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India Gazette
5 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Despite high income, HNIs in India struggle with financial goals like retirement planning, children's education: Report
New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): Despite India's booming economy and a strong bull run in the markets, a large number of High Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs) in India are falling short of achieving their financial goals. The 'India Wealth Survey 2025,' conducted by Marcellus Investment and Dun & Bradstreet, revealed a worrying picture of limited savings, heavy debt burdens, and lack of financial planning among wealthy individuals. The report said, 'In spite of a record-breaking bull run, Indian HNIs remain frustrated by their limited success'. As per the survey report, one of the key takeaways is that many HNIs, despite high incomes, are not saving enough. About 43 per cent of HNIs are saving less than 20 per cent of their post-tax income, and the issue is worse among those aged between 30 to 45, half of whom fall into this category. Additionally, 4 out of 10 HNIs reported having at least one active loan, and among the younger group (30-45 years), 50 per cent are burdened with loans. This financial stress is limiting their ability to plan for major life goals like retirement, children's education, or home purchases. The survey, which covered 465 respondents across metro, Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities, focused on individuals over the age of 30 with post-tax incomes above Rs 20 lakh annually. The report showed that HNIs have high aspirations, 75 per cent aim to fund their children's education and marriage, 40 per cent wish to buy a house or start a business, and many desire early retirement. However, only a few have a structured financial plan in place. It also highlighted that real estate continues to dominate asset allocation, with over half of HNIs having more than 20 per cent of their wealth in property (excluding their primary residence), while only a third have the same proportion in equities. A significant 14 per cent do not maintain any emergency fund, and nearly a quarter are not familiar with global investing. While 87 per cent of HNIs depend on external financial advisors, a worrying two-thirds of them are unhappy with the advice they receive. Many complain that advisors push products for commissions, don't offer personalized advice, and fail to explain the rationale behind investment choices. The report stated, 'The advisor doesn't fully understand my needs, and their recommendations are not tailored to my unique situation.' Encouragingly, 82 per cent of HNIs believe that professional financial planning can help them better achieve their goals. They seek advisors who can offer personalized asset allocation based on their specific goals and risk tolerance, assist with planning major life events, and provide unbiased and transparent advice. To address these issues, the report proposed a three-step solution, free personalized goal planning and asset allocation, access to diversified portfolios (including global equities), and continuous handholding and support throughout the investment journey. The report painted a clear picture: HNIs in India need to save more, diversify better, and seek reliable, personalized financial advice to turn their aspirations into achievable goals. (ANI)
Economic Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Not just you, even HNIs are struggling to save and invest
TIL Creatives India Wealth Survey 2025: The India Wealth Survey 2025 captured responses from 465 households across 28 Indian cities Mr. Kumar, a 44-year-old banking professional living in Mumbai's Kandivali suburb, earns Rs 50 lakh annually and holds assets worth Rs 3.5 crore. He dreams of buying a new car, funding his daughter's international education, walking her down the aisle, and retiring at 60 with a steady income. Yet, he saves just Rs 5 lakh a year. With a ballooning home loan EMI, school fees, and other lifestyle expenses, Kumar's financial plan, if one can call it that, secures only 62% of his long-term story is not unique. In fact, it's alarmingly typical. According to the India Wealth Survey 2025, jointly conducted by Marcellus Investment Managers and Dun & Bradstreet, India's high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) are increasingly aspirational but financially underprepared. Despite a decade-long bull market and swelling disposable incomes, nearly 43% of Indian HNIs save less than 20% of their post-tax income. For individuals earning more than Rs 20 lakh a year, like Kumar, this mismatch between ambition and financial action is a sobering reality check. The survey, conducted between February and March 2025, captured responses from 465 households across 28 Indian cities, including metros, Tier 1, and Tier 2 towns. These households span different age brackets, professions, and family setups, but a common thread emerged: while wealth may be growing, financial discipline is not keeping pace. India's affluent class is maturing in mindset. The survey found that 75% of HNIs prioritise funding their children's education and marriage, while 40% aim to buy homes, start businesses, or retire early. These aren't far-fetched goals for individuals with annual incomes exceeding Rs 20 lakh. However, many lack the financial clarity to