I'm a 22 year old student. I want a corpus of 15 crores in the next 25 - 30 years. How much monthly SIP should I do to get this sum?

Ans: Firstly, it’s fantastic that you’re thinking long-term about your financial future at just 22. Setting a goal like Rs 15 crores in 25-30 years is ambitious, but with discipline and the right strategy, it’s definitely achievable.

You're already on the right path by considering Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs). SIPs are a great tool for long-term wealth creation, as they allow you to invest regularly and benefit from compounding.

Let’s break down the steps required to meet your goal and how much you need to invest every month.

Factors to Consider for Achieving Rs 15 Crores
Achieving your goal will depend on several factors:

Investment Horizon: Since you have a timeline of 25-30 years, your investments will have time to grow and compound.

Expected Rate of Return: For equity-based SIPs, a long-term average return between 10% to 12% per annum is realistic.

Inflation Impact: Over such a long period, inflation can affect the purchasing power of your corpus. Keep that in mind as you plan your SIP.

With these factors in mind, we will now calculate the approximate monthly SIP required.

How Much SIP to Invest?
Since your goal is Rs 15 crores over 25-30 years, the monthly SIP amount will vary depending on the expected rate of return. Let’s break this into simple steps:

Assume a Rate of Return: For equity mutual funds, a conservative estimate of 12% per annum is reasonable over the long term. However, it’s important to review this regularly.

Investment Timeframe: You have a long-term horizon of 25 to 30 years, which is ideal for achieving large financial goals.

Based on these assumptions, here's an approximate guide to how much you may need to invest monthly:

For 25 years: To accumulate Rs 15 crores in 25 years at a 12% return, you may need to start with an SIP of Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000 per month.

For 30 years: With a 30-year timeline and 12% return, your required SIP would reduce slightly to around Rs 18,000 to Rs 25,000 per month.

These figures are approximate, and you may adjust them based on your risk appetite and the performance of the funds you choose.

The Importance of Staying Consistent
Consistency is key to reaching your financial goal. Regularly investing in SIPs helps in the following ways:

Power of Compounding: As your investments grow, the returns themselves start generating more returns. This compounding effect will help you reach Rs 15 crores over time.

Market Volatility: SIPs allow you to invest regularly, no matter whether the market is high or low. Over time, this helps average out the cost of your investments.

Why Actively Managed Funds Matter
While some investors may suggest index funds, it's important to understand that index funds only mirror market performance and don’t aim to outperform the market. Actively managed funds, on the other hand, have the potential to generate higher returns through active management by experienced fund managers.

Benefits of actively managed funds include:

Professional Management: Actively managed funds have dedicated fund managers who make investment decisions based on research and market conditions. This can lead to better performance, especially during volatile times.

Flexibility: Fund managers in actively managed funds can adjust the portfolio to better align with market opportunities, while index funds are tied to a specific market index, limiting flexibility.

For a long-term goal like yours, opting for actively managed funds through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) ensures that you have the expertise to guide you in selecting the best funds.

Why Regular Funds Are a Better Choice Than Direct Funds
Some investors might suggest investing in direct mutual funds, but for someone starting out, regular funds through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) might be a better choice. Here’s why:

Expert Advice: A CFP provides ongoing advice and helps you select the right funds based on your goals and risk profile. With direct funds, you’ll need to do all the research and monitoring yourself, which can be overwhelming.

Portfolio Monitoring: A CFP will regularly review your portfolio to ensure it stays aligned with your goals and make adjustments as needed. This professional oversight can improve your investment performance over time.

Convenience: Managing your own direct funds requires a significant time commitment to monitor markets, fund performance, and make decisions. Regular funds give you peace of mind knowing an expert is managing your portfolio.

The Importance of Regular Reviews
While SIPs are a “set and forget” strategy to some extent, regular reviews are still important. Every year or two, sit down with your Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to assess your progress.

Reasons to review your investments include:

Adjusting for Life Changes: Over time, your financial goals may change. You may need to adjust your SIP contributions, especially if you receive a salary increase or bonus.

Fund Performance: Ensure that the funds you’re invested in continue to perform well over the long term. If a particular fund is underperforming, your CFP can guide you in switching to a better one.

Rebalancing: As you grow older, you may want to shift part of your portfolio to more conservative investments. This can be done gradually, and regular reviews help you stay on track.

Risk Management Over the Long Term
Investing in SIPs, particularly in equity mutual funds, involves some level of risk, especially in the short term. However, given your long-term horizon of 25-30 years, short-term volatility should not deter you.

Key points on risk management:

Start Early, Stay Long: Starting SIPs at age 22 gives you an enormous advantage. The longer your money is invested, the more it benefits from compounding.

Focus on Equity Funds: For long-term goals like yours, equity mutual funds tend to offer the highest potential for growth. Diversifying your SIPs across large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap equity funds can help manage risks.

Avoid Emotional Decisions: Over 25-30 years, there will be times when the market declines. During such periods, avoid making emotional decisions like stopping your SIP or redeeming your funds. Instead, continue your investments, as markets tend to recover over time.

Final Insights
You are already ahead of the curve by planning for your future at just 22 years old. Achieving a corpus of Rs 15 crores over the next 25-30 years is a significant goal, but it’s achievable with a disciplined approach to SIPs and smart fund selection.

Here’s a summary of what you should focus on:

Start your SIPs as soon as possible, aiming for Rs 18,000 to Rs 35,000 per month depending on your time horizon.

Stick with actively managed funds through a Certified Financial Planner for the potential to outperform the market.

Avoid the temptation to switch to direct funds, as regular funds provide professional management and ongoing advice.

Be consistent with your SIPs, even during market downturns. Long-term growth will come from staying invested.

Review your portfolio every year or two to ensure it remains aligned with your goals.

With the right plan and a commitment to regular investments, you will be well on your way to building a corpus of Rs 15 crores in the next 25-30 years. Best of luck!

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment