India’s salaried class is entering 2026 with steady pay slips but growing financial pressure. Higher living costs, shifting labour laws, rising debt and longer life spans are quietly changing how money
behaves for millions of households. Old comfort rules around savings, spending and salary structures are no longer enough.
Wage Reset and the Consumption Squeeze
Vibhore Goyal, Founder of OneBanc, points to the upcoming impact of the new labour codes. As companies realign salaries to the 50 percent wage definition, many professionals will see a dip in take-home pay. For someone earning around Rs 25 lakh a year, this could mean nearly Rs 8,000 less every month.
This may not feel dramatic, but it changes behaviour. Spending becomes cautious. Discretionary expenses like dining out, gadgets or weekend shopping are the first to go. Goyal warns this could weaken consumption demand further, at a time when consumer-facing sectors are already seeing softness.
He also flags a second risk. With less money left to invest, some individuals may chase higher returns through riskier products, stretching an already fragile risk culture. On the corporate side, companies will need to rework payroll systems, often running parallel structures for weeks, adding short-term friction for employees.
Why Old Money Rules Are Failing
Nehal Gupta, Founder and Managing Director of Accelerated Money For U, believes the bigger issue is mindset. Traditional approaches built around fixed deposits and insurance-heavy planning are falling short. Inflation, lifestyle upgrades, education costs and healthcare expenses are rising faster than many savings plans can handle.
With easy digital access to investments, Gupta says salaried Indians now need better discipline. Diversification, emergency funds, sensible debt and long-term investing must replace outdated thumb rules.
Savings Gaps and Rising Debt
Nitesh Upadhyay, Co-Founder and Director at Tredo, highlights worrying trends. A large section of salaried employees save less than 20 percent of their income, and many have no emergency fund at all. At the same time, credit cards and personal loans are becoming common, delaying wealth creation and increasing stress.
He notes that reliance on basic EPF and NPS contributions may not be enough for retirement.
Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