achieve them. More than one-third of respondents aged 30–45, those typically in their prime earning years, reported having at least one active loan. Among these younger HNIs, half are servicing debt, and only 25% manage to save more than 30% of their income. As the survey puts it bluntly, 'Indian HNIs: So Near, Yet So Far.'Their challenges stem not just from consumption but from structural issues in how they plan, or fail to plan, their financial futures. A staggering 14% of HNIs surveyed do not maintain an emergency fund at all, leaving them vulnerable to even minor financial estate continues to dominate the Indian HNI's investment palette, despite its illiquidity and cyclical risks. The survey found that more than 50% of HNIs allocate over 20% of their wealth to real estate, excluding their primary residences. By contrast, only one in three HNIs allocates more than 20% to equities, a disparity that persists even among those who claim to be comfortable with market-linked fact, even ultra-HNIs, defined in the study as households with net worths exceeding Rs 10 crore, struggle with effective diversification. 63% of them save more than 30% of their income, yet only 17% allocate more than 30% to equities. Meanwhile, 65% of them continue to invest 10–20% in gold and silver, underscoring a lingering preference for traditional stores of value over globally diversified, higher-yielding options.'HNIs face challenges in achieving their goals,' the survey noted, citing low investment returns (40%), lack of savings discipline (29%), poor understanding of investment options (21%), and high debt burdens (9%) as the most common roadblocks. While nearly 87% of HNIs rely on external advisors, including wealth managers, bank RMs, chartered accountants, friends, or stock brokers, many feel let down. Two-thirds reported dissatisfaction with the quality of advice they receive. The complaints are telling: 'The advisor doesn't fully understand my needs, and their recommendations are not tailored to my unique situation,' one respondent said. Another added, 'My advisor recommends products to meet their commission targets, rather than advising products which are right for me.'The survey found 31% of respondents citing lack of personalisation, 17% citing conflict of interest, and 14% highlighting lack of transparency as key reasons for their demand for quality advice has never been stronger. A resounding 82% of respondents believe professional financial planning improves their odds of meeting long-term goals. Additionally, 51% want help with diversification, 38% want customised asset allocation, and 32% seek assistance in goal planning, clear signs that Indian HNIs are hungry for more than just investment products; they want frameworks, relationships, and long-term vision. The Marcellus–D&B Wealth Survey 2025 paints a nuanced portrait of India's affluent class: ambitious, aware, but adrift. The traditional model of passive investing, real estate accumulation, and informal advice is showing its age. What HNIs now demand is a more deliberate path, one that aligns their wealth with their purpose. From goal-linked planning and global diversification to conflict-free advisory relationships, the contours of this new roadmap are beginning to take shape. Yet, as the case of Mr. Kumar shows, the gap between intention and execution remains wide. Also read | 43% of Indian HNIs save less than 20% of their income, says Marcellus–D&B Wealth 2025 survey Marcellus proposes a three-pronged solution: no-cost personalised financial planning, access to diversified portfolios including global equities, and ongoing support and counselling. For those willing to trade DIY bravado for expert help, the promise is simple: security, clarity, and peace of until the broader shift occurs, until more Indian HNIs reframe money not just as an asset to accumulate, but as a means to achieve carefully mapped life goals, stories like Kumar's will continue to be the rule, not the exception.(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Not just you, even HNIs are struggling to save and invest
Aspirations are high, planning is low Live Events The portfolio puzzle: heavy on real estate, light on diversification A broken advisory model A moment of inflection in India's wealth journey (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel Mr. Kumar, a 44-year-old banking professional living in Mumbai's Kandivali suburb, earns Rs 50 lakh annually and holds assets worth Rs 3.5 crore. He dreams of buying a new car, funding his daughter's international education, walking her down the aisle, and retiring at 60 with a steady income. Yet, he saves just Rs 5 lakh a year. With a ballooning home loan EMI, school fees, and other lifestyle expenses, Kumar's financial plan, if one can call it that, secures only 62% of his long-term story is not unique. In fact, it's alarmingly to the India Wealth Survey 2025 , jointly conducted by Marcellus Investment Managers and Dun & Bradstreet, India's high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) are increasingly aspirational but financially underprepared. Despite a decade-long bull market and swelling disposable incomes, nearly 43% of Indian HNIs save less than 20% of their post-tax income. For individuals earning more than Rs 20 lakh a year, like Kumar, this mismatch between ambition and financial action is a sobering reality survey, conducted between February and March 2025, captured