IRIS 5.0 study reveals rise in India’s retirement Index Score to 48

Improvement in health and financial gains

India Retirement Index Study (IRIS 5.0), conducted by Axis Max Life Insurance in partnership with business survey firm Kantar, highlights the country’s improvement in health habits, medical check-ups while awareness about building an adequate retirement corpus remains inadequate.

Axis Max Life Insurance, formerly known as Max Life Insurance, in partnership with business survey firm Kantar, has issued its 5th edition of the India Retirement Index Study (IRIS 5.0) which reveals the improvement in India’s retirement readiness with the IRIS Index score rising from 44 to 48 in four years, highlighting a better and stronger financial, emotional and health awareness.

According to the press statement, 2025 edition highlights the improvement in the Index score due to variables like better fitness habits, regular medical check-ups and higher insurance adoption. However, awareness about retirement corpus remains to be low, in which 7 out of 10 respondents believing INR 10 million sufficient for a good and comfortable retirement. 

The statement further added that the edition published focused on segments like Return Migrants and Gig workers of which the first one has been studied separately as a cohort for the first time. The edition also reflects on India ready for retirement. 

“IRIS 5.0 signals a clear shift towards smarter and more holistic retirement planning. Today’s consumers are showing greater health consciousness, higher product awareness, and sustained financial confidence. As health preparedness improves, the next frontier is building adequate retirement corpus and emotional resilience. The study also highlights a growing segment of individuals uncertain about how to begin their planning, reinforcing the need for a trusted advisory support. Diverse segments such as gig workers, women, and return migrants require tailored and inclusive solutions. The findings underline how the next phase of growth for the industry will hinge on delivering more innovative, advisory-led, and inclusive retirement solutions,” said Sumit Madan, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Axis Max Life Insurance. 

The statement has shown improvement in health readiness, however 71 pc of people have reported loneliness concerns while 72 pc have reported concerns about emotional confidence.

The statement also said that women have shown slightly better preparations made for retirement as compared to men, and 82 pc of women have been physically fit during retirement as compared 78 pc of men. However, 8 pc women are reluctant to invest in risk based financial instruments and have reported a higher level of loneliness. 

Further the statement has said that the urban population in metropolitan cities have reflected a stronger focus on wellness and financial discipline. In Tier-I cities, the population has shown a 13 pc rise in regular physical activities and 21 pc increase in participation in risk-based investments.

The statement adds that the East zone of the country is currently leading in a balanced preparedness across sectors of finance, health and emotion. North and South India have shown strong recoveries in health and financial readiness post Covid-19 pandemic.