Don’t Just Save! Do These 5 Things From Today to Make Your Retirement ‘Future-Proof’

Kokila Chokkanathan
Retirement planning isn’t just about saving Rs 1 crore. Inflation, rising health costs, and unexpected expenses can erode your wealth over time. Here’s how to ensure your golden years stay truly golden.


1. Know the Hidden Enemies of Your Savings

Before planning, understand the silent killers of your money:

  • Inflation: At an average of 6% in India, Rs 1 crore today will be worth only about Rs 17.41 lakh in 30 years. To maintain today’s purchasing power, you may need around Rs 5.74 crore by retirement.
  • Rising health Expenses: Medical inflation is higher than general inflation, around 14-15% annually. Even minor illnesses can burn through your savings if unplanned.

2. Upgrade Your Goal – Include Inflation

Forget the magic figure of Rs 1 crore. Use an inflation calculator to estimate your real retirement needs. Depending on your lifestyle, your inflation-adjusted target could be Rs 3-5 crore. Planning with the future value in mind ensures you don’t fall short.


3. Invest for the Long Term

Savings alone won’t beat inflation. Consider assets that grow faster than the cost of living:

  • Equity Mutual Funds: Long-term returns of 12-14% are possible over 15-20 years.
  • National Pension System (NPS): Tax benefits plus market-linked returns.
  • Systematic Investment Plan (SIP): Small, consistent monthly investments can accumulate into a large corpus.

4. Make Step-Up SIP Your Super Weapon

Start small but increase your SIP regularly. Example:

  • Year 1: Rs 10,000/month
  • Year 2: Rs 11,000/month
  • Year 3: Rs 12,100/month
Increasing your SIP by 10% annually keeps pace with salary growth and helps you achieve your long-term goals faster.


5. Plan health Insurance and Medical Expenses

Your retirement fund is useless if a major illness wipes it out. Safeguard your health and wealth:

  • Take a family floater policy
  • Add critical illness coverage
  • Renew your policy before 60 to keep premiums low
With medical inflation rising 10-12% per year, even routine treatments can cost Rs 80-90 lakh after 30 years.


6. Create Passive Income Sources

Don’t rely only on savings or pensions. Build streams of passive income:

  • Rental Income: Earn from property
  • Dividends: From shares or mutual funds
  • Digital Assets: Blogging, courses, or books generating continuous cash flow
Even Rs 20,000/month in passive income can add up to Rs 50 lakh or more over retirement.


Mistakes to Avoid

  • Relying solely on FDs or PPF
  • Delaying retirement investments
  • Ignoring health insurance
  • Skipping passive income generation

FAQs

Q1: Is Rs 1 crore enough?
No, after inflation, its value drops significantly.

Q2: How much is needed for retirement?
Generally, Rs 5-7 crore ensures a comfortable lifestyle.

Q3: When to start planning?
The earlier, the better – even small SIPs started at 25-30 can grow into crores.

Q4: Why is health insurance essential?
Medical costs rise faster than other expenses; proper coverage protects your retirement fund.

 

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.

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