For young Filipinos, success is no longer just about ticking off life’s traditional milestones. It is about finding meaningful work, protecting their well-being, and making financial choices that bring their dreams closer to reality.

For many young Filipinos, adulting is less about following a prescribed timeline and more about figuring out what works for them. While financial stability, a fulfilling career, good health, and owning a home remain important goals, the journey toward achieving them is taking on a more personal and practical approach.

Today’s Generation Z is navigating a world where everyday expenses compete with long-term ambitions. They want careers that provide both income and purpose, lifestyles that support physical and mental well-being, and financial independence that gives them greater control over their future.

But between pursuing their dreams and meeting the demands of daily life, young adults are discovering that growing up also means learning to plan ahead.
Redefining What It Means to Have It Together
Like previous generations, Gen Z aspires to build stable lives and achieve meaningful milestones. What sets them apart is their growing desire to make choices that align with their personal values, professional ambitions, and financial circumstances.

Some are looking for careers that offer opportunities for growth and a sense of purpose, while others are exploring entrepreneurship as a way to pursue their interests and create additional opportunities for themselves.

Health and wellness have also become important considerations. Having come of age during the COVID-19 pandemic, many young people witnessed the impact of a major health crisis on everyday life. As a result, healthy eating, regular exercise, and attention to mental well-being have become part of how some young adults approach their routines.

For Gen Z, success is not necessarily about abandoning traditional milestones. It is about reaching them on their own terms—without losing sight of the life they want to enjoy along the way.
When Everyday Expenses Compete With Future Dreams
Despite their ambitions, financial security remains a significant challenge for many young adults.

A 2025 Deloitte global study found that 52% of Gen Z respondents were living paycheck to paycheck. The same study reported that 41% worried they would not be able to retire comfortably. Meanwhile, a Boston Consulting Group study on the Filipino Dream found that only 46% of Filipinos felt prepared for a financial crisis.

These findings reflect a challenge familiar to many young workers: when salaries are stretched across transportation, food, bills, and other daily necessities, setting aside money for savings can become difficult.

Building an emergency fund, preparing for major purchases, and thinking about retirement may feel like distant priorities when immediate expenses demand attention. Yet unexpected events can quickly change financial plans, making preparation an important part of working toward long-term goals.

For young Filipinos, adulting increasingly means learning how to balance the present with the future—even when resources are limited.
Small Financial Steps Can Make a Difference
There are encouraging signs that Filipinos are becoming more financially aware and gaining greater access to financial services.

According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Consumer Expectations Survey, financial literacy among Filipino adults increased from 64% in 2021 to 74% in 2025. BSP figures reported in April 2026 also showed that the share of young adults aged 15 to 19 with financial accounts—including bank accounts, e-wallets, and other transaction accounts—rose from 27% in 2021 to 34% in 2025.

While these figures do not mean every young Filipino has achieved financial security, they point to growing access to tools and information that can help people make more informed decisions.

Financial planning does not have to begin with a large investment or an elaborate strategy. For some, it starts with tracking expenses, setting realistic savings goals, understanding available financial products, and preparing for unexpected costs.

The important thing is to build habits that fit one’s circumstances and can be sustained over time.
A Financial Plan for Dreams That Take Time
Recognizing the aspirations of Filipinos and the need to protect their future, EastWest Ageas offers Dream Builder, a protection solution designed to help people work toward their goals while building financial security.

The product offers guaranteed annual cash payouts of 5%, according to the company, and comes with 10-Pay, 5-Pay, and 2-Pay payment options. These choices give prospective policyholders different payment periods to consider based on their financial priorities and budget.

As with any financial product, young adults should review the policy terms, benefits, charges, eligibility requirements, and conditions attached to the guaranteed payouts before deciding whether it suits their needs.

For those beginning their financial journey, the goal is not simply to find a product or plan that promises a better future. It is to understand the available options and choose an approach that fits their present circumstances and long-term priorities.

Learn more about Dream Builder at EastWest Ageas.
Adulting Is a Journey, Not a Race
For Gen Z, reaching adulthood does not have to mean achieving every major milestone by a certain age. A career may take time to develop, homeownership may require years of preparation, and financial independence may come through a series of small, consistent decisions.

What matters is having room to grow, the ability to adapt when circumstances change, and a plan that keeps future possibilities within reach.

In the end, adulting is not about having everything figured out. It is about making thoughtful choices, learning from experience, and building a future that reflects one’s own definition of success—one step at a time.