Recent global index ranking showed the Philippines as having the second worst retirement income system among 44 economies. To address this, Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), a major life insurance company in the country, offers options and solutions to address Filipinos’ retirement woes.

The Mercer-CFA Institute’s Global Pension Index, which benchmarks global retirement income systems, recently listed the Philippines 43^rd out of 44 economies with the country receiving an overall grade of “D.” This grade indicates that the pension system has desirable features but also possesses major weaknesses that need to be addressed.

Coming from this index, Sun Life Grepa is providing options for sustainable retirement benefits. With the volatility of inflation and increasing cost of living especially when it comes to elderly care, it is important to prepare for a future that covers these concerns. After all, government pension may not be enough during retirement as one’s income decreases while expenses increase on bills, travel, home improvement and inevitably, medical or long-term care.

“We are aware of the struggles and challenges facing the Philippine landscape when it comes to retirement, insurance, and protection. That’s why Sun Life Grepa, along with YGC (Yuchengco Group of Companies), is offering solutions to future-proof the lives of many Filipinos. There are various ways to prepare for the golden age of retirement so Filipinos can live their sunset years more comfortably without worrying about the burden of expenses. Sun Life Grepa would like to be a part of a more financially literate and healthy Philippines and equip our kababayans with knowledge, products and services that could help plan and prepare for the years ahead,” Sun Life Grepa President Richard S. Lim says.

Sun Life Grepa encourages Filipinos to secure the future by getting them covered and by seeking professional advice from a financial advisor. With Sun Life Grepa’s life insurance plans, you can prepare for your retirement needs. Here are some of the Sun Life Grepa products that are relevant to address your retirement needs:

Sun Grepa Power Builder 5 or Sun Grepa Power Builder 10 is a life insurance plan that provides protection up to age 88 and coverage that is at least double the policy’s Face Amount. As an investment-linked insurance, it also comes with suitable investment options to potentially grow the fund over the long-term. It allows partial withdrawals to help pay for expenses during retirement. It also has manageable premium payments with the option to pay for 5 and 10 years for Sun Grepa Power Builder 5 and Sun Grepa Power Builder 10, respectively.

Another one is Sun Grepa ProSecure Plus, where you can get life insurance coverage that is double the Face Amount from Day 1 up until the age of 100. It provides regular guaranteed cash benefits amounting to 8% of the policy’s Face Amount starting from the 6th policy anniversary, and every other year afterwards, as long as the insured is still alive, thereby providing that much-needed cashflow during one’s retirement. It may also earn non-guaranteed dividends that can be withdrawn, used to pay future premiums or additional coverage, or left with Sun Life Grepa to accumulate.

Make your golden years one of the most exciting and fulfilling times of your life. There is more to retirement than just sitting around and watching life go by. It is a time to live life to the fullest, pursuing interests and passions as well as maximizing things that matter in one’s life. You can prepare for a comfortable and experience-filled future with Sun Life Grepa.

For more information on insurance and investment products to start planning for the sunset years and for your legacy, call 88499633, visit any Sun Life Grepa branch, log on to www.sunlifegrepa.com or email wecare@sunlifegrepa.com

Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), a major life insurance company in the country, ends 2022 on a positive note, posting 25% increase in the number of affiliated medical providers and implementing transformations on digital platforms to strengthen its group members’ access to health insurance and medical providers nationwide.

Sun Life Grepa has now grown its affiliated partner hospitals and clinics to more than 1,300 across the country covering far-flung and rural areas to provide ease of access to serve the needs of clients. The company is expected to continue growing its current base of healthcare provider partners even further in the coming year to better service its clients.

Apart from its growing list of affiliated medical providers, Sun Life Grepa also intends to make its products and services more accessible in the digital landscape. With the launch of Sun Life Grepa Healthcare TeleConsult, Group Medical members may now consult with doctors in the comfort of their own homes. Sun Life Grepa also enhanced its online servicing (via Facebook Messenger and Facebook FAQ tab) to include semi-automated requests for LOA (Letter of Authorization) Issuance and Teleconsult. From its launch in 2022, it has served and addressed almost 2,000 customer inquiries and concerns online.

In addition to the Sun Life Grepa Healthcare TeleConsult, the company fortified its digital assets in 2022 and is set to implement enhancements to better serve the clients through the comprehensive Medical Provider Locator. It aims to provide real-time information on the HIP (Health Insurance Partner) partner hospitals, clinics and doctors nearest the Group Medical members.

“Digital transformation is one of our priorities as the market continues to pivot to digital. We need to be where the clients are so we can communicate with them and address their needs. Just as digital is essential to our day-to-day operations, so is customer care. It is our way of letting them know they can rely on us as we continue to apply enhancements and improve access to our digital channels,” Lim says. “Our work at Sun Life Grepa is in line with YGC’s (Yuchengco Group of Companies) vision to future-proof the lives of Filipinos by developing innovative products that would help ensure wellness when it comes to physical health or financial,” Sun Life Grepa President Richard S. Lim states.

“All of these expansion efforts demonstrate Sun Life Grepa’s commitment to provide convenient and easy access to quality healthcare for the Filipinos. While it’s vital for us to develop life and health insurance products that are relevant and would provide security to our client base, it is equally important for us that we have partner providers that can be easily reached in key and strategic locations across the nation. After all, it is imperative that our member company clients can readily avail of their benefits and services from our affiliates. We understand how urgent medical emergencies and healthcare needs can be for employees of member companies,” he adds 

For inquiries about the Sun Life Grepa Healthcare programs and services, contact your Sun Life Grepa advisor, visit any Sun Life Grepa branch or email groupsales@sunlifegrepa.com. You may also direct your inquiries at the official Sun Life Grepa Healthcare Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SunLifeGrepaHealthcare.

The holiday season has just wrapped up, with 13^th month pay and holiday bonuses making things merrier for you, your family, and loved ones. But who says you can’t play Santa year-round? Here are seven smart strategies to make your hard-earned monetary benefits last for yourself and the ones you hold dear.

#1: Reward yourself and others.

Rewarding yourself is a good habit to build — a good motivation to keep going and feel proud of your accomplishments, both big and small. It benefits your mental health, raises dopamine levels in your brain to feel happy, increases memory retention, induces better sleep, and regulates your mood and appetite, to name a few. The same can be said of giving.

In wanting to share your blessings with others, you may explore the following:

• Book your loved ones a staycation or spa retreat.
• Treat your siblings or trusted help to a hearty meal.
• Offer the gift of education by sponsoring a child scholar.
• Donate to your favorite charity or to those affected by calamities and disasters.
• Get together with a few friends and organize a charity event, volunteering your time and talent in the process.

There’s no need to go big every time; every little effort counts, and it’s the spirit of self-love and sharing that ultimately matters. 

#2: Pay off your debts.

It might seem like the Grinch has knocked on your door last Christmas and stayed to ruin the entire year. But paying off your debt gives you the peace of mind that comes with not owing anyone money.

Remember though that there’s no need to settle the entire debt amount right away. Here’s a technique: pay off the loans with the largest fees and charges first, particularly if you find yourself in a debt avalanche. This way you save a little from interest rates and pay the rest faster.

#3: Save or get a head start on investing.

Tuck money away for a specific goal or simply boost your savings. Explore opening a high-yield savings account. Save for a house or a trip, beef up your emergency fund, or open a new savings account if you haven’t. Whatever it is, you should get motivated to save even more money for the future or the proverbial rainy days.

If you’re in your early 20s or even much later (better now than never), start investing. But if you’re already in the game, diversify your portfolio to reap greater gains later on from your passive income. Sound options include:

• Mutual funds, where you can start investing for as low as P1,000
• Stocks, a high-risk, high-reward option where you can flex your investing muscle a little more
• Real estate, where you can check if your bonus can cover part of the down payment for a lot or a condominium unit to rent out for added income

#4: Travel or follow your leisure.

Indulge in the gift of experience by booking that flight, planning a beach holiday, taking a cruise, or camping on the mountainside. Create memories alone or with your family or friends, and you will be surprised at how much physical and mental well-being serves as a great non-financial return.

#5: Fund home renovation or a DIY home improvement project.

