Dear Roopashreeji
I have developed a bald circle on the top of my head, male pattern baldness.
I need a remedy to cure this.
Thank you.
Abhishek

Ans: Hello;

Yes you need to update the insurance company about the changed health status well before renewal.

The company may request for some tests and if they deem okay then may cover you with some additional premium and some waiting period, depending on the illness.

Best wishes;

Ans: Hello;

You can apply for duplicate policy certificates from LIC by the process laid down for the same.

It is quite cumbersome so better would be if you can search and find policy certificates at your home or agent office.

The agent seems to have provided you with incorrect information.

You are entitled to receive sum assured under the life insurance policies taken for your late father.

Best wishes;

Ans: Hi.. The first step is to decide in your mind whether you want mild changes or s drastic change.
2nd step is to discuss with the specialist whether a drastic change is possible or not and how would it look. ( A plastic surgeon may be best suited for this job).
After this you can decide.
On the otherside, if there are a lot of loose skin and you do only minimal change by non invasive method, you may not be satisfied with the results.

So a good thought should go into it and good and candid discussion with ur doctor is required

Ans: Hello;

FD and SCSS have fixed tenure after which they are susceptible to renewal at lower interest rates.

Therefore it will be better to buy an immediate annuity for corpus of 12 L with option joint annuity(both father and mother) for life with return of purchase price to nominee (yourself).

If you want to execute this option then would appeal you to be quick because interest cut is on the horizon and it may impact annuity rate being offered by the insurer.

Best wishes;

Ans: Hello;

The feedback given by your current employer is absolutely correct.

You have withdrawn EPF & EPS from earlier job and then worked in an organisation where EPF was not applicable so no way that period can be put on service record for EPS purpose.

There is nothing you can do about it.

Best wishes;

Ans: Hello;

Your current monthly income need of 2.4 L will grow up to 12.27 L after 28 years (At your retirement age of 60) considering 6% inflation.

Assuming your expenses at retirement will reduce so you may need 75% of this income to cover your expenses at that time therefore you may need a monthly income of 9.2 L.

To generate this income you may need a corpus of 27 Cr(Min.) at the age 60 that may generate post-tax monthly income of around 9.2 L.

Your investments will grow as follows,

1. PPF: 1.5 L per person per year for 35 years will grow into a corpus of around 4.32 Cr. (6.9% return assumed)

2. LIC: policy maturity proceeds will provide 2 Cr at age 60.

3. NPS: 1 L per person per year may grow into a sum of 2.5 Cr at 60.(8% return considered)

4. MF sip of 10 K may grow into a sum of 2.05 Cr at 60. (10% return considered)

5. FD of 36 L will grow into a sum of 2.1 Cr if held till 60. (6.5% return assumed)

6. Gold in form of bonds if reinvested into gold mutual funds and held till 60 may yield a corpus of around 1.1 Cr. (7% return assumed)

7. Inherited funds if held in FD till the age of 60 may yield a corpus of 9.9 Cr.
(6.5% return considered)

8. EPF is expected to grow into a sum of around 1.8 Cr at the age of 60.(7% return considered)

A summation of investment values at 60 indicates a sum of around 25.77 Cr thereby hinting at a gap of around 1.23 Cr.

You may begin another monthly sip of 7 K now which may grow into a sum of around 1.3 Cr by 60 age.(10% return assumed)

If the mediclaim policy is from employer, do buy a personal health care cover after 50-55 for your family for post retirement needs.

I presume you both have adequate term life insurance cover apart from LIC policy.

The financial goal for your kid's education and family expansion, if any, is not factored here. You may need to plan for it suitably.

Also it appears that your allocation to equity is quite low, may be due to limited risk appetite but you have time on your side and although short to medium term(5-7 yr) equity asset class may be impacted due to volatility but over a long-term(10 yr+) they have demonstrated good inflation adjusted returns so may be you may consider to increase allocation through hybrid funds suiting your risk appetite.

Happy Investing;
X: @mars_invest

Ans: Start by creating opportunities for meaningful interaction. Sometimes the daily routines and responsibilities can create emotional walls, so finding a calm and positive environment for conversation is key. You might begin by sharing your feelings in a way that emphasizes your own experience rather than pointing out what your partner might not be doing. For example, saying something like, "I've been feeling a little disconnected lately, and I miss the closeness we used to share," opens the door for dialogue without sounding accusatory.

