Is Rs 10 crore enough to retire early? Financial expert gives four reasons why early retirement is still a dream

Amid rising number of professionals wanting to retire early, Hardik Joshi, a financial analyst, pointed out four reasons as to why this has remained a dream for many.

"At some point, people stop asking "When can I retire?" And start wondering "Can I ever retire?" So, is early retirement in India realistic or just a dream?" said Joshi in a post on LinkedIn.

Why is early retirement harder in India?

Here are four reasons mentioned by the analyst

Inflation is brutal:

• A ₹100 grocery bill in 2010 is ₹300+ today.
• Medical expenses have doubled in the last 10 years.
• School fees, rent, travel everything gets expensive faster than salary hikes.

No strong social security

• The US has 401(k), social security, Medicare.
• In India, pensions are rare, and EPF & NPS aren’t enough to sustain a long retirement.

Family responsibilities

• In the West, retirement means saving for yourself.
• In India, it often means supporting parents, children, and sometimes extended family too.

Healthcare costs can wipe out savings...

• A medical emergency can drain lakhs in weeks.
• Most Indians don’t have enough health insurance to cover major illnesses.

How to Retire Early in India?

Joshi said invest aggressively in stocks, mutual funds, and REITs, aiming for a 12-15% CAGR over decades. "Create multiple income streams through rentals, dividends, and digital businesses while keeping expenses low, as lifestyle inflation can erode wealth. Ensure you have at least Rs 1 crore in health insurance, as medical costs are unpredictable," said Joshi.