6 Retirement Plans for Indians Who Won't Live With Their Kids

10. Common mistakes to avoid when planning an independent retirement

Mistake one: assuming a paid-off home alone secures monthly income. Real cash flow is what pays bills. Mistake two: putting all corpus into one place—either illiquid property or low-yield instruments. Mistake three: underestimating healthcare inflation and emergency costs. Each of these errors can force a retiree to sell assets at the worst time. Avoid these by mixing guaranteed income (annuities or pension), liquid short-term funds, and a growth portion that can be drained systematically. Keep a written plan and revisit it yearly, and don’t let sentiment alone dictate financial choices.