Over the past century, people around the world have begun living significantly longer lives. In India, the average life expectancy has increased from under 50 years in the 1970s to 70 today, as reported by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. This remarkable shift has a curious impact: it has transformed retirement from a short period of rest at the end of life into a separate financial phase that can last over 10 years.

While the importance of early and consistent retirement planning is well known, it takes on a whole new urgency as more women now play an active role in shaping their financial lives, whether through entering the workforce, moving into leadership positions, or coming into wealth through intergenerational wealth transfers.

When greater financial responsibility, longer life expectancy, rising individual autonomy, and changing lifestyles coalesce, they make a compelling case for retirement planning that is tailored to women. Despite this, many wo…