Retirement planning is one of the most important financial goals in life. It ensures that even when your regular income stops, your lifestyle and needs are taken care of. As we enter 2026, experts Hemant Rustagi, CEO of Wiseinvest, and Viral Bhatt, founder of Money Mantra, shared practical tips on how to prepare for a secure retirement.
When to start your retirement planning?
In a financial conversation with Zee Business, Rustagi emphasised the importance of beginning early. “Retirement planning is a long-term goal. The earlier you start, the more time you have to grow your corpus through compounding,” he said. He added that even if you are close to retirement, taking stock of your current savings and adjusting your portfolio is essential.
Where to invest for retirement?
A common question is where to invest for retirement. Both experts stressed balancing equity and debt:
1) Equity: Rustagi recommended keeping 50–70 per cent of your retirement corpus in equity for growth. “Equity gives you long-term returns. Don’t reduce it too much, even as you approach retirement,” he said.
Planning your retirement in 2026? Experts share smart investment strategies
Experts Hemant Rustagi, CEO of Wiseinvest, and Viral Bhatt, founder of Money Mantra, shared practical tips on how to prepare for a secure retirement in 2026.
Both experts agree that retirement planning is a continuous process, and the process of building a secure retirement corpus requires three key steps, which they shared in a financial conversation with Zee Business.
Experts share smart investment strategies in 2026 for a secure retirement
Retirement planning is one of the most important financial goals in life. It ensures that even when your regular income stops, your lifestyle and needs are taken care of.
As we enter 2026, experts Hemant Rustagi, CEO of Wiseinvest, and Viral Bhatt, founder of Money Mantra, shared practical tips on how to prepare for a secure retirement.
When to start your retirement planning?
In a financial conversation with Zee Business, Rustagi emphasised the importance of beginning early. “Retirement planning is a long-term goal. The earlier you start, the more time you have to grow your corpus through compounding,” he said. He added that even if you are close to retirement, taking stock of your current savings and adjusting your portfolio is essential.
1) Consider inflation and lifestyle
Bhatt highlighted the impact of inflation and future expenses. “Many people don’t consider medical expenses or lifestyle costs after retirement. You need to calculate your retirement corpus carefully, factoring in inflation and potential healthcare costs,” he said.
2) Set realistic goals
Rustagi suggested setting an initial target and revising it every few years. “You may start with a corpus of one or two crore, but every 3–5 years, adjust it according to your income, lifestyle, and inflation,” he explained.
3) Invest systematically
Use instruments like SIPs in equity mutual funds to benefit from compounding over time. Equity allocation should generally be 50–80 per cent of your portfolio, with the remainder in debt instruments like PPF, EPF, or debt mutual funds.
Where to invest for retirement?
A common question is where to invest for retirement. Both experts stressed balancing equity and debt:
1) Equity: Rustagi recommended keeping 50–70 per cent of your retirement corpus in equity for growth.
“Equity gives you long-term returns. Don’t reduce it too much, even as you approach retirement,” he said.
2) Debt instruments: Debt can be invested through EPF or PPF for stability.
3) NPS: With new rules, NPS now allows 85 per cent allocation to equity and more flexibility in withdrawals.
Rustagi noted, “This gives retirees options to manage their corpus and generate income as needed.”
Why Retirement Planning Is Crucial for Senior Citizens
After retirement, regular salary income usually stops, making financial discipline more important than ever. Proper planning helps senior citizens:
- Maintain a steady income flow
- Manage rising healthcare expenses
- Protect savings from unnecessary risk
- Avoid financial dependence
- Preserve dignity and independence
A structured retirement plan brings confidence, clarity and long-term peace of mind.
Step 1: Assess Your Retirement Income Sources
Begin by listing all available sources of income such as:
- Pension or retirement benefits
- Interest income from deposits
- Rental or annuity income (if applicable)
- Periodic savings withdrawals
Understanding your income sources helps in planning expenses realistically.
Step 2: Estimate Monthly and Annual Expenses
Retirement expenses often differ from working years. Consider the following:
- Household and utility expenses
- Medical and healthcare costs
- Insurance premiums
- Lifestyle and travel needs
- Emergency and contingency expenses
Accurate estimation helps avoid financial shortfalls in later years.
Step 3: Prioritise Capital Protection
For senior citizens, protecting accumulated savings is often more important than pursuing high returns. Low-risk and predictable financial instruments help preserve capital while providing regular income.
This is where Fixed Deposits play a vital role.
Step 4: Use Senior Citizen Fixed Deposits for Stability
A Senior Citizen Fixed Deposit is a commonly preferred option among retirees seeking safety and predictable returns.
As offered by Utkarsh Small Finance Bank, Senior Citizen Fixed Deposits help:
- Park retirement savings securely
- Generate regular interest income
- Maintain financial discipline
- Choose tenures based on personal cash-flow needs
Senior citizens should always review the latest Senior Citizen FD rates, tenure options and applicable terms on the official website of Utkarsh Small Finance Bank.
Step 5: Maintain Adequate Liquidity
While Fixed Deposits provide stability, it is equally important to keep sufficient funds easily accessible.
Maintaining liquidity through a Savings Account ensures that sudden medical or household expenses can be met without disturbing long-term deposits.
Step 6: Create a Laddered Fixed Deposit Strategy
Instead of investing all funds in a single Fixed Deposit, senior citizens may consider staggering deposits across different maturity periods.
This approach helps:
- Improve cash-flow flexibility
- Reduce reinvestment risk
- Provide periodic access to funds
FD laddering supports smoother financial management during retirement.
Step 7: Plan for Healthcare and Emergencies
Healthcare expenses generally increase with age. Retirement planning should include:
- Dedicated medical savings
- Regular review of health insurance coverage
- A readily available emergency fund
Financial preparedness ensures peace of mind during unexpected situations.
Step 8: Review and Update Nominations
Ensure that all financial products have updated nominee details, including:
- Savings Accounts
- Fixed Deposits
- Insurance policies
This helps simplify financial processes for family members in the future.
Step 9: Avoid High-Risk Investments Post-Retirement
Senior citizens should remain cautious about high-volatility investments. Capital preservation and predictable income should remain the primary focus.
Stable instruments support long-term financial comfort.
Step 10: Review Your Retirement Plan Annually
Life circumstances, expenses and healthcare needs may change over time. Reviewing your retirement plan every year ensures it remains aligned with your financial requirements and capacity.