respondents expressed concern that their wealth may not survive past the next generation.
Beneficiary preparedness emerged as the primary worry for 50% of respondents, surpassing concerns about financial market volatility at 46%. This concern was higher amongst younger demographics.
Whilst 71% of Generation Z and 73% of Millennials believe their wealth can positively impact future generations, 86% of Generation Z and 84% of Millennials fear their assets will not endure past the next generation.
Family discussions around inheritance remain incomplete for many. Whilst 70% of respondents reported having some family discussions regarding legacy, only 25% stated these plans had been fully communicated.
Regarding professional guidance, 34% of respondents have sought advice from legacy planners, whilst an additional 50% intend to do so in the future.
Survey respondents identified trustworthiness and integrity as the most critical factors when selecting a financial adviser, placing them above technical expertise.