What Is The 'Sandwich Generation'? Find Out If You're Part Of It & How It Could Affect You
You may be part of this generation without even knowing it.
By Shiffa Aziz — 19 Jul 2022, 10:30 AM
Have you heard of the term 'Sandwich Generation'?
Those who grew up with family in Malaysia have probably experienced what it's like to be around (or even live with) cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents all the time.
From weekend makans at your grandma's house, to family vacations with the entire extended family, it's not unusual to be extra close to relatives beyond your immediate family.
That's what makes our culture so unique — we love our family members and care for them deeply. Even for extended family members, we feel a responsibility to make sure they are well taken care of, because ultimately, we are all family.
This culture of ours has led to many of us being part of the 'Sandwich Generation'.
The 'Sandwich Generation' refers to a group that has to juggle between providing for elderly relatives, while simultaneously taking care of their immediate family.
For instance, some adults stay with their elderly parents and young children under one roof. As the breadwinner of the family, these adult children have to support their elderly parents' daily expenses, while taking care of their own children. Another example would be a niece who takes care of her elderly aunt and her own family — both of which are financially dependent on her.
As Malaysia becomes an ageing nation, more and more people are taking on the responsibility of caring for elderly relatives
According to the Fifth Malaysian Population and Family Survey by the National Population and Family Development Board Malaysia (NPFDB), 70% of elderly Malaysians currently stay with their children or extended family members, like nephews, nieces, and cousins.
In fact, 8 in 10 of elderly parents receive financial assistance from their children, showing how much filial piety is part and parcel of our Malaysian culture. Besides that, 48% of children pay their parents' bills, while 67% help to buy food and other household goods.
For those in the 'Sandwich Generation', it's important to consider whether it is actually financially sustainable in the long-run
Many Malaysians in this category are the breadwinners at home, not only for their immediate family, but elderly relatives under their care.
From daily expenses for your children to healthcare bills for your elderly parents, aunts, and uncles, it can easily add up over time. That's why it's pivotal to plan ahead with insurance protection, so that you can provide financial support to your financial dependents, including extending family members, if anything untoward were to happen.
This even applies to loved ones like grandparents. For some of us, our grandparents are as dear to us as our own parents, and they've been there for us all these years. Now that they are under our care, having insurance adds that layer of security, knowing that they will be cared for no matter what.
That's why it's so important to make sure that you are financially protected, as well as your family too!
Understanding that family structures are constantly evolving, Prudential wants to ensure that families of all shapes and sizes get covered with their inclusive protection plans.
As part of their 'Made For Every Family' campaign, the insurer is also committed to protecting every family member, including your extended family, adoptive family, step family, and even grandparents.
Ultimately, Prudential's goal is for you and every family member, immediate and extended, to Live With Confidence
You can nominate anyone in the family as beneficiaries for your life insurance policy, as long as they're financially dependent on you.
On top of it, you can also buy insurance policies for your family members and loved ones, including those beyond your immediate family.
Thanks to Prudential's inclusive protection plans, you can rest assured that both you and your loved ones are in good hands. :)
Find out more about how you can insure your extended family on Prudential's website.
Prudential also launched Famvatar, a digital experience that lets you create a group avatar sticker starring your family.
You could stand a chance to win up to RM40,000* worth of prize just by sharing your Famvatar stickers online, woah! :D
STEP 1: Customise your family avatar via Prudential's Famvatar platform. Submit your details and be the first 100 users to download the Bonus stickers to win RM200 worth of travel vouchers.
STEP 2: Download the Pulse by Prudential app. Head over to "My Communities" and join the "Live Happy" community. Post your bonus Famvatar stickers to the "Live Happy" community and include your answer of "What Does Family Mean to You?" in the caption plus #MadeForEveryFamily hashtag in your post title. The first 100 submissions in Pulse App will win an additional RM100 travel voucher.
STEP 3: Stand a chance to also win the Grand Prize* (Family Portrait Photography worth RM10,000) when you share your Famvatar bonus stickers on Prudential Facebook (in comments section) and/or Instagram feed and answer the following question in your caption, "What Does Family Mean to You?". Tag @prudentialmalaysia and include #PRUFamvatarMY and #MadeForEveryFamily hashtags.
Want to find out more about how to protect your loved ones? Head over to Prudential's website to learn more about their latest insurance plans for you and your family!
*Terms and conditions apply.