responses from 465 households across 28 Indian cities, including metros, Tier 1, and Tier 2 towns. These households span different age brackets, professions, and family setups, but a common thread emerged: while wealth may be growing, financial discipline is not keeping affluent class is maturing in mindset. The survey found that 75% of HNIs prioritise funding their children's education and marriage, while 40% aim to buy homes, start businesses, or retire early. These aren't far-fetched goals for individuals with annual incomes exceeding Rs 20 lakh. However, many lack the financial clarity to achieve than one-third of respondents aged 30–45, those typically in their prime earning years, reported having at least one active loan. Among these younger HNIs, half are servicing debt, and only 25% manage to save more than 30% of their income. As the survey puts it bluntly, 'Indian HNIs: So Near, Yet So Far.'Their challenges stem not just from consumption but from structural issues in how they plan, or fail to plan, their financial futures. A staggering 14% of HNIs surveyed do not maintain an emergency fund at all, leaving them vulnerable to even minor financial estate continues to dominate the Indian HNI's investment palette, despite its illiquidity and cyclical risks. The survey found that more than 50% of HNIs allocate over 20% of their wealth to real estate, excluding their primary residences. By contrast, only one in three HNIs allocates more than 20% to equities, a disparity that persists even among those who claim to be comfortable with market-linked fact, even ultra-HNIs, defined in the study as households with net worths exceeding Rs 10 crore, struggle with effective diversification. 63% of them save more than 30% of their income, yet only 17% allocate more than 30% to equities. Meanwhile, 65% of them continue to invest 10–20% in gold and silver, underscoring a lingering preference for traditional stores of value over globally diversified, higher-yielding options.'HNIs face challenges in achieving their goals,' the survey noted, citing low investment returns (40%), lack of savings discipline (29%), poor understanding of investment options (21%), and high debt burdens (9%) as the most common nearly 87% of HNIs rely on external advisors, including wealth managers, bank RMs, chartered accountants, friends, or stock brokers, many feel let down. Two-thirds reported dissatisfaction with the quality of advice they complaints are telling: 'The advisor doesn't fully understand my needs, and their recommendations are not tailored to my unique situation,' one respondent said. Another added, 'My advisor recommends products to meet their commission targets, rather than advising products which are right for me.'The survey found 31% of respondents citing lack of personalisation, 17% citing conflict of interest, and 14% highlighting lack of transparency as key reasons for their demand for quality advice has never been stronger. A resounding 82% of respondents believe professional financial planning improves their odds of meeting long-term goals. Additionally, 51% want help with diversification, 38% want customised asset allocation, and 32% seek assistance in goal planning, clear signs that Indian HNIs are hungry for more than just investment products; they want frameworks, relationships, and long-term Marcellus–D&B Wealth Survey 2025 paints a nuanced portrait of India's affluent class: ambitious, aware, but adrift. The traditional model of passive investing, real estate accumulation, and informal advice is showing its age. What HNIs now demand is a more deliberate path, one that aligns their wealth with their goal-linked planning and global diversification to conflict-free advisory relationships, the contours of this new roadmap are beginning to take shape. Yet, as the case of Mr. Kumar shows, the gap between intention and execution remains proposes a three-pronged solution: no-cost personalised financial planning, access to diversified portfolios including global equities, and ongoing support and counselling. For those willing to trade DIY bravado for expert help, the promise is simple: security, clarity, and peace of until the broader shift occurs, until more Indian HNIs reframe money not just as an asset to accumulate, but as a means to achieve carefully mapped life goals, stories like Kumar's will continue to be the rule, not the exception.(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
In booming bull market & high-flying economy, it's the high & mighty that are coming up short
In what might sound like a major anomaly, in a high-flying economy bolstered by a booming bull market, it's the high & mighty that are coming up short. Even as the Indian economy flourishes and the stock market witnesses a bull run for the ages, many high net-worth individuals (HNIs) seem to be struggling to meet their financial aspirations, a new survey has found. In essence, the "India Wealth Survey 2025," conducted by Marcellus Investment and Dun & Bradstreet, has revealed things that are hard to associate with the rich in an economy like India's. Limited savings, heavy debt Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. The survey highlights that a significant portion of HNIs are falling short when it comes to saving. Surprisingly, 43 per cent save less than 20 per cent of their post-tax income. