Home > Money > Question
Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7367 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 16, 2024

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 23 years of experience in mutual funds and financial planning.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of Madras and is a certified financial planner.
He is the director and chief financial planner at Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based firm that offers financial planning and wealth management advice.... more
Asked by Anonymous - May 09, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money

Hi, I have 1cr corpus 2 lakhs in my ppf, 1lakh in MF, 6 lakhs in stocks. Earning 1.3 lakhs pm. Can i retire by investing rightly please advise ? I need 1 lakh a month for expenses.

Ans: It's great that you're considering retirement planning. Let's analyze your current financial situation and explore whether your investments can support your retirement goals.

Understanding Your Assets
Corpus Allocation: Your corpus of 1 crore is a valuable asset that can potentially generate passive income to support your retirement.
PPF and MF Investments: Your investments in PPF and mutual funds provide a mix of stability and growth potential, contributing to your overall financial portfolio.
Stock Investments: Holding 6 lakhs in stocks offers the opportunity for capital appreciation and dividend income, albeit with some level of risk.
Evaluating Retirement Readiness
Monthly Income: With an earning of 1.3 lakhs per month, you have a substantial income stream that can contribute to your retirement savings.
Expense Requirements: Your monthly expense target of 1 lakh is crucial in determining how much you'll need from your investments to sustain your retirement lifestyle.
Retirement Investment Strategy
Income Generation: Focus on building a diversified investment portfolio that generates regular income to cover your monthly expenses.
Asset Allocation: Consider reallocating your assets to achieve a balanced mix of income-generating investments such as fixed deposits, dividend-paying stocks, and bonds.
Risk Management: Assess and manage the risk associated with your investments to ensure steady income streams during retirement.
Retirement Income Sources
Passive Income: Explore avenues to generate passive income from your investments, including rental income from real estate, dividends from stocks, and interest from fixed deposits.
Annuity Plans: Annuity plans can provide guaranteed income during retirement, offering stability and peace of mind.
Financial Planning Recommendations
Comprehensive Retirement Plan: Consult with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to develop a personalized retirement plan tailored to your financial goals and risk tolerance.
Regular Reviews: Periodically review and adjust your retirement plan based on changes in your financial situation, market conditions, and retirement goals.
Emergency Fund: Maintain an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses and contingencies during retirement.
Conclusion
While your current investments provide a solid foundation for retirement, it's essential to develop a comprehensive retirement plan that addresses your income needs, risk tolerance, and long-term financial goals. By investing wisely and seeking professional guidance, you can work towards achieving a financially secure and fulfilling retirement.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.
Money

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7367 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 23, 2024

Listen
Money
Hello Sir. I am 42 years old.my monthly earning rs.95000.I am investing 40,000 per month from July,24 in mutual funds and 5L in lumsump MF in ICICI prudential energy opportunities fund.rs.24000 in RD in bank.Currently corpus is 25L in ppf, 25L in PF,20L in FD ,45L in LIc.i have one son age 8 yrs.i have own car, bike. I have parental house.If I have to retire at the age of 60 and require monthly 5 lakhs, is it possible, and if yes, what should be my strategy?
Ans: Current Financial Situation
You have a stable monthly income of Rs. 95,000.

You invest Rs. 40,000 per month in mutual funds since July 2024.

You have invested Rs. 5 lakhs in a lump sum mutual fund.

You save Rs. 24,000 monthly in a recurring deposit.

Your corpus includes:

Rs. 25 lakhs in PPF
Rs. 25 lakhs in PF
Rs. 20 lakhs in FD
Rs. 45 lakhs in LIC
You have an 8-year-old son.

You own a car, a bike, and have a parental house.

Goal: Retirement at 60
You wish to retire at 60 and need Rs. 5 lakhs monthly post-retirement.

Analysis of Current Investments
Your current investments are diversified:

Mutual funds for growth
PPF and PF for safety
FD for liquidity
LIC for insurance and savings
This is a balanced approach. However, to meet your goal, adjustments are needed.

Mutual Funds
Continue with mutual funds for growth. They provide higher returns over time. Consider diversifying into large-cap, mid-cap, and balanced funds. This reduces risk and ensures steady growth.

Recurring Deposit
Recurring deposits offer fixed returns. However, they are less effective for long-term growth. You might consider redirecting some RD funds into equity mutual funds. This can potentially provide better returns.

