Financial Quotient

What is decumulation?

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Decumulation refers to the period in life when one shifts from accumulating assets to relying on savings, investments and other retirement tools for income. The topic is likely to gain significant attention in the coming years as more people enter this phase of their investing lives.

As the global population ages, the number of people entering or approaching retirement is growing at a rapid pace. This is leading to a major shift in focus from accumulation and savings to decumulation and income.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on November 10, 2019, with the headline What is decumulation?. Subscribe