INVESTMENT AVENUES

Equity: Traditionally discouraged as a retirement planning tool, it could give your investments a boost if you start early.
Insurance: This one is popularly used for retirement planning. Experts say it should only be used as a risk cover, and not as an investment tool.
Provident Fund and Public Provident Fund: The all-time favorite option. Our grandfathers believed in these low-risk schemes implicitly.
Fixed deposits: Safe and secure, but may cower under inflation with their low returns.
Mutual funds: Preferable one, this. There are the professionals whose experience and expertise will come handy.
Property: Totally ever-appreciating asset in the long run, especially with the real estate boom.

Small catch: the liquidity concern. Not everyone has money on hand to invest.