PPF and PF
These are excellent for long-term safety. They provide tax benefits and guaranteed returns. Continue these for stability and safety in your portfolio.

Fixed Deposits
FDs provide liquidity but offer lower returns. Consider reallocating some funds into more growth-oriented investments. This can help in building a larger retirement corpus.

LIC Policies
LIC policies often offer lower returns compared to mutual funds. Consider reviewing your policies. If they are investment-cum-insurance, think about surrendering and investing in mutual funds. Use a term insurance plan for pure risk cover.

Lump Sum Investment
Your lump sum investment in a sector-specific fund is high risk. Consider diversifying into diversified equity funds. This reduces risk and ensures better long-term growth.

Strategy for Achieving Retirement Goal
Increase SIP Contributions
Increase your monthly SIP contributions. Aim for at least 50% of your monthly income. This ensures a larger corpus over time.

Diversify Investments
Diversify across various mutual funds. Include large-cap, mid-cap, and balanced funds. This spreads risk and maximizes returns.

Regular Review and Rebalancing
Review your portfolio every six months. Rebalance to maintain the desired asset allocation. This helps in staying aligned with your goals.

Emergency Fund
Maintain an emergency fund of at least 6 months of expenses. Park this in liquid funds for easy access. This ensures financial stability during emergencies.

Retirement Planning
Start planning for retirement expenses. Consider inflation and rising costs. Use retirement calculators to estimate the required corpus. Adjust your investments accordingly.

Professional Guidance
Seek advice from a Certified Financial Planner. They can provide tailored strategies. A CFP ensures your investments are aligned with your retirement goals.

Final Insights
Your current investments are on the right track.

Increase your SIP contributions for better growth.

Diversify your mutual fund investments.

Review and rebalance your portfolio regularly.

Seek professional guidance for a tailored approach.

With disciplined investing, achieving your retirement goal is possible.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7367 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 13, 2024

Listen
Money
Dear sir, I’m 32 years old earning 1.5 lakhs pm. I will have a sum of 1.2 cr including investments in mutual funds, ppf, stocks and crypto. I’m a bachelor. Can I retire comfortably? Regards.
Ans: Assessing Your Retirement Readiness
Retirement planning is a crucial step, especially when you have specific financial goals in mind. You are 32 years old, earning Rs. 1.5 lakh per month, and have accumulated Rs. 1.2 crore in investments. As a bachelor, your financial needs might be different compared to someone with dependents, but planning ahead is still essential.

Understanding Your Financial Position
Current Income: Rs. 1.5 lakh per month provides you with a solid base to save and invest.
Investment Portfolio: You have diversified investments across mutual funds, PPF, stocks, and crypto.
Age Factor: At 32, you have a significant time horizon before retirement, allowing your investments to grow.
Key Considerations for Retirement Planning
Lifestyle and Expenses
Your retirement comfort depends largely on your desired lifestyle and future expenses. If you plan to maintain your current lifestyle, estimate your monthly expenses, including inflation. For example, if your current monthly expense is Rs. 50,000, factor in annual inflation of around 6-7%.

Inflation Impact
Inflation erodes purchasing power over time. Even with a conservative estimate, the cost of living could double in 15-20 years. Ensuring that your investments grow at a rate higher than inflation is critical to maintaining your standard of living in retirement.

Evaluating Your Investment Portfolio
Mutual Funds
Mutual funds are an excellent way to build long-term wealth, especially through equity-oriented funds. Consider allocating more to diversified equity funds, which can offer higher returns over the long term.

Public Provident Fund (PPF)
PPF is a safe, long-term investment with tax benefits. However, the returns are relatively lower compared to equity. It's a good component for stability in your portfolio but shouldn't be the sole investment.

Stocks and Cryptocurrencies
Stocks can offer substantial returns, but they come with higher risks. Cryptocurrency is even more volatile and should be a small portion of your portfolio. These investments can contribute to significant growth, but they require careful management and periodic review.

Estimating Retirement Corpus
To retire comfortably, you need to calculate your retirement corpus, which should be sufficient to cover your expenses throughout your retirement years.

Target Corpus: A general rule is to aim for a corpus that is 20-25 times your annual expenses at retirement.
Monthly Investments: Based on your current savings and the time horizon, you might need to increase your monthly investments to achieve your retirement goal.
Strategic Investment Planning
Increase SIPs in Mutual Funds
Given your current income and savings, increasing your monthly SIPs (Systematic Investment Plans) in mutual funds is advisable. Consider a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and multi-cap funds to balance risk and return.

