Planning for retirement early is like building a house. For retirement planning to be successful, a solid financial foundation is just as important as a solid foundation for a house. The first step in building a house is creating a blueprint and determining the materials needed. The same goes for retirement planning; you will have to identify which investment vehicles will help you to reach the expected retirement corpus at the time you expect to retire. As construction progresses, it is important to periodically evaluate progress, make necessary adjustments, and ensure that the structure meets its intended purpose. In the same way, you must periodically review your portfolio and adjust your plan if necessary to ensure your financial goals are met. Lastly, once the house is completed, you will have a place to live that is comfortable and safe. Likewise, adopting an early and disciplined approach to savings and investments may contribute to a comfortable and secure retirement for you. Here Are the Seven Reasons Why You Should Start Retirement Planning Right Now  1. Cost of living keeps rising  The cost of living in India is constantly rising, and it’s likely to continue to be so. This means that it’s important to start saving for retirement as early as possible to ensure that you have enough money to continue with your lifestyle after retirement. 2. Inflation could eat into your investments The rate at which the cost of goods and services rises over time is known as inflation.  Inflation can be a significant concern, and it can eat into your investments over time if you don’t plan for it. The cost of delay in investments can be significant when inflation rises.  3. More time to re-adjust your portfolio Starting your retirement planning early can give you more time to adjust your investment portfolio and make changes as needed. This can help you better manage your risk and maximize your returns over time. When in doubt, it's advisable to consult your financial advisors for guidance and clarification. 4. Power of compounding Your investment earnings are reinvested through the process of compounding, which over time, generates further returns. Starting your retirement planning early can give you more time to take advantage of the power of compounding, resulting in better returns on your investments. Let’s take an example: Details Start investing at 25 Start investing at 30 Start investing at 35 Time to retirement (assuming you retire at 60) (a) 35 30 25 Amount invested per month (b) Rs 10,000 Rs 10,000 Rs 10,000 Assumed Return on Investment* 10% 10% 10% Invested amount Rs 42 lakh Rs 36 lakh Rs 30 lakh Total corpus accumulated with returns Rs 3.8 crore Rs 2.26 crore Rs 1.34 crore Cost of delayed investment - Rs  1.2 crore Rs 2.5 crore * The above calculations are for illustration purposes only. Invested amount was calculate using the formula: a*b*12. The total corpus accumulated with returns was calculated using the SIP calculator. The cost of delaying investment was determined by subtracting the total corpus accumulated at a specific age from the total corpus built since the age of 25. 5. Opportunity to earn returns     Investing early increases your chances of finding investment opportunities with the potential to earn returns in the long run. By giving yourself more time to research and analyse different options, you may potentially accelerate the growth of your retirement savings and be better prepare for your financial needs in retirement. 6. Early planning can reduce stress The earlier you start investing, the easier it will be to plan for and save for the future, making it less stressful.  7.  Retire on your own terms Starting your retirement planning early can give you more control over when and how you retire. Moreover, at a young age, you may have fewer responsibilities and goals making it more feasible to invest for retirement. This may offer you the flexibility to retire when you want and on your own terms rather than being forced to work longer than you’d like. Final Word Planning your retirement is essential to ensuring your security and safety as you enter your golden years. You should start retirement planning as soon as possible. Certain Mutual Fund schemes fall under the category of solution-oriented retirement plans, specifically designed for retirement planning. However, you also have the option to invest in other types of Mutual Fund schemes and earmark them for retirement. If you have any concerns or questions, it is advisable to seek guidance from your Mutual Fund Distributor. However, it is important not to delay retirement planning at the risk of paying higher investment premium. Start early to give yourself the best opportunity for a stress-free and relaxing transition into retirement.    Disclaimer Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.