Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Retirement Corpus Targets Rise, but Individual Needs Vary
A study asked 1,812 people in India, aged 30 to 55, about retirement planning.
It found that preference for the National Pension System rose to 57 out of 100, from 54 in 2023.
The people surveyed said ₹1.5 crore was their ideal retirement savings target, but the report says one target may not suit everyone.
It suggests comparing savings with yearly income, while a financial adviser cited in the article suggests multiplying monthly expenses by 300.
Health worries and providing for family can prompt people to plan.
Some people delay because they think they are already prepared, lack knowledge or do not have enough money to save.
The article gives conflicting figures for some examples, so those calculations should be treated cautiously.
It also says health costs, inflation, family circumstances and how long someone lives can affect the amount needed.
The 2026 HDFC Pension study puts NPS preference at 57 out of 100, three points above its 2023 reading.
The study surveyed 1,812 people aged 30–55 about retirement outlook and financial preparedness.
Respondents' ideal retirement corpus was ₹1.5 crore, up from ₹1.34 crore in 2023; the report says needs vary by person.
The report says 69% expect some post-retirement support from family or children, while 35% worry about losing financial independence.
The article gives two estimation methods but contains conflicting figures for the ₹10–12 lakh income and ₹1 lakh monthly expense examples.
- Who
- HDFC Pension Fund Management conducted the study, surveying 1,812 consumers aged 30–55.
- What
- The study examined retirement planning, financial preparedness and preferences for the National Pension System.
- When
- The report is the 2026 second edition; it compares NPS preference with the inaugural 2023 reading.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- To understand consumers' outlook on retirement and financial preparedness and track changes in NPS preference.
Fixed income-multiple approach
Expense-based approach
How to estimate retirement savings
Fixed income-multiple approach
The HDFC Pension study says savers should target at least 10 times their current annual income.
Expense-based approach
Financial adviser Nitin Kaushik suggests estimating a corpus as 300 times monthly expenses; the article says individual needs also depend on lifestyle, family, health, inflation and longevity.
Figures reported for higher incomes
Fixed income-multiple approach
The article lists ₹10–12 crore for annual income of ₹10–12 lakh, while also presenting the 10-times-income rule.
Expense-based approach
Those figures conflict with the stated rule, which would imply ₹1–1.2 crore. The article does not resolve the discrepancy.
Corpus for ₹1 lakh monthly expenses
Fixed income-multiple approach
The article's 300-times calculation gives ₹3 crore for monthly expenses of ₹1 lakh.
Expense-based approach
Elsewhere, it says the same monthly spending would require around ₹3.5 crore to sustain a similar lifestyle at retirement.
- NPS preference index
- 57 out of 100 in 2026, up from 54 in 2023.
- Survey sample
- 1,812 consumers aged 30–55.
- Target corpus
- The ideal retirement corpus reported by savers was ₹1.5 crore, up from ₹1.34 crore in 2023.
- Family support
- 69% expect some financial support from family or children after retirement.
- Financial independence concern
- 35% cited losing financial independence as a top worry.
- Planning trigger
- Declining health or physical abilities prompted retirement planning for 39% of respondents.
- Reported saving barriers
- 42% felt they already had enough provision, 39% cited insufficient knowledge, and 38% cited insufficient surplus to save or invest.