When it comes to money, retirement is one stage of life that almost everyone worries about — yet very few plan for.
We all dream of a peaceful retirement: spending time with family, travelling, maybe even pursuing hobbies we never had time for. But the big question is — how much money will you actually need to live comfortably once you stop working?
And here’s the truth: retirement is not about how much you earn today, but how much you save and grow for tomorrow.
Why “one-size-fits-all” doesn’t work
There is no fixed number that works for everyone. For some, ₹50 lakh may be enough; for others, even ₹5 crore may fall short.
Your retirement corpus depends on:
- Your lifestyle – monthly expenses, hobbies, travel
- Family responsibilities – spouse, children, dependent parents
- Healthcare costs – medical inflation is rising at 12–15% annually in India
- Inflation – that ₹1,00,000 today may only buy goods worth ₹30,000 after 20–25 years
The 70% Rule
A simple thumb rule: You’ll need about 70% of your last drawn monthly salary to maintain your lifestyle in retirement.
Example: If your salary is ₹1 lakh per month, you should plan for at least ₹70,000 per month after retirement. Multiply that by 20–25 years, and you get an idea of the huge corpus needed.
The Power of Early Planning
Let’s look at an example:
- Ravi (age 30) starts investing ₹10,000 per month in a retirement fund that grows at 10% annually. By 60, he builds a corpus of ₹2.2 crore.
- Amit (age 40) starts the same investment of ₹10,000 per month. By 60, his corpus is only ₹76 lakh.
Don’t Forget Healthcare
- Build a retirement corpus plus
- Keep a separate health insurance policy active even after retirement
How to Build Your Retirement Corpus
- Start Early – The earlier you start, the lesser you need to invest monthly.
- Use a Mix of Instruments – Mutual funds (for growth), annuity/LIC pension plans (for security), PPF/NPS (for tax benefits).
- Review Every 3–5 Years – Inflation, lifestyle, and goals change. So should your plan.
- Don’t Dip Into Retirement Savings – Keep them ring-fenced, no matter what.
Retirement is not about surviving — it’s about living with dignity and freedom. The best time to start planning was yesterday. The second-best time is today.
Ready to Plan Your Retirement?
If you’re unsure how much you need for a comfortable retirement, I can help.
and Let’s calculate your retirement number and design a plan that ensures peace of mind for you and your family.

