Life expectancy in Malaysia has risen to 75.3 years. This is an increase of 1.3 years between 2023 and 2025 alone[@article-longevitystat]. As we explore what is longevity and how it affects us, our idea of a good life is evolving. Today, many people are focusing not just on wealth, but also on health and protection when planning for the future.
To guide us, Linda Yip (HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad), Dr Seow Vei Ken (Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City), and Charles Ong (Allianz Life Insurance Malaysia Berhad) share their advice for building a better quality of life as we live longer.
Success today is about more than money – it's about what wealth lets you experience. Linda Yip of HSBC Malaysia highlights a new trend: people are planning for longer, more active lives, not just a single retirement milestone.
One result of this shift is the "mini-retirement." An HSBC study found nearly half of affluent Malaysians plan to take 1- to 2-year career breaks, with many hoping to do so more than once, often starting in their mid-40s. Top reasons include enjoying time with family, focusing on well-being, and travelling.
Modern wealth and legacy planning, as Yip explains, is now about building financial flexibility across different life stages. The goal? Ensuring your finances last and support meaningful life experiences along the way.
Read more: Getting started on retirement planning
If there's one message that's clear, it's that health is wealth – especially as longevity increases. Longevity should mean living healthier, not just longer. Dr Seow Vei Ken urges a proactive approach: "For too long, health was treated reactively – people would wait until something went wrong. But longevity changes that."
He encourages small, steady investments in health, like regular check-ups and healthy habits, as these add up over time. "You can have the best career or wealth plan, but if it's built on exhaustion, it's not sustainable," he reminds us.
Protection bridges the gap between health and wealth, giving you peace of mind as you plan for the future. Charles Ong says, "Wealth gives people growth, health gives them vitality – but it is insurance that protects you when life takes an unexpected turn."
With the right coverage, Ong suggests you can:
He also emphasises the importance of legacy planning. "Securing one's legacy is more important than ever. Allianz Malaysia empowers everyone to safeguard their hard-earned wealth and build a future where what matters to them, lasts."
Do you need health, wealth, or protection the most? The answer is all 3.
"Health is the foundation and wealth is the enabler and protection is the safety net," says Dr Seow. Charles Ong calls protection the "invisible anchor."
Linda Yip concludes that the true power lies in finding the right balance. "Without financial means, options shrink. You can't do the things you enjoy like taking a mini-retirement or investing in your health if you don’t have the resources. That's the reason we've upgraded our Premier proposition – to bring together wealth, protection, health, travel and international support so our customers feel covered in every part of life."
With rising longevity, your plans must adapt. When health, wealth, and protection are part of one simple strategy, you're free to enjoy life now and for years to come.
To protect what matters most, explore HSBC Malaysia's protection plans and start your legacy planning for the future, today.
Join HSBC Premier. Enjoy up to 4.38% p.a. on your Time Deposit[@premier-td-promo-2026] and get up to 2 Apple devices[@premier-apple-promo-2026] when you invest and insure with us.
This article is based on a radio interview[@article-bfm-podcast] between BFM and Linda Yip, Country Head of International Wealth and Premier Banking at HSBC Malaysia; Dr Seow Vei Ken, CEO of Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City; and Charles Ong, CEO of Allianz Life Malaysia.
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