Use your extra cash to make your home a better place to live in. It doesn’t have to be a significant home improvement plan; you may simply allocate a budget to replace old roof, wires and sockets, or plywood. If you’re bored with those old bedspreads, wall paint, or curtains, redecorate. You may also purchase a replacement TV set or refrigerator finally, or buy seeds and supplies for that lush flowering or vegetable plant corner to make your plantito/plantita dreams come true.

#6: Invest in yourself through online courses or a new hobby.

Enroll in an online course you always wanted to take, whether as a happiness project or to increase your chances of getting promoted or landing a coveted job. While free online courses are aplenty, paid ones come with certificates issued by reputable institutions, serving as proof of completion. You may also pay for a subscription to a professional league or a membership to your local chamber of commerce or industry association – a great way to meet new people or network to further your career.

If you want self-enrichment to feel joy and satisfaction, then you should go for the course your heart is crying out for: a perfume-making workshop, basic fashion course, or perhaps an advanced baking class.

#7: Give the gift of wellness.

Prioritize your health and wellness by finally going for that gym membership, shopping for new workout gear, or paying for services that promote good health, from organic food delivery to nutritionist services. You may also ensure a safe, healthy future through insurance, which is often overlooked yet keeps you covered when tragedy or illness strikes.

While there are many options for insurance coverage out there, Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa) is among the few that offers a comprehensive life and health protection plan. Providing financial benefits when you needed them most, a plan like Sun Grepa ICU Protect ensures coverage until age 100 in case of ICU confinement, diagnosis of a covered major critical illness, and untimely passing. On top of all these, you also get to enjoy any one of the preventive health care benefits such as flu or pneumonia vaccination, preventive medical exam, or COVID-19 screening test. You may avail yourself of this plan at a young age to enjoy health protection for life.

The beauty of most of Sun Life Grepa’s health protection plans is the range of benefits for every key stage of your health journey. “From prevention and diagnosis to treatment and recovery, we’re there to meet our clients’ needs. On top of that, they get maximum protection through lifetime insurance coverage, providing comfort and peace of mind during uncertainty,” Sun Life Grepa President Richard S. Lim said.

To know how Sun Life Grepa health protection plans can help keep building your brighter future, contact a Sun Life Grepa advisor, visit any Sun Life Grepa branch, or email wecare@sunlifegrepa.com. 

Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), one of the major life insurers in the country, recently received the Great Place to Work® certification after its employees affirmed the company’s positive work culture in a survey.   The employee survey was conducted independently by Great Place to Work®, the global standard of workplace excellence and culture.  

“This shows how we truly value not only our clients but our employees as well,” Sun Life Grepa President Richard S. Lim said. “We consider our people our greatest asset. That is why, we invest in opportunities that develop a culture that is not only engaging, but also nurturing, empowering, and inclusive and in which our people get to grow with our business.”  

According to the survey, 92% of respondents said that Sun Life Grepa is a physically safe place to work in while 89% said that the company makes them feel welcome. Some 87% believed that their work has a special meaning and is not just a job.   

Moreover, 88% of respondents said that they are proud to tell others that they work in Sun Life Grepa and they feel a “sense of pride” over what they have accomplished.   

“These results tell us that creating healthy work-life boundaries brings out the best in our employees,” Lim added. “This milestone will be a great opportunity for us to work towards making Sun Life Grepa an even greater place to work in the future.”   Sun Life Grepa continues to welcome talents looking for a workplace that will allow them to harness their full potential. For more information about career possibilities at Sun Life Grepa, visit https://www.sunlifegrepa.com/home/about-us/careers/. 

There are a significant
number of possibilities to diversify portfolios and explore global
opportunities. In today’s world of interconnectivity, nothing seems to be out
of reach, even in the aspect of investment opportunities.  

Sun Life Grepa Financial,
Inc., one of the major insurers in the country, is launching SLG Peso Global
Opportunity Payout Fund, its newest global Variable Unit-Linked Fund that
allows clients to expand the reach of their Philippine Pesos and gain easy
access to offshore investments.

SLG Peso Global Opportunity
Payout Fund is operating as a fund-of-funds that invests in foreign
currency-denominated, income-generating financial assets. These assets may
include exchange-traded funds, equity-linked securities, fixed income
instruments issued by the Philippines, United States, and other foreign
governments and corporations, or similar securities.  

