
For many people, turning 40 brings a sharper focus on retirement planning. The big question is whether there is still enough time to build a meaningful corpus.
The answer is that it can be possible, provided the investment amount, time horizon, return expectation, and annual increase in contribution all work together in a disciplined manner.
Yes, based on the assumptions given, reaching a retirement corpus of around ₹5 crore by age 60 appears possible.
Here are the assumptions used:
Monthly SIP: ₹25,150
Annual step up in SIP: 10%
Expected annualised return: 12%
Investment period: 20 years
Under these conditions, the total value of the investment after 20 years comes to:
Total corpus: ₹5,00,21,104
Invested amount: ₹1,72,85,964
Estimated returns: ₹3,27,35,140
This shows that the final corpus is not created only by the money invested. A large part of the total value comes from the returns generated over time.
Many investors feel that starting at 40 is already late. While an early start always gives a larger advantage, a later start does not automatically make the goal impossible. What matters is the size of the monthly investment and the willingness to increase that investment every year.
This is where a step up SIP calculator becomes useful. It helps show how a fixed monthly SIP may not always be enough for a large retirement goal, but a SIP that rises every year can make the target more realistic. In simple terms, a step-up SIP means increasing the SIP amount at regular intervals, usually once every year.
The biggest strength of a step-up SIP is that it aligns investing with rising earning capacity. At the start, a person may find it difficult to commit a very large amount every month. But increasing the SIP gradually each year can feel more manageable.
For example, a monthly SIP of ₹25,150 may seem achievable for some investors at age 40. Increasing it by 10% every year means the contribution grows in line with career progress, income growth, or improved financial stability.
Over a long period, this small yearly increase can create a substantial impact on the final corpus. That is because the later contributions also get time to compound, even if for a shorter duration than the early ones.
Read More: Step Up SIP Calculator: SIP of ₹11,500 a Month Can Grow to More Than ₹10 Crore!
Starting investment at 40 does not mean the door to a large retirement corpus is closed. This example shows that a ₹25,150 monthly SIP, combined with a 10% yearly step up and an assumed 12% annualised return over 20 years, can potentially grow to around ₹5 crore.
The key takeaway is simple. The starting SIP matters, but the annual increase matters just as much. A step-up SIP calculator helps bring this into focus by showing how disciplined investing and rising contributions can shape long term outcomes in a meaningful way.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities or companies mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation or investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.
Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme-related documents carefully.
Published on: Mar 31, 2026, 9:15 AM IST

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