Wealth Without a Safety Net? 43% of Indian HNIs Save Shockingly Little

A new survey from Marcellus Investment Managers and Dun & Bradstreet paints a surprising picture of how India’s high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) handle their money. Despite earning well, 43% of them save less than a fifth of what they make after taxes. That’s a lot lower than you might expect for people in this income bracket.

 

The survey covered 465 HNI households in 28 cities. It found that younger HNIs, especially those between 30 and 45, are the least likely to save enough, even though many of them want to retire early, start their own businesses, or set up a financial cushion for their kids.

 

Another interesting detail: 14% of respondents don’t have an emergency fund at all. And more than half of those surveyed put over 20% of their wealth into real estate, which means their investments aren’t very diversified. Only a small group invests much in stocks or global assets.

 

Debt is also a factor. About half of the 30–45 age group have active loans, and nearly a third admit they aren’t disciplined about saving. Most say they want better financial advice, but two-thirds are unhappy with what they’re getting now—mainly because it isn’t tailored to their needs.

 

The takeaway? Even the wealthy need help managing their money, and many are looking for more personalized, trustworthy advice as their goals and lifestyles change.

 

Sources: Economic Times, Business Today, NDTV Profit