Passive investing is an investment strategy that involves minimizing buying and selling activities, aiming to achieve returns comparable to a specific market index. Here are key points to understand about passive investing in the context of personal finance, particularly for investing and retirement planning:

1. Index Funds and ETFs: Passive investors often use index funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track a particular market index. These funds provide broad market exposure and are known for their low fees.

2. Diversification: Passive investing promotes diversification by providing exposure to a wide range of stocks or bonds within an index. Diversification helps spread risk and can contribute to a more stable portfolio.

3. Cost-Effective: Passive investing typically involves lower costs compared to active investing. Index funds and ETFs have lower expense ratios, as they don't require active management decisions.

4. Market Efficiency: Passive investing is based on the belief in market efficiency, assuming that prices already reflect all available information. As a result, attempting to consistently outperform the market through active trading is viewed as challenging.

5. Long-Term Focus: Passive investors often adopt a long-term perspective, aligning with the principles of buy-and-hold investing. This approach is well-suited for individuals planning for retirement, as it minimizes the impact of short-term market fluctuations.

6. Reduced Emotional Stress: Passive investing reduces the need for frequent decision-making and market timing, which can contribute to emotional stress. This approach is especially beneficial for investors who prefer a more hands-off and less stressful investment experience.

7. Historical Performance: While past performance is not indicative of future results, historical data has shown that passive investing has outperformed many actively managed funds over the long term, especially when considering fees and expenses.

8. Rebalancing: Periodic portfolio rebalancing may be necessary to maintain the desired asset allocation. Rebalancing ensures that the portfolio aligns with the investor's risk tolerance and long-term goals.

9. Tax Efficiency: Passive investing can be tax-efficient as it typically involves lower turnover. This can result in fewer capital gains distributions, potentially reducing tax implications for investors.

10. Educational Resources: Before engaging in passive investing, individuals should educate themselves on the specific index or market they are tracking. Understanding the composition and methodology of the chosen index is crucial for informed decision-making.

Remember that while passive investing offers advantages, it's important for investors to assess their own financial goals, risk tolerance, and preferences. Additionally, diversification does not guarantee profits or protect against losses, and market conditions can impact investment returns.