“Our goal has always been to offer our clients relevant financial
products, especially in this new landscape,” Sun Life Grepa President Richard
S. Lim said. “The launch of the dollar-based fund of the SLG Global Opportunity
Payout Fund has been a success and with this, we want to provide our clients
with similar features but this time, in Peso,” Lim added.

“SLG Peso Global Opportunity Payout Fund is a good outlet for our
clients who are looking to build exposure to a wide spectrum of global assets
since the fund invests in both fixed income and equity markets. With the help
of Sun Life Grepa’s expert fund managers, clients can also take advantage of
the income opportunities and enjoy a sustainable stream of payouts that they
can use for any financial need,” he said.

SLG Peso Global Opportunity
Payout Fund is offered as a fund option to any Sun Life Grepa’s
peso-denominated investment-linked insurance plans, which provide coverage
until age 88 or 100, depending on the plan chosen.  

Generate income beyond
borders using your Peso with SLG Peso Global Opportunity Payout Fund. For more
information, go to www.sunlifegrepa.com, contact your Sun Life Grepa advisor,
visit any Sun Life Grepa or RCBC branch or email wecare@sunlifegrepa.com.
 

Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa) has launched a comprehensive insurance package for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), catering to the need for financial inclusion among the country’s economic backbone – the MSMEs.

The life insurer recently launched MSME MyBiz, a suite of insurance products that aim to address the wellness, protection, and recovery needs of MSMEs with five to 200 employees.

Its Sun Life Grepa Healthcare Division developed three simple, affordable, and comprehensive packages for MSMEs in whatever business life cycle they are in — from start-up or a growing business, to an established enterprise.

For start-ups, Sun Life Grepa offers Accident ProSafe, a comprehensive group accident protection that provides a guaranteed benefit in case of accidental death, dismemberment, or disablement; an accident medical reimbursement benefit that reimburses inpatient and outpatient medical expenses incurred to treat bodily injuries due to an accident; and a group hospital cash benefit that provides a fixed cash benefit for every full day of hospital confinement due to an accident.

For MSMEs in the growing stage, Sun Life Grepa has developed Smart Care Plus, a packaged group life and health insurance plan to help MSMEs insure their people for contingencies such as sickness, accidents, or disability. Its robust protection plan includes benefits such as a lumpsum amount in the event of an employee’s death due to any cause, including those arising from COVID-19; total and permanent disability income benefit, terminal illness benefit; and accidental death, dismemberment, and disablement benefit with medical reimbursement.

For established MSMEs, the insurer offers HIPSTER, a group medical package that helps enterprises secure their workforce against mild or serious medical conditions, as well as beef up their employee health and medical benefits package to attract and retain employees.

“The concept of the entire Wellness, Protection, and Recovery ecosystem was designed to help thriving entrepreneurs keep their people protected and productive. We attribute the success of the concept so far to having the right blend of starter products that are truly useful at different stages of business operation,” said Sun Life Grepa Head of Group Sales and Strategies Justine G. Daguman.

The company is riding high after bagging the “MSME Insurer Initiative of the Year – Philippines” award from the Insurance Asia Awards 2022 for its campaign that tapped into the MSME market where the majority remains underinsured.

To know how Sun Life Grepa can help sustain your MSME’s and your workforce’s bright future, contact a Sun Life Grepa advisor, go to any Sun Life Grepa branch, or visit Sun Life Grepa Healthcare’s Facebook page.

Hypertension is usually called the “silent killer” and for a reason. Most people don’t even know they have one as they don’t feel any symptoms. Like many internal diseases, it is often hard to spot until telling signs emerge or something ruptures.

While hypertension is not a heart disease, it is a serious medical condition that significantly increases the risks of heart, brain, kidney, and other diseases. Even at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic from January to October 2021 when registered deaths climbed to a historic high of 75,285, heart diseases still took more lives than the dreaded virus at 126,000 deaths, according to preliminary figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority as of June 2022.

