Retirement index rises on back of increasing health awareness: Max Life survey

Max Life Insurance on Thursday unveiled the findings of the third edition of its retirement survey, India Retirement Index Study (IRIS), conducted in partnership with KANTAR, a marketing data and analytics company. The survey assesses urban India's preparedness to live a healthy, peaceful, and financially secure retired life. For the digital study, 2,093 respondents were surveyed across 28 cities in India.

The study reveals that urban India’s retirement index (on a scale of 0 to 100) has risen to 47, a significant upward movement from 44 witnessed across the past two editions. The retirement index comprises three sub-indices mapping - health, finance, and emotion, and indicates an uptick across all three parameters. The improvement in the retirement preparedness comes at the back of a significant rise in health awareness that has moved 3 points to 44 in IRIS 3.0, from 41 in IRIS 2.0, Max Life said.

Prashant Tripathy, Managing Director & CEO, Max Life said, “This edition shows progress in India’s retirement preparedness, which also signals the country’s stronger economic resilience. Today's working population will be tomorrow's large, retired population. And it is imperative to register the urgency to plan for our retirement years as India manages its aging population and embraces longer lifespans."

Soumya Mohanty, MD and Chief Client Officer, South Asia, Insights Division, Kantar said, “The India Retirement Index Survey presents a perspective into how urban Indians envision and plan for retirement. Over the past three years, the survey has played an instrumental role in uncovering the degree to which Indians feel financially, physically, and emotionally prepared for the retired life."

IRIS 3.0 reveals that urban Indians increasingly equate retirement with a stress-free life. Viewing retirement as a harbinger of positive life change, the retirement sentiment in Urban India has increased to 73 (+3 from IRIS 2.0). Today, 7 of 10 people associate retirement with positive emotions such as ‘time for family’, ‘tension-free life’, ‘more independence’, and ‘greater prospects of luxury/travel’, while the remaining associating the phase with negative sentiments of ‘unhealthy lifestyle’, ‘uninteresting life phase’, ‘lessened savings’, and ‘lack of purpose’.

Corroborating the positive outlook, 59 percent of Indians continue to prioritize health while planning for retirement, with only 33 percent considering ‘finances’ as an important lever, and 8 percent regarding ‘emotional support’ as the most crucial aspect.

IRIS 3.0 reveals striking health consciousness amongst urban Indians, with 80 percent believing they will be in good health in their retirement years, 58 percent opting for preventive health check-ups in the last three years, and 40 percent seeking annual check-ups to keep a regular check on their health. Today, there are more takers for curative and wellness options versus post-facto treatments, with more than 3 in 10 Indians indulging in self-care to improve their health. Notably, 2 in 10 individuals emphasize wellness through technology, including apps, wearables, and online consultations.

The IRIS 3.0 study reveals that nearly 1 in 3 urban Indians are worried about their savings depleting within five years of retired life. Equally alarming is that 2 out of 5 individuals have not started investing for retirement yet. A significant majority believe that they have enough family wealth, and/or be taken care of by their children, which poses a disproportionate barrier to retirement planning.

In fact, as high as 9 out of 10 respondents above the age of 50 years regret not starting savings earlier for retirement. However, as a silver lining, 1 in 2 urban Indians favour prioritizing long-term savings planning at the start of their working careers. Also, a majority of respondents (38 percent) believe that one should start retirement planning before 35 years of age.

As investment preferences for retirement goals, life insurance products lead the way with 95 percent awareness and 75 percent ownership levels. Additionally, the IRIS 3.0 study revealed that while 64 percent of urban Indians are familiar with National Pension System (NPS), only 16 percent invest by making contributions.

Despite the trend of nuclear households continuing (53 percent) – urban India’s dependence on family remains high when planning for retirement. Per the survey, majority of the respondents hope to stay with their children post-retirement, drawing focus on emotional co-dependencies during the period.

Surveyed for the first time, millennials are better prepared for retirement than other age brackets - With a retirement index of 48 points, millennials surpass others in retirement preparedness, backed by heightened awareness of financial products at 54 points. More than 2/3rd feel secure with current savings/investments for retirement—significantly higher than other age brackets.

Women close the gap with men in retirement preparedness - IRIS 3.0 reveals that urban Indian women are now at par with men in retirement readiness. Notably, 52 percent of women consider retirement planning the foremost financial priority, closely followed by 48 percent of men who share the same view. Also, 66 percent of women are hopeful of a totally secure retired life as against 60 percent of men.

East India demonstrates strong retirement readiness - With a financial preparedness Index of 53, East India is better prepared for retirement, surpassing all other regions. This robust financial preparedness is complemented by East India's health index at 50 points. Basis this, East region continues to be better prepared for retirement among other zones with an overall retirement index of 52. In stark contrast, North India's health index lags at 40 points, revealing a substantial gap with other regions and the need for concerted efforts. South India’s highest emotional index of 61 points reflects strong emotional backing from family and society across the region.

Tier II surpasses Tier I towns in financial preparedness for retirement - Backed by a refreshed focus on planning for retirement, financial preparedness in India’s tier II towns (50 points) overtakes tier I cities (49 points). While Metros lead the way in urban India’s Retirement Index at 48 points, tier II and tier I towns close the gap in retirement preparedness with 45 points.