Mutual fund

Why Most People Ignore Retirement Planning — And Why It’s a Costly Mistake

Why Most People Ignore Retirement Planning — And Why It’s a Costly Mistake

Imagine you are on a long road trip through a hot, deserted highway. You have a full bottle of water, and there are plenty of stops where you can refill. Right now, you feel fine, hydrated, and comfortable.

But here’s what most people will think-

-They assume water will always be available whenever they need it.

-They keep drinking without worrying about refilling.

-They delay storing extra, thinking there’s plenty of time.

Then suddenly, you enter a strejtch with no water stations for miles. Your bottle is almost empty, and now there’s no way to refill it. Panic sets in.

This is exactly how retirement works.

-As long as you’re earning, money keeps coming in—just like water stations appear frequently.

-But once you retire, your income stops—just like the dry, deserted stretch with no refills.

-If you haven’t stored enough (saved & invested), you’re left struggling, with no way to refill.

Why Do Most People Ignore Retirement Planning?

👉 The “I Have Enough for Now” Illusion

When you have a salary, it feels like money will always flow. Retirement seems distant, so there’s no urgency to save.

👉 The “I will Find Water Later” Mistake

People believe they can start saving later. But delaying means you need to save much more in less time, which is much harder. Saving ₹5,000/month at 30 is easier than ₹50,000/month at 50.

👉 Overconfidence in Future Earnings

Many assume they will have enough experience to keep earning after 60, but jobs, health, or life circumstances may not allow it. Betting on an income that may not exist is a dangerous gamble.

👉 Underestimating How Long Retirement Lasts-

People assume retirement is just 10-15 years. But with rising life expectancy, it can be 25-30 years or more! That’s a long time to survive without income.

👉 Inflation—The Silent Killer

A ₹50,000 monthly expense today could be ₹2 lakh per month in 25 years. Without planning, your savings won’t keep up, and what seems like enough today may be peanuts later.

How Much Money Do You Need to Retire?

Step 1: Estimate your annual expenses in retirement. (Say, ₹12 lakh per year.)

Step 2: Multiply by 25 (based on the 4% withdrawal rule).

Step 3: You’ll need ₹3 crore to retire comfortably.

👉 Bonus Tip: Factor in inflation—₹12 lakh today could be ₹24 lakh in 20 years, meaning ₹6 crore might be the real target.

👉 Final Thought: Store Water Before You Run Dry

Retirement isn’t a choice — it will happen whether you are ready or not. The only question is: Will you have acclimated enough?

The best time to start? Yesterday.

The second-best time? Right now.