24 February 2025

Manulife Investments and Maybank Launch Customisable Investment Solutions, Redefining Retirement Planning for Every Life Stage

SINGAPORE – Manulife Investments and Maybank are pleased to announce the exclusive launch of Manulife Empower Solutions (the Empower Solutions), a customisable suite of investment funds designed to address investors’ evolving goals and retirement planning needs. Targeting a broad spectrum of investors, the Empower Solutions aim to provide tailored pathways to help clients achieve financial security at every life stage—from growing one’s savings to preserving wealth during retirement.

The Empower Solutions redefine traditional retirement planning by using a range of fund solutions used in a glide path approach, specially designed for investors of all age groups. This approach ensures that portfolios evolve seamlessly alongside investors’ changing needs and risk appetites throughout their life journey. For example, the glidepath methodology adjusts from maximizing wealth accumulation during early years to focusing on minimizing drawdowns in later years and sustaining income through retirement.

Hui-Jian Koh, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore, Manulife Investments said: “We are excited to partner with Maybank in offering an innovative solution designed to meet the evolving retirement needs of people in Singapore. Existing retirement solutions often rely on pre-determined risk profiles set at inception, which may not adapt to changes in an investor’s risk tolerance, income, or retirement age. This rigidity could result in investors being under-invested or overly cautious, potentially limiting their returns and hence ability to achieve their retirement goals. The Empower Solutions are structured to fill this gap by offering the flexibility to adapt both leading up to and throughout one’s retirement.

Alvin Lee, Maybank Singapore Country CEO said: “We are delighted to partner with Manulife Investments to develop investment solutions with flexible portfolio structures that adapt to customers’ financial priorities across different life stages, enhancing their retirement planning and securing their financial future. As Singapore will be a “super-aged” society by 2026, the Empower Solutions enable customers to achieve their wealth and income goals at every life stage. By leveraging our combined investment insights, digital capabilities and multi-asset expertise, we deliver differentiated solutions to our clients, tailored to their evolving needs.”

Hui-Jian Koh added: “Retirement planning is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Life events may occur that require making necessary pivots in retirement plans. Separately, our proprietary retirement research series, Diverse Asia, revealed that 80% of Singaporeans prioritise family needs over their own, which adds complexity to retirement planning in an ageing population with average life expectancy of 83 years. The Empower Solutions are crafted to help clients work towards achieving their financial goals while supporting their loved ones.”

Building on this insight, Marc Franklin, Senior Portfolio Manager, Deputy Head, Asia Asset Allocation, Manulife Investments said: “The Empower Solutions house a suite of investment funds that are drawn from the customised glidepath, including the Empower Income, Empower Conservative, Empower Moderate, and Empower Growth funds. The Empower Solutions allow for two approaches: the baseline evolution of investments that follows the customised glidepath, or the personalized approach to evolving allocations which deviate from the customised glidepath and adapt to each investor’s particular needs and circumstances. We will continually strive to provide clients with industry-leading investment solutions to achieve their financial goals.”

Developed and managed by Manulife Investments’ Multi-Asset Solutions Team, the Empower Solutions comprise four distinct funds and deploy a global multi-asset investment strategy that combines equities, fixed income, and alternative assets for diversified investment exposure, offering income and growth opportunities. Investors can benefit from a customised blend of these funds, tailored to their specific goals. The funds include:

• Manulife Empower Income Fund: Aims to deliver consistent and regular income
• for customers with low risk tolerance.
• Manulife Empower Conservative Fund: Prioritizes capital preservation while seeking to offer modest upside returns, intended for customers with low risk tolerance.
• Manulife Empower Moderate Fund: Balances income generation and capital appreciation, tailored for customers with moderate risk tolerance.
• Manulife Empower Growth Fund: Aims to maximise total returns through capital appreciation with an actively managed approach, intended for customers with higher risk tolerance.

Marc Franklin added: “The Empower Solutions' design and capabilities reflect our belief in the importance of precision and being well informed in retirement planning. Our Multi-Asset Solutions Team sets itself apart through active management, combining high-conviction ideas from over 250 researched global multi-asset classes. We bring together a range of open-architecture building blocks to create tailored solutions that meet the diverse needs of our clients. With a deep understanding of retirement requirements across various ages, risk appetites, and local regulations, we blend innovation, customisation, and robust investment strategies to help clients achieve their desired outcomes.”

Advanced Digital Integration

Aimed at delivering exceptional customer experience, Manulife Investments and Maybank have enhanced the Empower Solutions by integrating a range of cutting-edge digital features, including Goal-based Investment Tools, “What if” Analysis and the Portfolio Simulation Tool.  These tools are designed to improve the experience for both clients and advisors by helping them set and work towards their retirement goals, assess the impact of various financial scenarios, and determine appropriate asset allocations. Combined with personalised advice, these advanced resources are aimed at keeping clients on track to achieve their financial goals.

The Empower Solutions are available exclusively through Maybank in Singapore.

For more information about the Manulife Empower Funds, visit https://www.manulifeim.com.sg/site/empower-funds.html.