Long-Term Equity Investment
Equity should form a significant part of your portfolio given your age and risk appetite. Diversify your equity investments across sectors and market capitalizations to reduce risk.

Debt and Safe Investments
Allocate a portion of your portfolio to safer instruments like PPF, FDs, or debt mutual funds to provide stability. This will act as a cushion during market downturns.

Considering Retirement Age and Goals
Retirement Age: Deciding your retirement age is crucial. If you plan to retire early, say at 50, you will need a larger corpus.
Post-Retirement Goals: Think about your post-retirement goals. Whether it’s traveling, pursuing hobbies, or starting a small business, these will influence your financial needs.
Health Insurance and Contingency Fund
Ensure you have adequate health insurance coverage and a contingency fund to cover unexpected expenses. This will protect your retirement corpus from being depleted by unforeseen circumstances.

Regular Review and Rebalancing
Review your portfolio regularly and rebalance it according to market conditions and your changing needs. Staying informed and making necessary adjustments will help in achieving your retirement goals.

Final Insights
Given your current financial situation and income, it’s possible to retire comfortably. However, it requires disciplined saving and strategic investing. Regularly monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7367 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Oct 07, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Oct 06, 2024Hindi
Money
Hi I am male 36 years earning Rs 90000 a month working in a government organisation. My monthly expenses are Rs 50000. I am investing in following mutual funds and Provident Fund :- Axis Bluechip Fund - Rs 1000 monthly and current value Rs 70000 Axis Mid cap Fund - Rs 1500 monthly and current value Rs 60000 Nippon India Flexi Cap Fund - Rs 1100 monthly and current value Rs 40000 SBI Nifty SMALL cap index fund - Rs 2000 monthly and current value - Rs 29000 Provident Fund - Rs 20000 monthly and current value - Rs 10 Lakhs Sukanya Smridhi Yojna for my 4 years old daughter - Rs 2500 monthly and current value Rs 118000 I have my wife, 4 years old and mother who are financially dependent on me. I have own house. No loan EMIs are going on. I wish to retire in next 10 years. Is it possible?
Ans: At 36 years old, earning Rs 90,000 per month, and investing in mutual funds and the Provident Fund, you're building a solid foundation. With a manageable monthly expense of Rs 50,000, you are saving around Rs 40,000 per month. This surplus gives you a good start towards achieving your retirement goals.

Your current investments include:

Axis Bluechip Fund: Rs 1,000 monthly SIP, with a current value of Rs 70,000.
Axis Mid Cap Fund: Rs 1,500 monthly SIP, with a current value of Rs 60,000.
Nippon India Flexi Cap Fund: Rs 1,100 monthly SIP, with a current value of Rs 40,000.
SBI Nifty Small Cap Index Fund: Rs 2,000 monthly SIP, with a current value of Rs 29,000.
Provident Fund: Rs 20,000 monthly contribution, current value Rs 10 lakh.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: Rs 2,500 monthly contribution for your daughter, current value Rs 1.18 lakh.
It is commendable that you are consistently investing in mutual funds and secured schemes like the Provident Fund and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana for your daughter. These diversified investments provide stability and growth.

Now, you have set a target to retire in the next 10 years. Let’s assess the feasibility of that goal.

Assessing Your Retirement Timeline
With a 10-year timeline for retirement, you need to ensure that your investments can generate sufficient wealth to cover your post-retirement expenses. You need to account for the following factors:

Inflation: Prices will rise over time, and your expenses will likely increase. Even if your current monthly expense is Rs 50,000, it could double in 10 years due to inflation.

Post-Retirement Monthly Income: After retiring, you will need a regular income to meet your living expenses, cover healthcare, and support your family.

Longevity: You should plan for a retirement period that could last 30 years or more. This means your retirement corpus must last for a long time.

Existing Dependents: You have a wife, a 4-year-old daughter, and a mother who are financially dependent on you. This adds additional responsibility and expense post-retirement.

Given these factors, retiring in 10 years is possible if you carefully plan and optimize your investments.

