I have 10 lakhs surplus money.Which MF is best for park the money for five years.

Ans: Appreciate your proactive step in planning with Rs 10 lakhs surplus.
Five years is a decent timeframe.
It gives room for growth and some risk tolerance.

Let’s now evaluate your best mutual fund options.

? Understand the Purpose of the Investment

– You are not seeking liquidity like in 6 months.
– You are also not locking in for 10 years.
– Five years needs a balance of growth and safety.
– You don’t want extreme volatility.
– You also don’t want low returns like FDs.
– A professionally managed mutual fund is ideal here.

? Why Mutual Funds Fit Well for Five Years

– Mutual funds offer diversification.
– Your money gets professional management.
– You can aim for better than FD returns.
– There are various fund types to match your goals.
– You can withdraw partially if needed.

? Avoid These Options

– Avoid real estate. Too illiquid. High costs.
– Avoid direct stocks. Too risky for mid-term.
– Don’t keep in savings or FDs. Low returns.
– Avoid ULIPs. Lock-ins and poor flexibility.
– Avoid insurance-linked products. Not suitable for investments.

? Types of Mutual Funds to Consider

You need a hybrid of safety and returns.

Choose from the below mutual fund categories.

Select based on your exact risk appetite.

? Conservative Hybrid Funds

– Mix of 75-90% debt and rest equity.
– Less risky than equity-oriented funds.
– Better than FDs and RDs over 5 years.
– Suitable if your risk appetite is low.
– Downside is capped, but so is the upside.

? Balanced Advantage Funds

– These are dynamically managed.
– Adjust equity and debt automatically.
– Can handle market ups and downs.
– Suitable for moderate risk takers.
– Good for hands-off investors.

? Equity Savings Funds

– Combination of arbitrage, equity, and debt.
– Taxed like equity mutual funds.
– More stable than pure equity funds.
– Ideal for people looking for lower volatility.

? Multi Asset Funds

– These invest in equity, debt, and gold.
– Provides natural diversification.
– Suitable if you want to beat inflation.
– Gold can act as a cushion during market falls.

? Aggressive Hybrid Funds (If you can take higher risk)

– 65-80% in equity, rest in debt.
– Higher return potential.
– Moderate to high volatility.
– Suitable if you can tolerate equity fluctuations.

? Disadvantages of Index Funds (if you were considering)

– Index funds lack active fund manager’s expertise.
– They don’t protect you during market crashes.
– You get returns only as good or bad as the index.
– Not ideal in sideways or falling markets.
– Not suitable when you seek better than average returns.

? Why Avoid Direct Mutual Funds

– Direct funds don’t come with expert guidance.
– You miss out on portfolio reviews and advice.
– Errors in self-selection can lead to loss.
– Regular funds through a CFP give personalised service.
– Long-term value outweighs slightly lower expense ratio.

? Importance of Choosing Right Regular Mutual Fund

– Choose based on your risk profile.
– Use an experienced Certified Financial Planner (CFP).
– Avoid choosing based on past returns only.
– Understand fund philosophy, consistency, and fund manager’s strategy.
– Regular plans help align to your life goals.

? How to Allocate the Rs 10 Lakhs

– Don’t put all in one fund.
– Divide across 2 or 3 types.
– If you are conservative:

Rs 4L in Conservative Hybrid Fund

Rs 3L in Balanced Advantage Fund

Rs 3L in Multi Asset Fund
– If moderate:

Rs 5L in Balanced Advantage Fund

Rs 3L in Aggressive Hybrid Fund

Rs 2L in Equity Savings Fund
– If aggressive:

Rs 6L in Aggressive Hybrid Fund

Rs 2L in Balanced Advantage Fund

Rs 2L in Multi Asset Fund

? Invest Through SIP or Lump Sum?

– Market is unpredictable in short-term.
– You can stagger your Rs 10L in 3–6 months.
– Use STP from Liquid Fund if needed.
– This smoothens entry into equity-based funds.

? Review After Two Years

– Track fund performance every year.
– Consult your CFP every 12 months.
– You may switch funds if goals change.
– Rebalance if any category underperforms.

? Tax Implications You Must Know

– Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG) taxed at 20%.
– Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) taxed at 12.5% above Rs 1.25L.
– For hybrid funds treated as equity, same rules apply.
– You can do tax harvesting to save LTCG tax.
– Redeem in phases to stay below the tax limit.

? Emergency Preparedness Matters Too

– Don’t invest entire surplus.
– Keep Rs 1L–Rs 2L in liquid fund or sweep-in account.
– This gives you cushion for emergencies.
– Helps avoid breaking your 5-year plan.

? Stay Away From These Traps

– Don’t choose funds only by star rating.
– Avoid NFOs with glossy brochures.
– Don’t chase last 1-year returns.
– Never mix insurance with investment.
– Don’t redeem in panic during market falls.

? Role of a Certified Financial Planner

– Helps match fund with your goal.
– Gives clarity on risks and rewards.
– Guides on tax optimisation.
– Helps in portfolio review and rebalancing.
– Keeps emotions away from investment decisions.

? Finally

– Rs 10 lakhs for 5 years is a great opportunity.
– Don’t waste it in low-return options.
– Choose suitable hybrid or multi-asset mutual funds.
– Split allocation based on your risk appetite.
– Avoid direct and index fund routes.
– Take expert help for fund selection and review.
– Stay committed to the full five-year term.
– This will give better than FD returns with manageable risk.

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