For many of us in our 50s and 60s, this question is no longer hypothetical — it’s personal. We’re healthier, living longer, and standing at the threshold of what could be another 30–40 active years of life. But while longevity has increased, clarity about what to do with that time hasn’t kept pace.
In this reflective series, Live to 100, Sanjay Mehta — serial entrepreneur, writer, and founder of Ananta Quest — explores the possibilities of the “second innings.” Drawing on lived experiences, conversations, and observations, he writes about the shifting intersections of health, wealth, relationships, purpose, and identity in midlife and beyond.
Each piece invites you to pause and think — not about growing old, but about growing into life more deeply.
With that, let’s get on with the journey…
Most people enter their 50s with a familiar sense of financial confidence. You’ve handled responsibilities. You know the markets. You’ve built your corpus. You’ve seen a few cycles. You feel seasoned. And yet, this is the decade where the most important financial mistakes get made.
Not because of lack of knowledge, but because the rules quietly change.
Here are five shifts every 50-plus individual needs to make — not for higher returns, but for greater peace of mind.
1. Plan for longevity, not retirement
The old model assumed 10–15 years post-retirement. Today, we’re looking at 30–40. That means your corpus has to last far longer than you expect. A comfortable number at 58 may feel inadequate at 72 if not structured well.
Longevity is not about living longer. It’s about staying financially independent longer.
That also means factoring in inflation on healthcare, lifestyle creep, and the possibility that one partner outlives the other by a decade or more.
2. Shift from return-chasing to volatility management
People think the biggest risk after 50 is lower returns. It isn’t. It’s unpredictability.
A sharp market correction right after you retire can damage your portfolio far more than a few years of modest growth can help.
The focus must move from maximum returns to minimum regret. Safety is not the opposite of growth. Safety is the foundation of growth.
3. Liquidity becomes more important than you realise
At this stage, easy access to money matters more than fancy returns. Medical decisions, travel for emergencies, or even helping children — these can’t wait for redemption cycles.
A liquidity buffer is not optional after 50. It is oxygen.
Think of it as peace of mind money — ready when you need it, invisible when you don’t.
4. Simplify your financial life
The more complex your portfolio, the more mental clutter you carry. Consolidate. Reduce the number of products. Build clarity. Complexity is a young person’s sport; simplicity is a privilege you must claim. The gift of financial maturity is not in more diversification — it’s in knowing what to let go of.
5. Align money with purpose
This is the most important shift. Money without purpose creates anxiety. Money with purpose creates freedom.
Ask yourself: “How do I want to live the next 20 years?” — not “How do I maximize returns?”
When purpose becomes the anchor, investment strategy becomes surprisingly straightforward.
Sanjay Mehta is a digital entrepreneur, investor, board advisor, and public speaker. He is the founder of Ananta Quest and co-founded Social Wavelength, which became one of India’s leading social media agencies and was later acquired by WPP to become Mirum India.
