Raising a child has never been easy. In today’s economic climate, it’s especially challenging. With tuition fees and healthcare costs on the rise, Filipino families face financial pressures that make long-term planning for their children harder yet more urgent than ever.

While many parents hope to give their children a better life, hope alone is no match to inflation, emergencies, and the rising cost of living. The question is no longer whether families should prepare for the future, but how soon they can begin.

Here are five reasons why now is the right time to secure your child’s future:

1. Inflation is eating into your child’s financial future.

The country’s inflation rate increased to 1.5% in August 2025 from 0.9% the previous month , and factors such as increasing geopolitical conflicts and the changing regulatory landscape may drive the rate further upwards. Parents must be prepared to manage the impact of rising costs on their children’s future, including essentials like education, healthcare, and daily living expenses.

What often gets overlooked is the compounding effect of inflation on long-term goals. What seems sufficient today may fall short in just a few years, which may leave children unprepared for the challenges that lie ahead.

2. Delaying protection could mean higher insurance costs.

Insurance premiums are rising alongside inflation . As life expectancy increases and healthcare costs soar, insurers adjust their rates accordingly. Moreover, medical underwriting becomes more stringent with age and health conditions. This means getting an insurance plan later can cost more than getting one now.

Buying protection plans early, while the child is still young and healthy, not only ensures lower premiums but also guarantees coverage for health concerns that may develop later in life. It also buys time for policies to accumulate value.

3. Education is getting more expensive every year.

The cost of education continues to rise as schools implement new technology-related and miscellaneous fees as well as other charges. In 2024, private schools have petitioned for tuition increases ranging from 3% to 12% for the 2024-2025 academic year, according to the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations of the Philippines (COCOPEA) .

With education costs steadily rising, it is prudent for parents to start saving as early as now to ensure their children have access to quality schooling when the time comes.

4. Emergencies can ruin even the best-laid plans.

When emergencies hit, education funds are often the first to be diverted. A report by The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) revealed a 39% national dropout rate in higher education, with financial constraints beyond tuition as the main reason .

There is no telling when an emergency or tragedy will arrive. However, the one thing that families have control over is their children’s education fund. Having an educational plan in place, even a modest one, guarantees that a child’s schooling is taken care of no matter what happens.

5. Early preparation gives peace of mind.

For most parents, securing a child’s future goes beyond finances. It’s about having peace of mind that, come what may, their children will be protected and supported. Insurance offers that peace of mind. It’s a way of making sure that even in the face of illness, loss, or unexpected hardship, a child’s education and well-being will not be compromised.

Ensuring Your Child’s Future

At Sun Life Grepa, parents can choose from four life insurance plans to ensure their children’s education:

• Sun Grepa Power Builder 5 and 10
  • A short-paying life insurance plan that provides access to investment outlets, helping parents build a future source of income while providing guaranteed life protection to secure for their child’s future.
• Sun Grepa Secure Income
  • For parents who prefer guaranteed returns, this is a life insurance product that offers guaranteed yearly payouts, offering a stable income stream to support your child’s education or other future needs.
• Sun Grepa Elev8
  • A savings and insurance plan that grows with the child, offering increasing protection benefits and guaranteed cash payouts every two years starting in the eighth policy year.

To know which insurance plan aligns with the future you want for your child, contact a Sun Life Grepa advisor, visit www.sunlifegrepa.com, follow us on Facebook or email sunlifegrepa@sunlifegrepa.com.