Dr. Krizia Yap-Uy, Chief Fellow of Adult Cardiology at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City, spoke about hypertension and other matters of the heart in Breaking the Silence on Silent Killers: Understanding and Prevention of Hypertension, Stroke and Heart Attack, a webinar sponsored by Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), one of the country’s major insurers. Under its “Healthier Life, Brighter Life” campaign, Sun Life Grepa aims to raise public awareness on the realities of facing hypertension.

Here are five surprising facts that Dr. Yap-Uy shared in the September 16, 2022 webinar:

1. Half of the reason for hypertension is in your blood.

“Fifty-percent of hypertension is due to genetics.” Dr. Yap-Uy said it gets passed down through one’s genes. So children or grandchildren whose family has a history of hypertension or heart disease must keep a close watch on their blood pressure.

2. What you eat affects your heart health.

Another significant contributing factor to hypertension is diet. A 24-year study by Stanford Medicine reveals that Filipinos are especially vulnerable to hypertension because of the food they eat. The daily Filipino diet contains an average of 12 grams of salt, eight times the recommended amount by the American Heart Association, according to the study. Dr. Yap-Uy recommended a diet low in salt, low in fat, and low in red meat. “An ideal heart-healthy diet has more fruit, vegetables, whole grain and non-fat dairy products,” she added.

3. Filipinos have habits that harm the heart.

Heart it or hate it, the fact is Filipinos are prone to habits that can also harm their heart health.

And if there is one harmful habit that tops the list, it’s smoking. The Stanford Medicine study said 28% of Filipinos and 17% of Filipino-Americans smoke cigarettes. Dr. Yap-Uy said cutting cigarette consumption is key to good heart health.

Another harmful habit that doesn’t get much attention is overeating. Binging on food high in fat and sugar can often lead to a spike in blood pressure. Being overweight also increases the risk of atrial

fibrillation (AFib), an irregular heart rhythm that begins in the upper chambers of the heart and can cause stroke, heart failure or other complications.

4. A heart attack and a stroke are not the same.

The terms “heart attack” and “stroke” are often interchangeably used, but actually mean two different things that affect two different major organs. Dr. Yap-Uy clarified that a “heart attack occurs when one or more arteries of the heart become blocked.” A stroke, on the other hand, is a brain attack that can be caused by two things: “either the artery of the brain gets blocked or there is a rupture of an artery in the vein.”

Watch out for these tell-tale signs of a heart attack that include chest pains, lightheadedness, nausea and shortness of breath. On the other hand, tell-tale signs of a stroke include face drooping, speech difficulty or slurring, severe headache and visual difficulty.

5. It’s easy to take good care of your heart.

Taking good care of one’s heart health is easier than one thinks. Dr. Yap-Uy said having a regular blood pressure check is the simplest way to find out if someone is in danger of hypertension or managing it. For Filipinos, the ideal blood pressure is 130/80 for adults and 140/90 for older people. A simple blood test could also help determine if the hypertension is accompanied by other comorbidities such as diabetes, high cholesterol and uric acid levels.

Hypertension, stroke, heart attack and other heart diseases can be debilitating, as well as financially draining. Out-of-pocket medical expenses associated with major illnesses can be avoided with foresight: being mindful and vigilant about one’s health, as well as getting insured.

A Lifetime of Wellness

At Sun Life Grepa, there are four health protection plans available to take care of health needs at every life stage:

· Sun Grepa Fit and Well is a New Generation Wellness Product that offers a comprehensive life and health protection no matter what happens, giving clients and their family comfort and peace of mind in times of great distress caused by a serious illness. This plan can be availed at a young age to enjoy health protection for life.

· Sun Grepa Senior Care is a combined benefit of savings and comprehensive health protection even at a late stage in life, providing coverage during one’s golden years. This plan is for those who are already in the pre-retirement or retirement stage, protecting their hard-earned savings even if an illness strikes.

· Sun Grepa ICU Protect is a severity-based health insurance plan that enables you to live a healthier life as well as ensures your financial health should any life-threatening conditions happen.

· Sun Grepa ProHealth is a convenient and affordable health solution to help you get through any stage of a critical illness so you can be healthy to live the life you envisioned. This plan does not require a medical examination for clients from 18 to 60 years old and suited for clients who are looking for affordable health coverage with maximum health protection.