Recommended Asset Allocation for Retirement
A balanced investment strategy is essential for achieving your goal of early retirement. Here’s a step-by-step approach to structure your investments:

Equity Mutual Funds: Continue investing in equity mutual funds for long-term growth. However, I would recommend focusing on a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and flexi-cap funds.

Actively Managed Funds Over Index Funds: You currently have an investment in an index fund (SBI Nifty Small Cap Index Fund). Index funds tend to provide market-level returns, which may not be sufficient to meet your retirement goals. Actively managed funds offer the potential for better returns because fund managers can take advantage of market opportunities.

By switching from index funds to actively managed funds, you give yourself a higher probability of generating alpha (returns above the market average).

Provident Fund: Continue contributing to the Provident Fund, as it provides a secure, guaranteed return and will serve as a safe portion of your retirement corpus. The EPF also gives you tax-free returns, which are crucial for long-term security.

Increase SIPs Gradually: As your income grows or expenses reduce, try to increase your SIPs. A regular increase of 5% to 10% in SIP contributions can significantly enhance your retirement corpus over time.

Debt Funds for Stability: While equity funds are important for growth, debt mutual funds provide stability and regular returns. As you approach retirement, start allocating a portion of your savings to debt mutual funds. They will offer a regular income stream, while also reducing risk.

Debt funds are also tax-efficient as compared to traditional fixed deposits, especially for long-term capital gains.

Role of Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) for your daughter is a great way to secure her future education. However, you should continue monitoring the progress of the SSY account and ensure that you’re on track to meet her future education needs.

The SSY will also give you tax benefits under Section 80C, making it an efficient investment option from both a financial and tax-saving perspective.

This is a long-term investment, and the current contributions look sufficient for your daughter’s needs. You can gradually increase your contributions as your income grows.

Why Direct Mutual Funds May Not Be Ideal
It is important to be aware of the distinction between direct funds and regular funds. Direct funds come with lower expense ratios but require hands-on management. If you opt for direct funds, you must actively monitor and adjust your portfolio.

However, investing through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) via regular funds ensures professional advice. Your investments will be periodically reviewed and rebalanced to meet your goals. Although regular funds have a slightly higher expense ratio, they come with valuable services that can help you stay on track for retirement.

Thus, it’s better to invest through a CFP who can guide you in adjusting your portfolio as per market trends and your financial goals.

Consider Your Emergency Fund
It’s essential to maintain an emergency fund that can cover 6 to 12 months of living expenses. Given your current expenses of Rs 50,000 per month, aim to set aside around Rs 3-6 lakh in a highly liquid and safe investment, such as a liquid fund or a short-term debt fund.

This emergency fund will act as a buffer during unforeseen circumstances and help you avoid dipping into your long-term investments.

Final Insights
To retire in 10 years, you will need a substantial retirement corpus. This requires careful planning and disciplined investments. Here’s what you should do:

Continue investing in mutual funds, but shift focus towards actively managed funds.

Increase your SIP contributions as your income grows. You are currently saving Rs 40,000 per month, but try to save and invest more if possible.

Maintain a healthy balance between equity and debt investments. While equities will give you growth, debt will provide stability.

Keep contributing to Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana for your daughter’s future.

Avoid direct mutual funds unless you can actively manage the portfolio. Regular funds with a CFP offer better guidance.

Don’t forget to maintain an emergency fund.

With these strategies in place, you have a good chance of achieving your retirement goal in 10 years. But it’s important to continuously review and adjust your plan as you move closer to retirement.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7367 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Nov 09, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 09, 2024Hindi
Money
Hi, I am 45 working and wants to retire now. My wife salary is around 50k/month and she can work for another 18 yrs. Have 2 kids studying in 7th and 2nd class. I have ancestors home to live and major future expense will be kids higher education and marriage. Presently monthly expense is 40k. Regarding investment I have PPF 28 lacs maturing is 2 years, SSY 9 lac, wife PPF 5 lac, MF value 50 lac, equity 12 lac, EPF 11 lac, SGB 6 lac and FD/NSC 26 lac maturing all in next 3-4 yrs. No need of instant money. Please suggest if I can retire now and yes how can I invest my corpus for steady return
Ans: Retiring early is achievable for you with some strategic planning. Given your wife's consistent income, your existing corpus, and the specific needs for children's education and marriage, you can structure investments to sustain both immediate and future financial needs.

