Chartered accountant Nitin Kaushik has raised concerns about the traditional belief that owning a home and having an Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) ensures a secure retirement in India. His analysis suggests that individuals planning for retirement should aim for a corpus between ₹5 crore and ₹8 crore to maintain a comfortable lifestyle over a 25-year retirement period, especially considering a 6% inflation rate. In contrast, typical EPF savings for private-sector professionals range from ₹40 lakh to ₹1 crore, which may only cover initial retirement years. Kaushik also highlights that a ₹2 crore apartment in a metro city yields a rental income of only 2.5% to 3%, translating to approximately ₹45,000 to ₹50,000 monthly, which diminishes in value over time due to inflation. He warns that real estate is an illiquid asset that may not provide consistent cash flow, particularly during later years when healthcare and daily expenses rise. Additionally, he points out the increasing costs of delaying investments, where starting to save later can require significantly higher monthly contributions to achieve the same retirement goal. Kaushik emphasizes a shift in mindset, advocating for a focus on liquidity to ensure financial independence in retirement.