RETIREMENT PLANNING RANKS HIGHEST AMONG MALAYSIANS, ING SURVEY SHOWS

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21 (Bernama) -- The average Malaysian middle-income
earner is most concerned about planning for retirement followed by family income
protection and planning for children' education needs, the latest insurance
survey by ING Insurance Bhd.

In a statement Wednesday, the global financial institution said some 83 per
cent of Malaysian consumers indicated there was a greater need now to protect
their lifestyles compared with 12 months ago.

President and Chief Executive Officer Dr Nirmala Menon said: "It is easy to
overlook the importance of financial planning when things are going fine.
However, it is important to start saving at an early stage.

"In fact, the earlier you do so, the lesser premiums you will need to pay."

ING said the survey measured and tracked the sentiment and behavior of mass
affluent investors across 11 markets in Asia Pacific.

The survey, conducted in June, also involved online interviews, conducted by
research firm Nielsen, with more than 2,300 mid-income investors aged 25 and
above.