Global Study Reveals Growing Gap Between Life Priorities and Financial Plans

The research, conducted across eight markets in North America and Asia, highlights a rising sense of complexity in personal management. More than half of respondents reported that navigating their finances and health has become harder over the last five years. This difficulty is compounded by the fact that people increasingly view these two areas as deeply intertwined, with roughly 60% noting that health concerns impact their financial stability and vice versa.

Despite this awareness, the execution gap remains wide. While 60% of people consider securing their family's future a top priority, only 31% have a full plan in place. Similarly, in the realm of caregiving, 57% recognize the importance of providing for an aging or sick family member, yet just 27% are actually prepared to do so. This lack of action often stems from a need for greater clarity, with 75% of participants stating that access to trustworthy advice would significantly boost their confidence in planning.

To address these hurdles, 65% of those surveyed are calling for integrated support that treats health, wealth, and protection as a single, connected ecosystem rather than disparate services. Kevin Strain, President and CEO of Sunlife, noted that bridging the gap between intention and action is now the core objective of the firm's evolving strategy. As part of this shift, the company is moving to align its digital experiences and financial advice models to help clients navigate these life moments with more intuitive, consolidated tools.