Life At Ease: The True Goal Beyond Retirement | Kabira Speaks

For decades, “retirement planning” has been projected as the most important financial goal. And yet, if we look closely, very few people actually plan for it in a serious, structured way.

We live in a world where the rules of work are changing rapidly.

• AI and machines are replacing entire categories of jobs, reshaping industries overnight.

• A massive pool of young, employable talent is entering the workforce every year. For professionals in their mid-40s and above, this means a real threat of being replaced by younger people — often at much lower costs to companies.

In such a world, waiting for the “retirement age” to plan your life doesn’t make sense anymore.

For today’s generation — especially Gen Z and millennials — the goal should not be retirement, but Financial Freedom.

Financial freedom doesn’t mean you stop working. It means you get to choose how you want to live and work. It is about reaching a stage where your finances don’t control you; you control them.

I like to call this stage FILE – Financial Independence, Life at Ease.

Imagine:

• Waking up and working on projects you love, not ones you’re forced into.

• Taking a sabbatical when you feel like it — without worrying about bills.

• Traveling, learning, exploring, or even switching careers in your 40s or 50s — not because you “retired” but because you’re free to make that choice.

That is what FILE is all about — living at ease, not retiring.

This dream is achievable. But it requires clarity, consistency, and discipline. Here are the cornerstones:

1. Protect Before You Grow

• Buy adequate term insurance — it’s the cheapest and most effective way to protect your family’s future.

• Ensure you have sufficient health insurance — medical costs can wipe out savings faster than any other event.

2. Start Early, Stay Disciplined

The earlier you start investing, the easier the journey. A 25-year-old investing ₹10,000 a month can achieve far more wealth than a 40-year-old starting with double the amount. Time is your biggest ally, thanks to compounding.

3. Respect the Power of Compounding

Compounding is not just a financial principle; it’s a life principle. The small, consistent amounts you invest today can snowball into life-changing wealth over decades. Ignore it, and you’ll always feel like you’re running behind.

4. Maintain Liquidity

Liquidity is freedom. Always keep a part of your portfolio accessible for emergencies or opportunities. Locking everything into long-term, illiquid products may look safe — but it can turn into a trap when life throws unexpected challenges.

5. Invest in Yourself

Financial freedom is not just about money. It’s also about staying employable, adaptable, and relevant in a fast-changing world. Invest in learning, health, and relationships — these are assets that compound beyond money.

The old formula of working 35 years, retiring at 60, and then living off pensions or savings is gone. Longevity is increasing. Job security is shrinking. Work culture is evolving.

What we need today is not a plan for the “last 20 years of life,” but a plan for living life at ease throughout our journey.

FILE gives you the confidence to:

• Quit a toxic job.

• Take a career break to care for family or pursue passion.

• Start your own venture without fear.

• Live life without the constant anxiety of “what if.”

Retirement is not the goal. Life at ease is.

When you start early, protect yourself with the right covers, respect compounding, maintain liquidity, and stay disciplined, you give yourself the gift of choice.

And at the end of the day, that’s what true wealth is: The freedom to live life on your terms.

So don’t plan for retirement. Plan for FILE — Financial Independence, Life at Ease.

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of NDTV Profit or its editorial team.