Axis Max Life Insurance Limited, in partnership with Kantar, today released the findings of the sixth edition of its annual Bharosa Talks India Retirement Index Study (IRIS 6.0), highlighting changing retirement aspirations and preparedness among urban Indians.
The study finds that 7 in 10 urban Indians would like to retire before the traditional retirement age of 58–60 if their financial needs are taken care of, with half aspiring to achieve Financial Independence and Retire Early (FIRE) before 50. However, respondents have accumulated only 28% of their target retirement corpus on average.
The Bharosa Talks IRIS 6.0 score stands at 49 in 2026, compared with 48 in 2025 and 44 in 2022. Financial preparedness improved to 52, while health remained at 46 and emotional preparedness stood at 57.
Sumit Madan, MD & CEO, Axis Max Life Insurance, said, “One of the clearest messages from Bharosa Talks IRIS 6.0 is that retirement remains a financial challenge for many Indians. The finding that 82% of Gen X+ respondents expect to continue working for a steady income highlights a critical reality: retirement is not about reaching a certain age, but about having the financial freedom to choose what comes next. True retirement readiness should empower individuals to work because they want to, not because they need to. Encouragingly, younger Indians are beginning their retirement journey much earlier, signalling a welcome shift from reactive planning to proactive preparation. The task ahead is to convert this intent into sustained action across finances, health and emotional wellbeing, because a secure retirement is ultimately about independence, choice and peace of mind.”
Soumya Mohanty, Managing Director & Chief Client Officer, South Asia, Kantar, said, “Bharosa Talks IRIS 6.0 shows retirement planning evolving across generations and geographies. Younger Indians are starting the retirement planning process earlier. Health is also becoming an important part of retirement preparation, with 59% claiming to undertake regular or occasional health check-up. Additionally, out of those who regularly take part in physical activities, 44% engage daily. Tier II cities have also strengthened their retirement preparedness, pointing to a broader retirement conversation across urban India.”
The study also highlights that 62% of Gen Z respondents have already started investing for retirement, while 91% of Gen X+ regret not starting retirement investments earlier. Tier II cities improved their IRIS score from 44 to 48, narrowing the gap with metros at 50.
