Recent discussions, like a certain viral piece floating around, have stirred debate by suggesting a ₹70 lakh annual salary in India’s metro cities barely sustains a middle-class lifestyle. For TheBrink’s readers, we cut through the noise with a data-driven exposé, revealing the real financial dynamics of urban India’s high earners.

A deepening financial vulnerability leaving millions of Americans on the edge of economic ruin when faced with sudden expenses like medical bills, car repairs, or home maintenance. Even more alarming, 37% of respondents cited inflation and rising prices as their primary financial challenge, a record high compared to 35% in 2023, 33% in 2022, and just 8% in 2016.

You’re 45, at the peak of your career, only to be told your expertise is "outdated," your salary is "too high," and your role is no longer "essential." Welcome to the shocking new reality in corporate India, where the retirement age isn’t creeping up—it’s crashing down. This isn’t a choice; it’s a corporate push, driven by cost-cutting, automation, and a relentless chase for younger, cheaper talent. But what happens when millions of seasoned professionals are forced out ear