Security alert: Stay vigilant at all times and beware of phishing attacks. For more information, please read more on our Scam Advisory page.
x
Join Etiqa’s survey! We’ve partnered research firm Kantar who may contact Etiqa customers via 67970603 over the next few weeks to gather feedback and insights. You participation will help Etiqa enhance our services for you. Thank you.
 

Three in Four Singaporeans Prioritise Leaving an Inheritance for Future Generations

Home / News / Three in Four Singaporeans Prioritise Leaving an Inheritance for Future Generations
Share this page
Media Contacts

Shirley Tan

Etiqa Insurance Singapore

shirley.t@etiqa.com.sg

Back to newsroom

Millennials and Gen Zs lead the charge in proactive wealth planning; Gen Zs also have the highest expectations towards receiving an inheritance

SINGAPORE – A new report by Etiqa Insurance Singapore spotlights growing trends in intergenerational wealth transfer, with 77% of Singaporeans prioritising leaving a financial legacy to future generations. With two-thirds of Singaporeans having either received, transferred or expect to receive or transfer their wealth, a commitment most pronounced among those aged 55 and above (74%), proactive wealth planning and management for Singaporeans is more crucial than ever.

78% of Singaporeans aged 55 years and above prioritise the importance of discussing inheritance matters with their families, signalling a clear cultural shift toward open and proactive legacy planning.  This reflects a broader societal shift towards greater transparency and responsibility in legacy planning, as older Singaporeans recognise the importance of wealth transfer conversations before one’s passing.

Over half of Singaporeans surveyed (53%) have either received or expect to receive an inheritance. This expectation is even higher among younger Singaporeans, with 62% under the age of 24 expecting to receive an inheritance. This indicates the need for early financial literacy and planning to ensure wealth is managed effectively.

Among Singaporeans who expect to receive or give an inheritance, one in five anticipate a windfall of $1 million or more. With large sums potentially involved, financial education becomes key, and recipients need financial planning and management to manage this wealth.

Among Singaporeans who have received their inheritance, 53% believe the inheritance plays a critical role in their long-term financial stability. In contrast only 35% of Singaporeans who have yet to receive an inheritance see it as critical factor that ensures their long-term financial stability. As the true value of an inheritance often becomes clear only after it is received, proactive financial guidance is essential to help individuals integrate it effectively into their long-term financial goals.

Other key findings of the survey include:

  • Nearly half (46%) of Singaporeans have plans to or have already initiated wealth transfers during their lifetime, shifting away from solely relying on transfers upon their passing. 
  • About half of Singaporeans surveyed (49%) actively use insurance as an instrument for wealth transfer, recognising it as an effective method for legacy planning beyond basic protection.
  • Most Singaporeans preparing to pass on wealth involve their family in financial planning conversations (42%) and instilling values of responsibility and diligence (41%). A notable 18% still lack a plan for successor readiness.
  • Wealth transfer comes with complexities. Key worries for Singaporeans regarding wealth transfer include family conflict (36%), maintaining their own financial security (34%), and fears of mismanagement of wealth (31%).
  • One in three Singaporeans now involve a financial advisor in their wealth transfer planning, reflecting a growing recognition of the critical need for expert guidance in navigating complex legacy decisions.

“Our Wealth Transfer Insights Report findings indicate that wealth transfer is increasingly viewed not just as a financial event, but as a purposeful act of next generation empowerment,” said Raymond Ong, CEO of Etiqa Insurance Singapore. “It is heartening that Singaporeans are having conversations about wealth planning through open family dialogue and meticulous planning, fundamental to ensuring financial well-being of their families.”

“While Singaporeans demonstrate a strong commitment to securing their family’s financial future through wealth transfer, potential challenges such as wealth mismanagement and preserving this wealth for next generation need to be addressed,” Mr. Ong emphasised. “More strategic and informed legacy planning to bridge existing gaps and fostering continuous open dialogue are essential steps to ensure that legacies not only endure but truly empower future generations.”

Etiqa Insurance Singapore supports the community through financial planning literacy workshops and activities designed to empower individuals across all age groups. These initiatives, that will be rolled out in phases in coming years, aim to equip participants with the essential knowledge to protect, grow, and manage their wealth effectively. Find out more at: www.etiqa.com.sg

Etiqa Insurance Singapore Wealth Transfer Insights Report

The Etiqa Insurance Singapore Wealth Transfer Insights Report was conducted in collaboration with Kantar in June 2025, surveying 1,008 Singapore citizens and permanent residents across four age groups: Gen Z (18 to 28 years old), Millennials (29 to 43 years old), Gen X (44 to 59 years old), and Seniors (60 and above). This study delves into the attitudes, expectations and strategies around both receiving and passing wealth to the next generations.

About Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd (Etiqa Insurance Singapore)

Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd. (EIPL) is a life and general insurance company licensed and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and governed by the Insurance Act 1966. Having protected customers in Singapore since 1961 under the name United General Insurance Co. Sdn. Bhd., the company transitioned into the Singapore branch of Etiqa Insurance Berhad in 2009. Today, EIPL in Singapore stands as the pivotal operating entity of Etiqa Insurance Group, a leading insurance and takaful provider in ASEAN.

EIPL offers a comprehensive range of life and general insurance products accessible through its diverse distribution channels, including bancassurance, agents, brokers, financial advisers, partnerships, direct and online sales via Tiq by Etiqa. Etiqa is rated ‘A’ by credit rating agency Fitch for the group’s ‘Favorable’ business profile. EIPL is owned by Maybank Ageas Holdings Berhad, a joint venture combining local market expertise with international insurance knowledge, with 69% ownership by Maybank, the fourth largest banking group in Southeast Asia, and 31% by Ageas, an international insurance group operating across 13 countries.

Share this page
Media Contacts

Shirley Tan

Etiqa Insurance Singapore

shirley.t@etiqa.com.sg

Back to newsroom
Thank you for your application. Congratulations on insuring your new home! Please note that this complimentary home insurance policy is only successfully incepted when you receive your Policy Schedule and Welcome Letter from us. If you’d like to stack a higher coverage for your new home and a greater peace of mind, purchase Tiq Home Insurance with an exclusive 25% off with TIQRENO promo code.

Marketing Consent Terms & Conditions

  1. I consent to Etiqa and its related, its agents, authorised service providers and marketing partners collecting, using, disclosing, and/or processing my personal data, in order to contact me about products and services marketed by Etiqa or its partners as well as benefits, promotions and rewards, via the modes mentioned or selected, and using my contact particulars which Etiqa may have in its records from time to time (including where applicable my Singapore telephone number(s));
  2. I confirm and agree that my consents granted herein do not supersede or replace any other consents which I may have previously provided to Etiqa in respect of my personal data, and are additional to any rights which Etiqa may have at law to collect, use or disclose my personal data, unless my consent is withdrawn and notified to Etiqa.
  3. I can choose to withdraw my consent by submitting the Marketing Withdrawal Form at www.etiqa.com.sg or email to customer.service@etiqa.com.sg.

Personal Data Protection Terms & Conditions

I expressly authorise and consent to Etiqa, its officers and employees at their sole discretion, to disclose any and all information relating to me, including my personal particulars, my transactions and dealings and my policies of insurance with Etiqa, to any of the following persons, whether in Singapore or elsewhere:

  1. Etiqa’s related corporations or affiliates;
  2. Any of Etiqa’s contractors or third party service providers;
  3. Any regulatory, supervisory or other authority, court of law, tribunal or person, in any jurisdiction, where such disclosure is required by law, regulation, judgement or order of court or order of any tribunal or as a matter of practice;
  4. Any actual or potential assignee(s) or transferee(s) of any rights and obligations of Etiqa under or relating to my policy or policies for any purpose connected with the proposed assignment or transfer; and
  5. Any credit bureau, insurer or representative, for such purpose(s) that Etiqa in its reasonable opinion considers appropriate including but not limited to the purpose(s) of underwriting, customer servicing, investigation of Etiqa’s representatives and monitoring undesirable sales practices.

Eligibility Conditions

  1. The Insured, also known as the Applicant / Proposer, must be a Singapore citizen, Permanent Resident of Singapore or foreigner with a valid Work Pass, Student Pass, Dependant’s Pass or Long-Term Visit Pass.
  2. The Applicant/Proposer must be at least 18 years of age.
  3. For more information, please view our Policy Wording

Thanks for your interest.

Our Assurance Manager will reach out to you within 2 working days to assist you further.