Retirement Planning: Avoid Big Mistakes, Ensure a Stress-Free Future

• Failing to create an expense outline or budget can quickly deplete retirement savings; track spending and maintain separate funds for large expenses.
• Locking all retirement funds in annuities limits access for emergencies; allocate only 30-40% to annuities and the rest to flexible options like SWP mutual funds.
• Relying solely on low-return options like FDs ignores inflation; maintain 10-15% in equity (large cap/hybrid funds) for better returns, balancing with debt funds.
• High medical costs pose a significant threat; secure a comprehensive health insurance policy (family floater with top-up) and maintain an emergency cash fund.
• Over-investing in illiquid real estate can be problematic due to slow sales and high maintenance; prioritize liquid assets for easy access to funds.

Why It Matters: This story helps readers avoid critical financial mistakes for a secure retirement.