“Sun Life Grepa’s health insurance plans can help create a safety net to protect your family and your wealth so you can enjoy a lifetime of wellness,” Sun Life Grepa President Richard S. Lim said.

To know how Sun Life Grepa health protection plans can help keep building your brighter future, contact a Sun Life Grepa advisor, visit any Sun Life Grepa branch, or email wecare@sunlifegrepa.com.

Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), a major life insurance company in the country, has just launched a new product that allows its clients to build and strengthen their financial portfolio. Sun Grepa Wealth Prime is a single-pay life insurance plan that provides guaranteed annual payouts and a money-back guarantee after 7 years on top of its guaranteed life insurance protection.

“We are excited to offer this new product to help more clients ease their financial worries and put certainty on their savings,” Sun Life Grepa President Richard S. Lim said. “We want to give them a chance to accelerate growth in their finances while protecting their family’s future and preserving their wealth,” he added.

For a limited-time offer, the Sun Grepa Wealth Prime is designed to help clients secure the future of their loved ones with a seven-year guaranteed life insurance protection.

Aside from that, clients can enjoy guaranteed annual earnings equal to 4% of the single premium paid, starting at the end of the first policy year until maturity. It also functions as a means of wealth preservation as clients can expect a 100% return of their single premium payment after the policy has matured.

Furthermore, the product also offers a hassle-free application and policy approval process through the guaranteed insurability offer, subject to the limits of Sun Life Grepa.

“This product is ideal for risk-averse clients who are seeking an alternative solution to traditional savings and looking for diversification and overall stability,” Lim said.

For more information, go to www.sunlifegrepa.com, contact your Sun Life Grepa advisor, visit any Sun Life Grepa branch or email wecare@sunlifegrepa.com.

It is believed that healthy employees make a happier and productive workforce. Maintaining such a state has been a challenge as the business workforce continues to evolve in the current hybrid environment. 

Nowadays, employers are finding more innovative ways to create a culture of wellness to help employees continue being productive while building healthy habits in both their personal and professional lives.     

This holds true in Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), a major life insurance company in the country. For Sun Life Grepa, this culture of health has meant developing holistic wellness programs for its employees that improve not only their physical well-being but their mental health as well.  These programs also demonstrate the company’s support for the United Nations’ Millennium Sustainable Development Goal #3 which aspires to ensure health and well-being for all. 

As part of driving this goal in the organization, Sun Life Grepa has recently launched SLGFI Cares for YOU, with its flagship Employee Assistance Program. The company-sponsored benefit provides free, confidential counseling as well as information and resources for the mental, emotional, legal, family, work-life and financial wellness needs of employees and their family members. Employees may avail of this via a dedicated 24/7 hotline.

Aside from the new program, Sun Life Grepa has been successfully running wellness webinars for its employees and continues to conduct such sessions throughout 2022. Some topics include Motivation and Mindset, The Power of Habits, Resiliency, Psychology of Stress and many more. On the other hand, to encourage a healthy lifestyle Sun Life Grepa also set in motion a series of virtual exercises such as Zumba, Boxing, Aerobics that employees and their family members can enjoy doing in the comfort and safety of their homes.     

Moreover, in support of the nationwide vaccination efforts of the government, Sun Life Grepa employees and nominated dependents got their free COVID-19 vaccine (primary and booster shots). This was done to ensure a workplace that is free of known hazards and minimize the risk of infection. At present, more than 99% of Sun Life Grepa’s almost 600-strong workforce has received the COVID-19 vaccine. 

“Promoting the health and overall wellbeing of our employees is a priority for Sun Life Grepa. Our mental and physical health is crucial for us to remain productive, motivated and engaged. As we help clients achieve lifetime financial security and healthier lives, we want the same for our employees. Here at Sun Life Grepa, we believe that supporting the well-being of our employees will not only help them achieve their goals as individuals, but will also help us deliver on our mission and purpose as a company,” said Sun Life Grepa Human Resources Head, Pinky Moreno.   

With these efforts, Sun Life Grepa continues to work on providing a sustainable work environment that has a mix of personal growth, fulfillment and wellness. Visit www.sunlifegrepa.com/careers to learn more.