NDTV Profit and Outlook Money reported that North-zone respondents in Axis Max Life Insurance’s 2026 Bharosa Talks India Retirement Index Study (IRIS 6.0) favored early retirement, but few expected their savings to last 10 years.
The North-zone readiness score was 47 in 2026, below the national score of 49. Axis Max Life’s release said East scored 52, while West and South each reached 49. Outlook Money reported that North’s result was 48 in 2025. The index gauges perceived preparation across financial, health and emotional dimensions on a 0-to-100 scale.
The outlets reported that 74% of respondents would retire before the traditional retirement age if their financial needs were met. On average, they had accumulated 26% of their target retirement corpus. Only 26% expected their savings to cover at least 10 years after retirement, compared with 38% in the previous survey. Among those seeking an early retirement, 49% wanted financial independence and to retire before age 50.
Outlook Money reported that 68% of North-zone respondents had begun investing for retirement, up from 64% in the previous edition but below the national 70%. It also reported that 39% thought planning should begin when people start earning, compared with 50% nationally. Respondents placed the ideal age for thinking about retirement savings at 33, versus 31 nationally.
Regional findings reported by NDTV Profit and Outlook Money put the North’s health preparedness score at 44, down from 46. The outlets said 81% worried about loneliness in retirement, while confidence in support from family and friends was 84%, down from 88%. Axis Max Life’s release put national concern about loneliness at 74%.
Axis Max Life said the overall study, conducted with Kantar, surveyed 4,134 households in 40 cities from July to August 2026. The self-administered digital survey covered working people ages 25 to 65 in SEC A/B.