Rekindling intimacy often starts with small, intentional efforts to reestablish connection. This might mean setting aside time for each other, even if it’s just a few minutes of uninterrupted conversation at the end of the day. Look for moments to express appreciation for your partner, as this can help rebuild emotional warmth and remind them of the value they bring to your life.

It’s also worth reflecting on whether external stresses might be contributing to the distance. If either of you has been overwhelmed by work, family, or personal challenges, addressing those together can foster a sense of partnership and mutual support. Similarly, revisiting shared memories or engaging in activities you used to enjoy together can help reignite the bond you once had.

Lastly, be patient and consistent. Emotional intimacy doesn’t always come back instantly, but with genuine effort, kindness, and an open heart, you can rebuild the connection over time. Consider it a journey you’re embarking on together, rather than something you need to fix alone. If you feel like external guidance might help, discussing this with a couples therapist could provide both of you with tools to strengthen your relationship in a supportive environment.

Ans: I’m truly sorry to hear about the immense stress you're facing. It’s essential to know that this situation, though overwhelming, can be resolved with the right steps. Your life is precious, and there are people and strategies to help you regain control over your finances and emotional well-being.

Here’s a step-by-step approach to help you:

1. Immediate Steps to Address Emotional Distress
Reach Out to Trusted People: Speak to a close friend, family member, or counselor about how you’re feeling. Sharing your worries can help lighten the burden.

Professional Support: Consider consulting a psychologist or counselor to address feelings of despair. They can guide you in coping and finding hope.

Suicide Helplines: Helplines like AASRA are available 24/7 in India. They provide non-judgmental support and advice.

2. Stop Taking Additional Loans
Taking more loans will only worsen the debt cycle. Communicate with your lenders honestly and explain your current situation.

Avoid making further financial commitments until a proper repayment plan is in place.

3. Evaluate and Consolidate Existing Loans
Make a List of All Loans: Note down the principal, interest rates, and EMI for each loan.

Debt Consolidation: If possible, consolidate your loans into one with a lower interest rate. This will simplify repayments and reduce the interest burden.

Negotiate with Lenders: Speak to your lenders about restructuring your loans. Many financial institutions are willing to renegotiate terms if they see genuine repayment intent.

4. Cut Down on Unnecessary Expenses
Focus only on essential expenses like food, utilities, and basic needs.

Avoid luxury spending or non-essential purchases until you regain financial stability.

5. Seek Employment or Alternate Income
Explore freelance, part-time, or full-time opportunities that align with your skills.

Start small businesses or use your talents to generate income, even if it's modest initially.

6. Engage with a Certified Financial Planner
A Certified Financial Planner can help create a practical repayment plan and optimise your resources. They can also guide you on managing money better in the future.
7. Prioritise Loan Repayment
Begin repaying high-interest loans first to reduce the overall burden.

Use any additional income to make systematic repayments.

8. Build a Support System
Inform your close family or friends about your financial situation. Their understanding and support can help you through this tough time.

Avoid isolation. Regular interactions with loved ones can provide emotional strength.

Final Thoughts
This phase is challenging, but it’s not permanent. Every problem has a solution, and with the right support and plan, you can overcome this.

Your life and well-being are far more valuable than any financial stress. You are not alone, and help is available. Let’s take this one step at a time, and I assure you, there’s a brighter path ahead.

If you’d like, I can assist you further in creating a repayment strategy or exploring additional income options. Please let me know how I can help.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

Ans: You have diligently built a robust and diversified portfolio. It includes fixed deposits, mutual funds, real estate, and insurance plans. You also have various annuity and pension products. Your current financial situation showcases foresight and discipline.

However, to ensure your monthly income meets your needs and grows with inflation, some restructuring is necessary. Let’s evaluate your assets and income streams in detail and suggest ways to optimise them.

Existing Income Sources and Expenses

Current Income

LIC Jeevan Suraksha Plan: Rs. 7,021 per month (lifetime income).

