Retirement planning: Retiring early is a dream for many individuals. The idea of enjoying a comfortable and stress-free retirement ahead of the conventional retirement age is appealing to a growing number of people. However, early retirement requires careful financial planning and disciplined execution. One must start early, budget wisely, invest strategically, and maintain financial discipline in order to retire early. Here is a financial checklist for those looking to retire early —

Retirement planning: Start early and set clear goals

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The key to early retirement lies in starting early and setting clear, achievable goals. The sooner you begin saving and investing, the more time your money has to grow through compound interest. Assess your financial situation and set specific retirement goals, such as the age at which you wish to retire and the lifestyle you want to maintain during retirement.

For example – An SIP of Rs 10,000 per month for 25 years at 10 per cent return, can earn the investor Rs 1,03,78,903 as interest  — taking the total investment of Rs 30 lakh, to over Rs 1,33,78,903 in 25 years (see calculation below).

Retirement planning: Create a detailed budget

Making a detailed budget is crucial to understanding one's current financial standing and helps identify areas where one can cut expenses. Those looking to retire early must analyse their spending patterns, prioritise essential expenses, and eliminate unnecessary splurges. The money saved can be redirected towards retirement savings.

Retirement planning: Build an emergency fund

Before focusing on retirement savings, one must create a robust emergency fund which must be equal to at least 3 to 6 months' worth of living expenses. This fund will provide a safety net during unexpected financial crises, and prevent the individual from dipping into retirement savings prematurely.

Retirement planning: Maximise contributions to retirement accounts

There are various retirement-focused investment options such as the Employee Provident Fund (EPF), Public Provident Fund (PPF), and National Pension System (NPS) that offer tax benefits and compounding advantages. One must contribute the maximum allowed amount to these accounts to make the most of tax breaks while accelerating their retirement savings.

Retirement planning: Diversify your investment portfolio

Investing in a diversified portfolio is essential to manage risk and optimise returns. One can consider a mix of equity, debt, and other investment instruments based on their risk tolerance and financial goals. While equities offer higher returns over the long term, debt instruments provide stability and safety.

Retiring early: Avoid debt traps

Piling up excessive debt can seriously hinder one's early retirement plans. High-interest debts, such as credit card debt or personal loans, should be paid off as a priority. Adopting a debt-free lifestyle will free up more funds to invest in one's retirement corpus.

Retirement planning: Seek professional advice

The financial landscape is constantly evolving. And staying informed about the latest investment trends and opportunities is crucial. Consider seeking guidance from a certified financial planner who can help tailor personalized retirement strategy based on the needs.

Retirement planning: Review your plan regularly

Early retirement requires discipline and dedication. One must keep a close eye on their financial progress and make adjustments to the retirement plan as needed. One must regularly review their investments, rebalance their portfolio, and make necessary changes to stay on track.

Retiring early can be a realistic goal by starting early, planning carefully and by making prudent investment decisions. One must remember that it is never too early or too late to take control of their financial future and work towards the retirement they desire.