The ‘sandwich generation’ is caught between supporting aging parents and securing their own future

Many Filipino breadwinners sacrifice savings, health, and retirement plans as family expenses continue to rise.

Rising family expenses are forcing more Filipino breadwinners to delay their own financial goals as they balance supporting aging parents while raising their children or helping provide for younger siblings.

Known as the “sandwich generation,” these adults are often caught between immediate household needs and the need to prepare for their own future, with healthcare, education, and daily expenses competing for already limited income.

The Manulife Asia Care Survey 2026 found that 68% of Filipinos provide financial support to family members, with respondents spending nearly half of their monthly income on relatives. Another 67% also provide unpaid care, averaging 32 hours a week to look after loved ones.

This pressure highlights the challenge faced by many Filipino households, where working-age family members often step in to fill gaps in healthcare, education, and social protection.

The Philippine Statistics Authority’s Family Income and Expenditure Survey shows that family support remains a major source of financial assistance among households. Meanwhile, government pension and social protection programs continue to cover only a portion of retirement needs for many workers.

This puts pressure on the long-term financial stability of breadwinners supporting multiple generations. Caregiving responsibilities make it harder to become financially independent, as some even delay their own medical care because their family’s needs came first.

But despite these challenges, expectations are slowly shifting as fewer surveyed Filipinos expect financial support from their children in old age. Many are now looking toward personal savings, investments, and retirement planning to avoid passing the same burden to the next generation.

As more Filipinos enter the sandwich generation, strengthening financial literacy, retirement preparation, and social protection systems will be crucial in helping families support one another without passing on the same financial pressures to future generations.

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