How much retirement corpus is needed?
The retirement corpus required for a ₹25k pension per month depends on several factors, including your retirement age, expected post-retirement returns, inflation, and the number of years you expect your savings to support you. While there is no single figure that suits everyone, estimating your target corpus early can help you create a more structured retirement plan.
For illustration, assume the following:
- Retirement age: 60 years
- Desired monthly pension: ₹25,000
- Annual pension requirement: ₹3,00,000
- Expected post-retirement return: 6%–7% per annum
- Retirement period: 25 years
Based on these assumptions, you may require a retirement corpus of around ₹50 lakh to ₹60 lakh to generate a monthly income of ₹25,000. The exact amount will vary depending on investment performance, inflation, withdrawal strategy, and life expectancy.
For example:
- Monthly pension required: ₹25,000
- Annual income required: ₹3,00,000
- Estimated annual return: 6%
- Indicative retirement corpus: ₹3,00,000 ÷ 6% ≈ ₹50 lakh
This calculation is illustrative and assumes that your investments continue to generate returns during retirement. Actual retirement income may differ depending on prevailing market conditions and the investment products you choose.
Worth noting, inflation can significantly affect your retirement expenses over time. A monthly income that comfortably covers your needs today may not offer the same purchasing power after 20 or 25 years. Reviewing your retirement goal periodically and increasing your investments as your income grows can help keep your savings aligned with future financial needs.
Using a retirement or pension calculator can also provide a more personalised estimate based on your age, existing savings, expected returns, and retirement timeline, helping you plan your investments with confidence.