1) Save minimum 10% of our income
The first and most important rule to follow is to save Minimum 10% of our income & invest the amount as per return requirement. If you have a regular job, then 12% of your basic salary and an equal contribution by your employer that flows into your Provident Fund account is a good way to build a nest egg. The best thing about this option is that you cannot avoid it. EPF rules require all employees to contribute 12% of their basic income to retirement savings, which include the Employee Provident Fund and the Family Pension Fund. It is a forced saving that becomes the default retirement plan for many individuals. Given the power of compounding, even a small contribution can bloat into a big sum over the long term. Don't underestimate the significance of the savings in the first few years. Assuming that a 25-year-old investor puts away a fixed amount every month, his savings in the first five years will account for 44% of his total corpus when he is 60 years old. The later you start, the more you will need to save. If you have started late, say in your 40s or 50s, you will have to invest up to 20-25 % of your income if you want a comfortable retirement.
The 10% rule is crucial for self-employed professionals and others who are not covered by the EPF umbrella. They can opt for mutual funds, choosing the ones that suit their risk appetite and age profile. However, you need to have the discipline to put away the given sum on a regular basis.
SMART TIP:
Start an SIP in a mutual fund and automate the process by giving an ECS mandate to your bank. In this way, your retirement planning will stay on track.
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