Singapore’s Wealthy Investors Face a Planning Gap

Singapore’s Wealthy Investors Face a Planning Gap

Singapore’s affluent investors remain confident about their financial future, yet many are neglecting retirement and wealth-transfer planning, according to a new HSBC survey.

Singapore’s affluent investors are displaying a striking contradiction: confidence in their financial future remains high, but preparation for key life-stage events continues to lag.

According to HSBC’s Global Affluent Investor Snapshot 2026, only 20 percent of affluent investors in Singapore currently use retirement-planning services, while just 9 percent use wealth-transfer planning services, despite both ranking among their most important financial priorities. 

The findings suggest a sizeable opportunity for private banks, wealth managers and family-office advisers as Singapore’s wealthy population grows and portfolios become increasingly complex.

Gen Z Looks Beyond Singapore

The survey also found that younger investors are leading the push towards international diversification.

Among affluent Gen Z investors in Singapore, 55 percent prefer investment exposure outside their home market, exceeding both the Singapore average of 50 percent and the global Gen Z average of 49 percent. 

At the same time, confidence among Gen Z investors has weakened noticeably. The sharpest decline was recorded in medium-term financial goals, where confidence fell to 48 percent from 73 percent a year earlier. 

HSBC said the younger generation remains strongly focused on wealth creation and financial security, but growing market uncertainty appears to be weighing on their expectations.

Confidence Remains High

Despite those concerns, overall investor sentiment in Singapore remains robust.

Confidence in achieving short-term financial goals rose to 78 percent, while confidence in medium- and long-term goals reached 63 percent and 65 percent, respectively. At the same time, retirement planning, wealth preservation and financial security remain the top priorities for affluent investors. 

International diversification continues to play an important role. Half of Singapore’s affluent investors now seek investment opportunities beyond their domestic market, above the global average of 47 percent. 

Demand for More Sophisticated Solutions

The research also points to growing demand for a broader range of investment products.

Globally, investors intend to increase allocations to insurance products, alternatives and gold over the next 12 months. Insurance ownership is expected to rise from 39 percent to 57 percent, while alternative investments could increase from 27 percent to 44 percent. Gold remains another area of growing interest. 

Younger investors are expected to be the main drivers of demand for alternative investments, private equity and digital assets, according to the study. 

Ashmita Acharya, Head of International Wealth and Premier Banking at HSBC Singapore, said the findings highlight the need for more holistic wealth-planning solutions.

As portfolios become increasingly international and multi-asset in nature, translating financial ambitions into actionable plans remains a key challenge for many investors, she noted.