Strategic planning and diligent saving are key to achieving a secure and rewarding early retirement; financial discipline and some sacrifices are necessary.

If you are around 35, you can boost your retirement corpus with a smart investment plan; increase your investments by 10 percent annually and watch your money grow. If you cannot, consider putting off your retirement by a couple of years.

Bank FDs offer risk-free and stable returns, making them ideal for risk-averse investors. On the other hand, fixed income mutual funds provide higher potential returns and liquidity, for those seeking growth and flexibility in their investments