Bahala na si Batman.

We often hear this phrase when we are unsure of how to respond—especially when it comes to making plans.

However, Megastar and InLife (Insular Life) Dreamweaver Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan says that when it comes to retirement, we can’t just let nature take its course.

“Think of it this way: If we can plan for the next chapter of our careers habang nagtatrabaho tayo, all the more we should plan for the next chapter of our lives. Start doing more for your future by doing less, by having a retirement income plan as early as your 30s or 40s. The younger you start, the more you will be able to save and the more your savings will grow.”

In her latest vlog as part of InLife’s Dreamweaver Stories, Sharon shared that while she is not yet planning to retire immediately, she nevertheless thinks of it. “Pag sinabi mong retirement, tungkol sa pagtanda lang natin. No, it’s about wanting to finally be able to rest and kasama na doon yung living our lives to the fullest nang hindi na tayo nagtatrabaho.”

She shares that one of the things she has learned in all her years in showbusiness and as a mother, is the value of planning ahead, including and most importantly, for retirement. “Minsan sa dami ng ginagawa natin, we just get caught up in the present. We work hard, we support ourselves and our families pero hindi natin napapansin na yung panahon natin para maghanda para sa sarili nating future ay slipping away.”

She quoted a recent study on retirement commissioned by InLife, which says 80% of senior citizens in the country do not have adequate financial resources once they retire. The respondents surveyed in the research also said they would need a monthly retirement income between P25,000 to P50,000 to sustain the lifestyle they have gotten used to, but this may not fit the lifestyle retirees dream of enjoying. The disparity in funds needed vs available funds upon retirement may become larger due to unforeseen circumstances, often involving healthcare costs.

“In 2023, Filipino households spent over PHP 600 billion out-of-pocket for healthcare. Dagdag pa natin dito ang projected inflation rate na 3% by 2029 – ito yung pagbaba ng value ng pera over time dahil tumataas ang cost of living. Lastly, ang mahirap pong i-predict is how much longer will we live. Kahit marami po tayong i-save, ang nakakatakot we will outlive our savings, lalo pa ngayon nag improve po talaga ang life expectancy dito sa Pilipinas. Mas humahaba ang buhay natin. This underlines the irony that while our lives continue to extend, there is so much to be done to financially prepare for those long retirement years.”

She also underscored the cultural practice of children being expected to take care of their parents. “I know it’s in our culture na maraming Filipinos rely on their kids to take care of them in their old age. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful gift to our children kung hindi tayo magiging pabigat? We don’t want to be a burden to them pagdating ng araw. Para naman lahat tayo sa pamilya—especially our children—can live our lives with less worries.”

All these future concerns, she says, may be addressed by preparing ahead. “We have a chance to turn things around. Retirement planning, it’s intimidating di ba, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We need to think long term. Magplano para sa ating mga kinabukasan. As your InLife Dreamweaver, I’m more than happy to share that every Filipino can now retire without worries! The secret lies in having a steady stream of retirement income for life—one that complements your pensions and helps you avoid dipping into your personal savings, emergency funds, or retirement benefits.”

Sharon then talks about InLife Retire Assure, the first true retirement insurance product in the country that has guaranteed benefits, is comprehensive, and has a hassle-free application process.

“It’s designed to provide guaranteed monthly income starting at age 60 or 65, all the way until age 100. Simply put, parang tumatanggap ka pa rin ng sweldo kahit na tumigil ka na sa years and years of pagtatrabaho. What’s even better? This income has the potential to grow over time through additional cash dividends, offering protection against inflation.”

Retire Assure includes guaranteed life insurance given to the insured’s beneficiaries in case of death. “Ang dual benefit na ito—retirement income at life insurance—ay nagbibigay ng tunay na financial independence at peace of mind, hindi lang para sa’yo kundi pati sa mga mahal natin sa buhay. Lastly, it features guaranteed issuance—no medical evaluation needed, regardless of your health condition.”

She encourages Filipinos to start saving for their retirement while they are still young. “Retirement isn’t about slowing down; it’s about starting an exciting new chapter. Let’s plan it right so we can live life to the fullest and retire without worries.”

InLife Dreamweavers Sharon Cuneta- Pangilinan and youngest daughter Miel Pangilinan have partnered with InLife for a series of videos and articles where they give tips on and talk about how they explore their passions, challenge their creativity and amplify InLife’s mission of providing A Lifetime For Good to its fellow Filipinos. Recently, Sharon shared her tips on saving in a video called “Mag-Sharon para sa Kinabukasan.” As Filipinos traditionally bring home extra food after celebrations (“mag-Sharon”), InLife encourages them to ‘mag-Sharon’ for the future by saving and securing insurance like Megastar Sharon Cuneta, who emphasizes the importance of “financial planning for a secure tomorrow.”

For more information on the InLife Retire Assure, visit https://bit.ly/InLifeRetireAssure.