In March 2020, a remarkable story caught public attention—a 121-year-old freedom fighter, journalist and scholar passed away. What struck me was not just his contribution to society, but the sheer length of his life.
It made me think deeply about the lifestyle habits required to live past a hundred: discipline, healthy routines, clean eating, physical activity, and a positive mindset.
But then a more uncomfortable thought emerged:
What if we actually live that long?
Not emotionally, not physically—but financially?
A long life without financial preparation can quickly turn into a burden. In this article, we’ll explore why and how we must prepare for a life that may extend to 100 years or more.
Why Traditional Retirement Planning Is Not Enough
Most retirement calculators, advisors or tools ask two inputs:
Retirement age (usually 60)
Life expectancy (usually 80)
This 60–80 assumption has become the default.
But this can be a dangerous mistake.
With progress in:
Medical science
Fitness awareness
Clean eating
Mental health focus
Preventive healthcare
…living to 90 or 100 is no longer unusual. Many will cross it.
Yet, we hesitate to enter “100” as our expected life span—perhaps out of fear, culture, or imagination limits.
But ignoring longevity risk may destroy your retirement plan.
Why You Should Not Rely on Your Children
During a discussion on long life planning, a friend casually said:
“If I live too long, one of my two kids will take care of me.”
This is a flawed assumption.
Children will have:
Their own careers
Their own families
Their own financial responsibilities
Depending on them for your survival is unfair and impractical.
Also, governments cannot guarantee full retirement support either.
So the only reliable option is self-reliance, built through smart, long-term financial planning.
How to Prepare for a Life Beyond 80 or 100
If you want your money to support you for decades after retirement, your investments must meet two criteria:
✔️ Longevity – survive for decades
✔️ Resilience – withstand shocks, recessions, wars, and market cycles
Very few investment instruments fulfill both.
One of the strongest candidates is:
Index Funds
An index fund invests in a market index like Nifty 50 or Sensex.
It buys all the stocks in the same proportion as the index.
Why does this matter?
Because:
1. Weak companies get removed automatically
The index constantly refreshes itself.
Companies that lose relevance are replaced by stronger companies.
2. Only the largest, strongest companies survive in the index
Nifty 50 selects top companies by free-float market capitalization.
3. Index = Built-in evolution & survival
Here’s a powerful fact:
Nifty 50 is 25 years old.
Only 12 companies out of the original list remain.
Nearly 100 companies came and went.
Some collapsed, some went bankrupt.
But the index survived and grew.
This is resilience.
Similarly, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (USA) has existed since 1896—a staggering 126 years.
It has survived:
Two world wars
Numerous recessions
Market crashes
Political turbulence
Only 1 company remains from the original list, but the index is stronger than ever.
This ability to evolve automatically is why index funds make sense for ultra–long-term investing.
How to Build a 100-Year-Compatible Retirement Plan
✔️ Step 1: Pick a good index fund
Choose a reliable index fund tracking Nifty 50, Sensex or broader indices.
✔️ Step 2: Start a SIP
Invest regularly—monthly, quarterly or yearly.
✔️ Step 3: Treat it as a hyper long-term investment
This is not money to touch in your 40s, 50s or even early 60s.
✔️ Step 4: Tap it only in very old age
This becomes your safety cushion after 75–80, when your expenses rise and income drops.
✔️ Step 5: Forget about it until then
Let time and compounding work silently.
A Real-Life Lesson in Independence
Recently in Bengaluru’s oldest market, KR Market, I met a 102-year-old woman selling ginger and chillies.
Not out of necessity, but out of enthusiasm.
Her daughter (in her 70s), sitting next to her, shared that the old lady owned two rental properties—more than enough to live comfortably.
Yet she chose to work, interact and stay active every day.
This moment taught two unforgettable lessons:
Financial independence brings dignity—even at 100.
Enthusiasm for life matters as much as wealth.
A long life is rewarding only if you’re physically active and financially independent.
Final Thoughts
We cannot control how long we live.
But we can control whether we live long comfortably or anxiously.
A strong retirement strategy today ensures that even if you reach 100:
You remain independent
You maintain dignity
You avoid burdening your children
You enjoy your later years with peace
And for that, index funds—with their resilience, simplicity, and longevity—play a key role.
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