Axis Max Life Insurance Limited has released the Western Zone findings of the fifth edition of the India Retirement Index Study (IRIS 5.0), revealing that the region has surpassed the national average in retirement readiness.
The West Zone recorded an IRIS score of 50, outperforming the all-India benchmark of 48.
India Retirement Index Study: West Zone Financial and Health Preparedness Strengthens
The India Retirement Index Study evaluates urban India’s retirement readiness on a scale of 0 to 100, based on three indicators: financial preparedness, health preparedness, and emotional preparedness.
Conducted in partnership with Kantar, the study highlights continued progress in the Western region, especially in financial and health behaviours.
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In 2025, the Financial Preparedness Index for West India rose sharply to 55, up from 48 in the 2022 IRIS 2.0 edition. The Health Preparedness Index also improved, increasing from 42 to 47. Emotional Preparedness, however, remained unchanged at 59.
Retirement behaviour trends indicate increased diversification of financial portfolios across the region. Life insurance remained one of the most widely recognised instruments.
A significant 91% of respondents reported relying on guidance from trusted sources – such as family members, financial advisors, and colleagues – during retirement planning, underscoring a strong culture of recommendation-led financial decision-making.
Sumit Madan, MD & CEO of Axis Max Life Insurance, noted that Western India is witnessing a steady shift toward action-oriented retirement planning. He highlighted that retirement investing in the region rose from 62% in 2022 to 72% in 2025, well ahead of national growth trends.
India Retirement Index Study: Health Confidence Accelerates in West India
The findings of the India Retirement Index Study show rising confidence in health readiness among West Zone respondents. A notable 79% expect to remain healthy during retirement. Daily physical activity has increased significantly, with 45% reporting routine fitness practices compared to 36% earlier.
Health insurance ownership grew by 14 points, while the adoption of health apps, nutraceutical supplements, and wearable health trackers reflects a widening shift toward preventive wellness.
India Retirement Index Study: Emotional Preparedness Still Lags
Despite gains in financial and health indices, emotional preparedness remains a challenge. The Emotional Preparedness Index for West India stands at 59, the same as earlier editions.
Respondents expressed concerns regarding loneliness (70%), dependence on children (72%), and environmental issues affecting their retirement years (75%).
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India Retirement Index Study: Early Planning Mindset Rising, but Corpus Gaps Persist
The India Retirement Index Study also indicates growing awareness around early planning. About 58% of respondents believe retirement planning should begin before age 35. Among individuals aged 50 and above, 61% said they would advise their younger selves to start saving earlier.
However, long-term corpus confidence remains limited. While three out of four respondents believe that a ₹1 crore corpus is ideal for retirement, nearly half are uncertain about their actual requirements.
Only 39% expect their savings to last more than 10 years post-retirement, revealing a need for more structured financial planning and guidance.