LIC Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY): Annual income of Rs. 77,979 till 2032.

New Jeevan Shanti Plan: Monthly income of Rs. 36,450 from 2027 (lifetime for self and wife).

Interest Income: From fixed deposits and dividends from shares.

Current Expenses

Household expenses: Rs. 30,000 per month.

Insurance premiums: Rs. 3,51,000 annually until 2026.

Health insurance: Rs. 45,000 per year.

Asset Analysis

Fixed Deposits

Current Value: Rs. 1.2 crore.

Analysis: While secure, FD returns are low and may not keep pace with inflation. Only retain a portion for emergencies.

Public Provident Fund (PPF)

Current Value: Rs. 66 lakh.

Analysis: PPF offers tax-free and risk-free returns. Continue extending it as a safe long-term investment.

National Pension Scheme (NPS)

Current Value: Rs. 14 lakh.

Analysis: NPS has market exposure, offering potential growth. Partial withdrawal for reinvestment can be considered post-retirement.

Employee Provident Fund (EPF)

Current Value: Rs. 1 lakh.

Analysis: Withdraw and reinvest for higher returns.

Shares Portfolio

Current Value: Rs. 44 lakh.

Analysis: A few stocks are performing, while others are stagnant. Retain fundamentally strong stocks. Sell non-performing ones and reinvest proceeds.

Mutual Funds

Current Value: Rs. 90 lakh.

Analysis: Growth plans are suitable for long-term wealth creation. However, evaluate and streamline the portfolio with the help of a Certified Financial Planner.

Real Estate

Flat: Rs. 86 lakh (self-occupied).

Plot: Value not mentioned.

Analysis: These assets provide stability but do not generate regular income. Retain them as non-liquid investments.

Insurance Plans

TATA ULIP: Current value of Rs. 57 lakh, matures in 2027.

Recommendation: Surrender post-2026 and reinvest in mutual funds for better returns.

TATA AIA Fortune Guarantee Pension: Annual payout of Rs. 1,07,000 from 2028.

Recommendation: Retain as a fixed income source.

Aditya Birla Guaranteed Milestone Plan: Payout of Rs. 8.94 lakh in 2031.

Recommendation: Retain until maturity. Avoid similar plans in future.

Recommendations to Enhance Income

1. Restructure Fixed Deposits

Retain Rs. 30 lakh as emergency funds in liquid FDs.

Reallocate Rs. 90 lakh into debt mutual funds for better post-tax returns. Choose funds with low risk and stable performance.

2. Optimise Shares Portfolio

Retain strong-performing stocks. These can provide growth over the long term.

Liquidate underperforming stocks and reinvest proceeds into equity mutual funds. Select funds aligned with your risk tolerance.

3. Streamline Mutual Funds Portfolio

Review your existing funds to avoid duplication and underperformance.

Retain well-performing funds and shift others to actively managed diversified funds.

Opt for regular funds through a Certified Financial Planner for professional advice and monitoring.

4. PPF and NPS

Continue extending PPF for tax-free returns.

Do not withdraw from NPS until it’s mandated. Allocate the lumpsum received wisely at maturity.

5. Insurance Plan Adjustments

Allow the TATA ULIP to mature and surrender it in 2027.

Retain the TATA AIA and Aditya Birla plans until maturity as fixed income sources.

Avoid high-premium insurance plans in future.

6. Increase Monthly Income

From 2027 onwards, New Jeevan Shanti and other payouts will provide substantial monthly income.

Until then, use dividends, interest from debt mutual funds, and systematic withdrawals from mutual funds for supplementary income.

7. Plan for Inflation

Maintain a mix of equity and debt investments to beat inflation.

Ensure equity exposure is at least 40% of your portfolio for long-term growth.

8. Health Insurance Adequacy

Current health insurance of Rs. 8 lakh with a Rs. 5 lakh super top-up is reasonable.

Review coverage every 2-3 years and increase if necessary.

Final Insights

Your financial portfolio is solid and well-diversified. With minor adjustments, it can provide inflation-adjusted income. Focus on reallocating underperforming assets and streamlining investments. Regular reviews will ensure your wealth grows while meeting your needs.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment