Most likely not.
Television executive-turned-entrepreneur Jose Ramon “Monchet” Olives asserts that preparation is important to be able to enjoy retirement. “You have to take care of yourself as life can send you something unexpected,” he says.
However, many Filipinos have a “bahala na” attitude when planning the future. Some of us don’t realize the future doesn’t take care of itself until it’s too late. And as young, able, adventurous individuals, we tend to neglect the importance of building a retirement savings or future fund thinking we have more time to do so.
But we can spend our retirement years in comfort and not in anxiety if we started early. Olives notes how happiness is vital to wellbeing after retiring. Nowadays, he spends his time as the general manager and head designer of the their family’s handcrafted fan business.
Having a more secured future also allows you to do what you want. Award-winning author, newspaper columnist, and former advertising executive Barbara Gonzales grew tired of the pressures associated with managing a large advertising agency so she opted for a less stressful, more meaningful, and productive retired life of making jewelry and conducting seminars on writing.
“Do what you want and have fun! Life should not end when you reach retirement age. It’s just the next phase,” enthuses Gonzales.
To help Filipinos strategically build a retirement fun, Axa Philippines offers Retire Smart.
Retire Smart is a savings approach that gradually build your future retirement fund with payments schemes “that are easy on the pocket,” while a portion of your premium is allocated to funds designed to grow your investment. It promises to maximize the growth of your savings while you’re young and automatically minimizes risk as you approach your target retirement age.
In addition, Retire Smart also has a life insurance coverage of five up to 25 times your annual basic premium, which will be given to your family in case of untimely demise.
Visit axa.com.ph to learn more.