For Gen Z, adulting is not necessarily about following the same checklist as the generations before them. The goals may still be familiar, including financial stability, good health, a fulfilling career, and eventually a home of their own, but the path toward achieving them looks different.
For young Filipinos, “having it together” increasingly means finding meaningful work, building financial independence, staying healthy, and working toward homeownership while navigating the financial realities of everyday life.
WHAT DO GEN ZS REALLY WANT?
Like previous generations, Gen Z still wants to reach milestones such as financial stability and homeownership. Many are becoming more intentional about the jobs they take on or are considering starting their own businesses, looking for work that can provide both personal fulfillment and financial growth.
Health is another long-term priority. Having come of age during the COVID-19 pandemic and witnessed its effects on physical and mental health, many Gen Zs have adopted a more wellness-focused mindset, incorporating healthier eating habits and time for exercise into their routines.
Taken together, these priorities suggest that Gen Z is not necessarily rejecting traditional ideas of success. Instead, young adults are looking for ways to achieve financial independence while pursuing work that also offers growth, fulfillment, and purpose.
WHAT’S STANDING BETWEEN GEN ZS AND THEIR GOALS?
Financial security remains one of the biggest obstacles. A Deloitte global study found that 52% of Gen Z respondents live paycheck to paycheck, leaving many young adults with little room beyond day-to-day expenses.
With more of their income going toward immediate needs, building savings can become increasingly difficult. The same Deloitte study found that 41% of Gen Z respondents worldwide worry they will not be able to retire comfortably, while research from Boston Consulting Group found that only 46% of Filipinos feel prepared for a financial crisis.
These pressures can make traditional milestones feel more difficult to reach, particularly when young adults are trying to balance current expenses with future goals such as homeownership, entrepreneurship, health, and retirement.
HOW GEN ZS ARE TURNING THEIR DREAMS INTO REALITY
At the same time, financial literacy among Filipino adults is improving. A Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Consumer Expectations Survey cited in the material found that financial literacy increased to 74% in 2025 from 64% in 2021.
Young Filipinos are also becoming more connected to formal financial tools. BSP figures cited in the release show that the share of young adults aged 15 to 19 with financial accounts, including bank accounts, e-wallets, and other transaction accounts, increased from 27% in 2021 to 34% in 2025.
These figures do not mean that Gen Z has everything figured out financially. They do, however, suggest growing access to financial knowledge and tools that can help young people make more informed decisions.
Financial planning also goes beyond saving for a specific milestone. Unexpected expenses and life events can disrupt even carefully made plans, making protection and contingency planning another part of staying on track.
BUILDING TOWARD LONG-TERM GOALS
EastWest Ageas developed Dream Builder as a protection solution to help Filipino Gen Zs work toward longer-term goals while safeguarding their financial plans.
Dream Builder offers guaranteed 5% annual cash payouts that policyholders can use to build financial security and set aside funds for future needs. The product is available in 10-Pay, 5-Pay, and the newer 2-Pay options, giving policyholders different ways to structure payments around their priorities and budgets.
The product fits into a broader shift in how younger adults approach financial planning. Rather than waiting until every other milestone is in place, Gen Z can build savings and protection into their plans while still addressing present-day needs.
ADULTING ON THEIR OWN TERMS
Gen Z still values milestones such as homeownership, long-term health, fulfilling work, and financial independence, but reaching them may no longer follow the same timeline as it did for previous generations.
For a generation balancing today’s expenses with tomorrow’s ambitions, adulting may be less about reaching every milestone by a certain age and more about making thoughtful financial choices that keep those goals within reach.
More information about the product is available through the EastWest Ageas Dream Builder page.