SINGAPORE, 23 July 2026 — According to the latest AIA Longevity Study¹, more than half of Singaporeans (51%) see living longer as more of a concern than an opportunity (22%). Living longer should be one of life's greatest achievements – offering a chance at purposeful longevity with more time to pursue passions, spend meaningful moments with loved ones and enjoy independent later years. Yet for many Singaporeans, the prospect of living longer is accompanied more by uncertainty than optimism particularly when thinking about growing older, more than half (53%) say they feel uncertain.

 

Although Singaporeans are living longer, not all of those additional years are expected to be spent in good health. Singaporeans expect to live to 80.2 years old but expect their health to begin declining at 70.2 years old – creating a 10-year healthspan-lifespan gap. This uncertainty is especially pronounced among younger Singaporeans, who are even more likely to feel uncertain and worried about growing older, and who expect an even longer gap between their lifespan and healthspan.

"For many Singaporeans, the challenge of longevity is no longer simply living longer, but ensuring those additional years are healthy, financially secure, independent and purposeful," said Irma Hadikusuma, Chief Marketing and Healthcare Officer, AIA Singapore.

 

"Our study shows that Singaporeans understand what it takes to age well. They recognise the importance of maintaining good health, building financial security and having a sense of purpose as they grow older. Yet many also acknowledge they are not fully prepared across these areas, and it is this gap between aspiration and preparedness that drives their uncertainty and anxiety around longevity."

 

While Singaporeans recognise that living a longer life depends on a holistic combination of physical, financial, mental and social wellbeing, many feel underprepared across these dimensions—especially in financial readiness. Financial preparedness is the weakest pillar, with 61% concerned about running out of retirement savings.

 

 

 

The study also suggests that Singaporeans are waiting too long to invest in their future health. Many only begin prioritising prevention after experiencing the effects of ageing, missing opportunities to extend not just their lifespan, but their healthspan.
 

 

 

Singaporeans want longevity to be about more than simply living longer – they want to remain active, independent and purposeful throughout later life.
 

 

 

Financial wellbeing is seen as critical to ageing well and preparing for longevity, yet many Singaporeans are anxious and lack confidence to prepare for it.
 

As life expectancy continues to increase, having sufficient retirement income alongside adequate healthcare protection will become increasingly important to help individuals manage rising healthcare costs while maintaining financial resilience over the long term.

 

Long-term care also remains one of the biggest blind spots when planning for a longer life. While longer life expectancies, there is an increased likelihood of requiring long-term care.
 

 

 

Singaporeans largely see healthy longevity as a personal responsibility, with 85% identifying themselves as primarily responsible for living longer and healthier lives.

 

However, the study suggests that individual action alone will not be enough to close the longevity readiness gap. While individuals have an important role to play in making healthier choices and planning earlier, they also need access to the right guidance, tools and support to make proactive action easier.

 

"There is a significant opportunity to engage Singaporeans earlier in their longevity journey, especially among younger age groups, where early action can have the greatest impact on long-term health, financial resilience, and independence in the future," said Irma Hadikusuma.

 

"This is where a broader ecosystem of support needs to come in – bringing together healthcare providers, employers, insurers, community partners and public institutions to make earlier action easier, more accessible and more integrated across health, wealth, work and care."

 

 

 

AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively "AIA" or the "Group") comprise the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group. It has a presence in 18 markets – wholly-owned branches and subsidiaries in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR², Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan (China), Vietnam, Brunei and Macau SAR³, and a 49 per cent joint venture in India. In addition, AIA has a 24.99 per cent shareholding in China Post Life Insurance Co., Ltd.

 

The business that is now AIA was first established in Shanghai more than a century ago in 1919. It is a market leader in Asia (ex-Japan) based on life insurance premiums and holds leading positions across the majority of its markets. It had total assets of US$345 billion as of 31 December 2025.

 

AIA meets the long-term savings and protection needs of individuals by offering a range of products and services including life insurance, accident and health insurance and savings plans. The Group also provides employee benefits, credit life and pension services to corporate clients. Through an extensive network of agents, partners and employees across Asia, AIA serves the holders of more than 44 million individual policies and over 16 million participating members of group insurance schemes.

 

AIA Group Limited is listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the stock codes "1299" for HKD counter and "81299" for RMB counter with American Depositary Receipts (Level 1) traded on the over-the-counter market under the ticker symbol "AAGIY".