DINK couple builds nearly Rs 12 crore wealth by 38, asks ‘how much is enough?’; plans to retire in three years

A Pune couple who have chosen to remain child-free are weighing early retirement after building a combined net worth of Rs 11.5 crore by the age of 38. The couple, identified as DINK, or dual income, no kids, has accumulated its wealth through real estate, Indian and US investments, cash and retirement savings. With annual expenses of about Rs 22 lakh, they plan to continue working for another two to three years. Their decision has been influenced by the demands of their careers, mounting work pressure and concerns over their health, according to a post shared by the husband’s cousin on X.

The couple’s assets include around Rs 3.2 crore in real estate, Rs 1.8 crore in Indian stocks and mutual funds, Rs 5 crore in US stocks, and approximately Rs 1.5 crore in cash and retirement savings. Their annual lifestyle expenses are around Rs 22 lakh.

Also Read: NRI shares journey from Rs 10 LPA to Rs 7.5 crore net worth and 3 Mumbai homes after moving to Middle East

Why the couple is considering early retirement

According to the post, the couple plans to continue working for another two to three years. Since they do not have children, their financial priorities differ from those of many couples in the same age group.

The post said they are not looking to build a large corpus for their children’s education or weddings, nor do they aim to leave behind multiple properties. Their parents are retired and dependent on them, however, so they want to maintain sufficient financial security to support them.

The couple’s decision is also linked to concerns about their health and work-life balance. Their jobs have involved long hours, sustained pressure and limited time to switch off, and they have recently begun noticing physical consequences.

From earning more to deciding what is enough

The post said their focus gradually shifted from asking how much more they could earn to considering how much would actually be sufficient.

The couple is therefore exploring early retirement, not because they dislike their jobs or have abandoned their ambitions, but because they believe time has become more valuable than further increasing their wealth.

The man quoted his wife as saying: “We spent our younger years building the money. Maybe it’s time to start spending some of it on our lives.”

The post framed their decision around a broader question associated with the FIRE, or Financial Independence, Retire Early, approach: how much money is enough if a person does not have the time or health to enjoy it?

Also Read: Employee says salary discussion with colleague lead to a warning from manager and meeting with HR

Social media users debate the couple’s decision

The post drew mixed reactions on X. Some users questioned the decision to remain child-free, while others supported the couple’s choice to prioritise their health and lifestyle.

One user said a net worth of Rs 11.5 crore at 38 was “insane”, while another questioned whether the figures were realistic and suggested the couple could have undisclosed business income.

Some commenters warned that people who choose not to have children could regret the decision later in life. Others argued that DINK couples can have greater flexibility to leave the workforce early because they do not have children-related financial liabilities.

One user supported the retirement plan, saying that financial security has limited value without good health. Another described DINK as a personal choice but cautioned that early retirement and remaining child-free are major decisions that require careful consideration.

Disclaimer: This article is based on claims, statements, images, videos and other information shared by users on social media platforms. The ET.com has not independently verified the authenticity, accuracy or completeness of these claims unless expressly stated otherwise. The views, allegations and assertions contained in the social media content are those of the respective users and do not reflect the views of The ET.com. The publication bears no responsibility for the accuracy of such claims and readers are advised to exercise their own judgment and seek independent verification where necessary.