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo This becomes even more pronounced among those aged between 30 and 45, with half of this group saving insufficiently. The survey also reported that nearly 40 per cent of HNIs have at least one active loan, placing financial strain on their ability to plan for crucial life events, such as retirement or children's education. Live Events High hopes, poor planning Despite their wealth, many HNIs have ambitious goals. Seventy-five per cent express a desire to fund their children's education or marriage, while 40 per cent aspire to purchase a home or start a business. However, the survey indicates that few of these individuals possess a structured financial plan to realise these dreams. Furthermore, over half of HNIs allocate more than 20 per cent of their wealth to real estate (excluding their primary residence), yet only a third invest similarly in equities. Lack of useful advice A concerning finding of the survey is that 14 per cent of HNIs do not maintain an emergency fund, and nearly a quarter are unfamiliar with global investing. While 87 per cent of HNIs rely on external financial advisors, two-thirds express dissatisfaction with the advice they receive. Many feel that their advisors promote products for commissions rather than providing tailored, insightful recommendations. One respondent told the surveyor, "The advisor doesn't fully understand my needs, and their recommendations are not tailored to my unique situation." A three-step solution Despite these challenges, an encouraging 82 per cent of HNIs believe that professional financial planning could help them achieve their financial goals more effectively. They seek advisors who can offer personalised asset allocation reflecting their specific goals and risk tolerance, assist in planning major life events, and deliver unbiased advice. To address the issues highlighted in the survey, a three-step solution has been proposed: free personalised goal planning and asset allocation, access to diversified portfolios that include global equities, and continuous support throughout the investment journey. In a nutshell, the survey underscored the urgent need for HNIs in India to save more, diversify their investments, and seek reliable, personalised financial advice. Only by doing so can they hope to turn their aspirations into reality, it said.
Economic Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
In booming bull market & high-flying economy, it's the high & mighty that are coming up short
Getty Images Over half of HNIs allocate more than 20 per cent of their wealth to real estate (excluding their primary residence), yet only a third invest similarly in equities. In what might sound like a major anomaly, in a high-flying economy bolstered by a booming bull market, it's the high & mighty that are coming up short. Even as the Indian economy flourishes and the stock market witnesses a bull run for the ages, many high net-worth individuals (HNIs) seem to be struggling to meet their financial aspirations, a new survey has found. In essence, the "India Wealth Survey 2025," conducted by Marcellus Investment and Dun & Bradstreet, has revealed things that are hard to associate with the rich in an economy like India's. The survey highlights that a significant portion of HNIs are falling short when it comes to saving. Surprisingly, 43 per cent save less than 20 per cent of their post-tax becomes even more pronounced among those aged between 30 and 45, with half of this group saving survey also reported that nearly 40 per cent of HNIs have at least one active loan, placing financial strain on their ability to plan for crucial life events, such as retirement or children's education. Despite their wealth, many HNIs have ambitious goals. Seventy-five per cent express a desire to fund their children's education or marriage, while 40 per cent aspire to purchase a home or start a the survey indicates that few of these individuals possess a structured financial plan to realise these over half of HNIs allocate more than 20 per cent of their wealth to real estate (excluding their primary residence), yet only a third invest similarly in equities.A concerning finding of the survey is that 14 per cent of HNIs do not maintain an emergency fund, and nearly a quarter are unfamiliar with global 87 per cent of HNIs rely on external financial advisors, two-thirds express dissatisfaction with the advice they feel that their advisors promote products for commissions rather than providing tailored, insightful respondent told the surveyor, "The advisor doesn't fully understand my needs, and their recommendations are not tailored to my unique situation."Despite these challenges, an encouraging 82 per cent of HNIs believe that professional financial planning could help them achieve their financial goals more effectively. They seek advisors who can offer personalised asset allocation reflecting their specific goals and risk tolerance, assist in planning major life events, and deliver unbiased address the issues highlighted in the survey, a three-step solution has been proposed: free personalised goal planning and asset allocation, access to diversified portfolios that include global equities, and continuous support throughout the investment journey. In a nutshell, the survey underscored the urgent need for HNIs in India to save more, diversify their investments, and seek reliable, personalised financial advice. Only by doing so can they hope to turn their aspirations into reality, it said.
