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Discover How To Save More For Retirement With The 30-30-30-10 Rule

Most people may have funds to use during retirement, but don’t know how to allocate them appropriately. On the other hand, some individuals do not plan for retirement at all, opting for insufficient investments while they are young. Regardless of the situation you face, retirement planning should be initiated while you are young and earning a steady income. In every stage of life, there are some financial obligations to fulfil for which you may save your hard-earned money. For instance, you may save for your child’s further education or for some medical contingency. However, for some people, retirement savings are far from their minds. Read More

What you tend to see, even if individuals save their wealth, is an entitlement to spend whatever is saved, rather than a solid retirement plan or investment. You may suddenly, at retirement, feel a sense of entitlement that arises out of fulfilling your obligations while you were working. Nonetheless, whatever the case may be, a strict retirement plan needs to be in place. Read Less

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Written ByPalak Bagadia
AboutPalak Bagadia
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Palak Bagadia, Associate – Digital Marketing at Bajaj Life Insurance, with experience spanning content and performance marketing, recruitment, employee engagement in the BFSI industry, with a strong understanding of the insurance sector.
Reviewed ByRituraj Singh
AboutRituraj Singh
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Rituraj Singh,With over 6.5 years of experience in the insurance industry, Rituraj Singh, Manager- Product & Brand Marketing at Bajaj Life Insurance overlooks new product launches, compliance, and brand projects, leveraging artificial intelligence and technology to enhance outcomes.
Written on: 10th September 2025
Modified on: 06th February 2026
Reading Time: 28 Mins
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What is the 30:30:30:10 rule of saving for one's retirement?

The 30:30:30:10 rule is a guideline for allocating your retirement savings. It suggests allocating: 1

  • 30% of your funds should go towards inheritance
  • 30% for your own future
  • 30% for living expenses during retirement
  • 10% as an emergencies

If you have a pension plan, it can complement this allocation because pension products are designed to provide regular income during retirement. They help reduce the pressure on your investment corpus by offering a predictable income stream, allowing you to maintain a balanced approach between growth-oriented investments and stable retirement income. This combination supports both long-term wealth creation and financial stability in your post-retirement years.

 

Planning for the Future

While you may be familiar with one approach to the 30:30:30:10 rule, there are other variations that can make your retirement planning more efficient. Understanding these variations helps you manage your savings and income more effectively, enabling you to meet your retirement planning objectives while balancing your current obligations.

 

Creating a Diversified Portfolio

By spreading your savings across different investment options, such as equities, bonds, real estate, and liquid funds, the 30:30:30:10 rule promotes a diversified portfolio. Diversification minimizes the risk of financial losses and allows your wealth to grow steadily. This way, no single investment dominates your portfolio, striking a balance between growth potential and retirement security.

 

Key Takeaways

  • It encourages a diversified portfolio, spreading risk across a group of assets .
  • The rule helps manage spending, build wealth steadily, and prepare for emergencies, which makes it suitable for all stages of life.
 

Conclusion

The 30:30:30:10 rule starts with small, consistent steps. Begin by tracking your income and expenses to determine where you can allocate each portion. Then, automate contributions to savings, investments, and emergency funds to stay on track. Revisit your plan annually, adjust it for changes in lifestyle or inflation, and utilize tax-friendly options whenever possible. This practical approach helps you grow wealth steadily while securing a stable and comfortable retirement.

 

FAQs

 

1. How does the 30:30:30:10 rule work?

The rule divides your retirement funds as follows: 30% for inheritance, 30% for investments, 30% for living expenses, and 10% for emergency liquidity.

 

2. Who should follow the 30:30:30:10 rule?

Individuals who need structured retirement planning can follow this rule. It is suitable for those who want to manage their current expenses, build wealth, and prepare for an emergency fund.

 

3. What do the numbers 30:30:30:10 represent in retirement planning?

Each number represents a portion of your retirement funds: 30% for inheritance, 30% for investments, 30% for living expenses, and 10% for emergency liquidity.

 

4. Is the 30:30:30:10 rule suitable for young professionals?

Yes, young professionals benefit by adopting it early. It encourages disciplined saving, investment diversification, and emergency fund allocation, establishing a strong foundation for retirement.

 

5. Can the 30:30:30:10 rule help maximize retirement savings?

The rule strategically allocates funds across investments, living expenses, and liquidity to achieve consistent growth, limit overspending, and build a diversified portfolio. This can optimize retirement savings over the long term.

 

6. Are there any risks associated with following the 30:30:30:10 rule?

There can be risks associated with the 30:30:30:10 rule. These include the possibility that the allocation may not suit your personal goals, the impact of inflation on long-term expenses, or unexpected financial needs that exceed your emergency fund. These risks cannot be eliminated, but reviewing your finances regularly and adjusting the allocation when circumstances change can help keep your plan aligned with your financial situation.

 

7. How to implement the 30:30:30:10 rule in real-life retirement planning?

Start by assessing your income, expenses, and goals. Allocate 30:30:30:10 across inheritance, investments, living costs, and emergency liquidity.


References:

  1. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/plan/the-30303010-rule-of-saving-for-ones-retirement/articleshow/85709986.cms?from=mdr

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