Retire at 45? Here's the Real Number You Need in India

• Early retirement at 45 means your money needs to last 35-40 years, changing financial planning significantly.
• Start by calculating annual expenses; if you need Rs 15 lakh/year, a corpus of Rs 3.75-4.5 crore is a minimum.
• Inflation (5-6% in India) is a silent risk; your corpus must grow faster than inflation to maintain purchasing power.
• Factor in healthcare and longevity; a separate buffer for medical emergencies is crucial as costs rise with age.
• Include all retirement assets (EPF, PPF, NPS, MFs, equity) but exclude your primary home unless monetized.