Rising costs make Rs 2 crore inadequate for retirement.
Savings alone cannot protect against inflation and future expenses.
Financial freedom in cities needs larger corpus, around Rs 4–5 crore.
Rising costs make Rs 2 crore inadequate for retirement.
Savings alone cannot protect against inflation and future expenses.
Financial freedom in cities needs larger corpus, around Rs 4–5 crore.
Financial independence is no longer just a goal, it is a necessity. It's more crucial now than ever before to have a clear financial plan due to the prevailing uncertain geo-economic condition and increasing cost of living. It is not just about earning, but managing, investing and growing your wealth that will ensure long-term security and peace of mind.
Many individuals often face a dilemma when it comes to deciding how much is enough in order to achieve real financial stability is. As living costs rise, traditional estimates of what constitutes as adequate savings are being challenged.
Abhishek Vvyas, founder and CEO of MHS Influencer Marketing and Rich Kardz, recently shared a post on LinkedIn that Rs 2 crore is not enough to achieve financial freedom in 2025. He highlighted that a few years ago, this amount was enough to make many individuals feel financially secure which allows them to buy a home, take annual vacations, and retire without stress. Today, in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore, Rs 2 crore may provide only short-term safety rather than long-term peace of mind.
He also highlighted certain alarming patterns regarding the financial reality of the Indian middle class.
He wrote in his post: “Only 25 per cent of people are actively planning for retirement, while most move forward without a clear financial roadmap. Many retirees rely on pension schemes offering less than Rs 5,000 per month, and the median pension corpus remains below Rs 20 lakh, which is not sufficient to sustain a comfortable life in today’s economy.”
He said that the long-held belief that Rs 1 crore is enough for retirement is no longer valid. By 2045, this amount may provide only around Rs 16,000 per month, which would not cover even basic living expenses in major cities. Vvyas also mentioned audit expert, B. Govinda Raju, in his post, saying that while Rs 1 crore could produce approximately Rs 33,000 per month for 25 years, inflation will gradually erode its worth, reducing it to only Rs 23 lakh in today’s terms.
Vvyas recommends aiming for a corpus of Rs 4-5 crore if one decides to reside in major cities to ensure a monthly income of around Rs 1 lakh, or about 2.5 crore for a moderate lifestyle in smaller towns.
Vvyas also shared several key lessons for today’s working generation. He said that inflation is a silent destroyer and that savings alone cannot guarantee your future. Wealth is not the same as income, and it is critical to invest in assets that earn money while you rest, he said.
Vvyas highlighted the need for disciplined investing, a well-structured financial plan, and assets that grow faster than inflation. He additionally pointed out the need of keeping good health and always expanding one’s knowledge for long-term financial stability. Considering how the wealth landscape is evolving, he said, “In today's world, Rs 10 Crore is not a luxury dream. It is the new line of stability.”
This post has been gaining quick attention, with many users joining the conversation.
Kapil Bhagat, national business head at Housing.com, said: “The per capita income of India is approximately Rs 2 lakh per annum. Earning Rs 50,000 a month already places you in the top 5 per cent in India. Financial freedom depends on how your mind sees things. If you aim for Rs 1 lakh a month, then Rs 2.5 crore is enough, while even Rs 5 crore may not be enough for some. The important thing is to keep a cool head across situations.”