Retirement anxiety is real: Here's how employers can help

3 min to read

17 July 2026

For many Filipino employees, retirement isn't something they can ignored. It's something they worry about but struggle to prepare for. This trend is gaining traction across much of today's workforce, spanning millennials and Gen Z employees.

They know the importance of saving, yet today's priorities often leave little room to think about tomorrow. Rising cost of living, transportation, groceries, rent, bills, and family responsibilities can quickly consume monthly paychecks, making retirement feel more like a distant goal than a realistic plan.

This concern is reflected in recent data. According to Manulife Philippines' Future-Proofing Young Pinoys study, 61% of Filipino Gen Zs and millennials say their biggest longevity concern is running out of money, while financial independence ranks as their top long-term priority.

Why retirement often takes a back seat

For many employees, especially the younger generation, the issue isn’t knowing that retirement matters. It’s finding enough room in their monthly budget to actually prepare for it.

According to a Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) discussion paper, the estimated monthly cost of living for one person in Manila is ₱38,313, excluding rent. Between rent, daily LRT or MRT commutes, grocery runs, and utility bills, many young professionals find themselves focused on covering today's expenses before they can start planning for retirement.

The pressure is even greater for employees with debt. A 2025 report from Roshi estimates that the average Filipino credit card holder owes around ₱92,800, while the average monthly income is approximately ₱21,900. When much of a paycheck is already committed before the month ends, setting money aside for retirement can feel unrealistic.

Helping employees create more room to save

Financial worries don't disappear when employees arrive at work. Concerns about debt, bills, and unexpected expenses can affect overall well-being, morale, and retention.

Employees are often encouraged to invest early or contribute to long-term savings options such as Pag-IBIG MP2. While the advice is sound, it can feel overwhelming for employees who are just beginning to build their savings or are living paycheck to paycheck.

One practical way employers can help is by easing some of those regular expenses. When employees spend less on groceries, meals, or other essentials, they have greater flexibility to put part of their salary toward emergency savings or retirement funds.

How Pluxee can help

With Pluxee Gifts, employers can provide additional non-cash rewards and allowances that employees can use at over 17,000 partner merchants nationwide for everyday purchases such as groceries, dining, shopping, and other essentials.

By helping cover employees' expenses with Pluxee Gifts, employers can give employees more flexibility in how they use their regular income. For some, those extra funds may go toward an emergency fund. For others, it could be the first step toward building long-term savings for retirement.