Across India's metropolitan landscape, a growing number of couples are consciously choosing a life without children. This decision is leading to a fundamental reimagining of financial security, retirement goals, and legacy planning, moving away from traditional, child-centric models.
Prioritising Autonomy and Early Retirement
For professionals like Dipshikha Bhattacharyya, 43, and Sambit Pal, 44, from Pune, the choice was not financially motivated but has provided immense financial clarity. Similarly, Delhi-based Shreya Johri, 30, and Apoorv Murpana, 29, find that without planning for expenses like education or weddings, they can focus on travel, experiences, and an early retirement.
"Since we're not planning for expenses like schooling, college or weddings, we're more inclined to plan for an early retirement so that, if life permits, we can enjoy our later years in peace and comfort," Johri explained. This sentiment underscores a broader trend where flexibility, self-reliance, and experiential living take precedence.
Navigating Longevity Risk and Healthcare
The core challenge for child-free couples is managing longevity risk—ensuring not just that funds last, but that they can support themselves independently in advanced age without a familial safety net. Financial experts emphasise a structured approach to investments and healthcare.
Ajay Kumar Yadav of Wise Finserv recommends a three-bucket investment strategy. The first focuses on growth through equities to combat inflation. The second provides stability via hybrid funds and debt instruments for regular income. The third bucket is for guaranteed income in later years through annuities, ensuring essential expenses are met even if health declines.
Healthcare planning is paramount. Vinit Rathi of Avisa Wealth Creators advises securing health insurance cover worth 50-100% of annual income early to avoid exclusions and keep premiums low, supplemented by accidental and critical-illness covers.
Swati Jain of Arihant Capital Markets highlights the need for a dedicated healthcare fund. She advises projecting current costs—including insurance, out-of-pocket expenses, and potential long-term care—forward at a medical inflation rate of 12-15%. A current annual expense of ₹2 lakh could balloon to approximately ₹27.5 lakh in 20 years.
"Couples should plan for lifespans extending to 85-90 years," Jain stated, noting that long-term care costs for home aides or assisted living in metros can range from ₹25,000 to ₹2 lakh per month.
Estate Planning Without Direct Heirs
For couples without children, estate planning becomes critical to ensure their assets are distributed as intended. Amit Suri, founder of AUM Wealth, outlines a clear process.
The first step is appointing a trustworthy executor, often a professional corporate trustee, for impartial administration. The second involves creating unambiguous bequests for friends, charities, or causes using tools like testamentary trusts. The final step is meticulous documentation of all assets and digital footprints.
Many couples, like Bhattacharyya and her husband, plan to leave their assets to charitable causes, such as education. Saurabh Bansal of Finatwork Investment Advisor notes that while these couples enjoy lifestyle flexibility, they must guard against underestimating future support needs and delaying estate planning.
This evolving financial narrative among child-free urban Indians highlights a shift towards proactive, dignified, and self-directed ageing, setting a new benchmark for retirement planning in the country.