Here's a structured approach to plan your retirement:

1. Assessing Income Requirements
With monthly expenses at Rs 40,000, your wife’s income should comfortably cover routine household costs. However, you must ensure your investments provide a stable income as a buffer.

Estimating future inflation and children’s education costs is essential. Education and marriage may require sizable amounts, so it’s wise to earmark specific investments for these expenses.

2. Investment Allocation for Stability and Growth
To sustain your corpus and ensure it grows, dividing it into various categories can be beneficial:

2.1. Public Provident Fund (PPF) and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
PPF: With Rs 28 lakh in PPF maturing in two years, the amount can continue growing without immediate withdrawal. This will allow it to act as a secondary emergency fund.

SSY: Your SSY amount of Rs 9 lakh offers good returns until maturity, making it ideal for your daughter’s future education or marriage needs.

Wife’s PPF: With Rs 5 lakh in her PPF, continue this as a low-risk, tax-free growth option. It will contribute toward your retirement needs.

2.2. Mutual Funds (MF) and Equity
Mutual Funds: At Rs 50 lakh, mutual funds can provide a balance of growth and steady returns. Continue your SIPs in actively managed funds for higher potential returns, as these are guided by expert fund managers compared to index funds. Actively managed funds allow flexibility, adapt to market trends, and provide a diversified growth path.

Equity: Your Rs 12 lakh in stocks offers high growth potential. However, direct stocks come with higher volatility. Rebalancing a portion to a balanced or flexi-cap mutual fund could add stability.

2.3. Employee Provident Fund (EPF)
EPF at Rs 11 lakh acts as a stable, long-term asset with tax-free growth. This can be a reserve fund for later years of retirement, extending your income over time.
2.4. Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs)
With Rs 6 lakh in SGBs, you have a secure inflation hedge. Gold generally appreciates over time, offering a safety net. Keep this as a long-term asset for emergencies or children’s marriage.
2.5. Fixed Deposits and National Savings Certificates (FD/NSC)
Rs 26 lakh in FDs and NSCs maturing over 3-4 years can ensure short-term liquidity. For reinvestment, consider liquid funds or ultra-short-term debt funds for modest but stable returns, as they offer flexibility and better tax efficiency compared to traditional FDs.
3. Strategy for Steady Income Generation
Given your corpus and minimal monthly needs, you can rely on a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) and other low-risk options for steady income.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP): Consider setting up an SWP from your mutual fund corpus. This approach can provide a monthly cash flow without depleting the corpus immediately, especially if you use balanced or hybrid funds.

Debt Funds: Post maturity of your FD/NSC, consider reinvesting in debt mutual funds. These can offer better returns than traditional bank deposits with tax efficiency. Opt for funds with moderate durations to reduce interest rate risk.

4. Child Education and Marriage Planning
Education and marriage planning can be handled by earmarking specific assets for predictable growth:

PPF and SSY for Education: PPF maturity in two years can coincide with your child’s high school expenses. Likewise, SSY can be reserved for your daughter's education or marriage expenses. These instruments offer tax benefits and assured returns.

Dedicated Mutual Funds: You may consider allocating some portion of mutual funds specifically for children’s future. Balanced Advantage Funds or multi-cap funds could suit this purpose, providing both growth and stability.

5. Tax-Efficient Planning
Given the new capital gains tax rules, consider tax efficiency in each asset class:

Equity Mutual Funds: Long-term gains above Rs 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%, while short-term gains are taxed at 20%. Plan withdrawals strategically to keep gains within tax-free limits where possible.

Debt Mutual Funds: Gains are taxed as per your income slab. Post-retirement, when your income is lower, debt funds may become more tax-efficient than fixed deposits.

6. Emergency Fund and Health Coverage
Having a reserve is crucial for any unplanned expenses or emergencies:

Emergency Fund: Retain some funds in liquid investments, like liquid or ultra-short-term funds. This fund should cover at least 6-12 months of expenses.

Health Insurance: Ensure your family’s health coverage is adequate. Health costs tend to rise, so enhancing health coverage can prevent corpus depletion.

7. Estate Planning and Succession
Since you have ancestral property, structuring an estate plan is crucial to ensure a smooth inheritance for your children. A well-drafted will and nomination updates for all financial assets will make it easier for your family in the future.

Finally
Early retirement is achievable with smart financial moves. Your existing portfolio has significant potential, and with a structured plan, you can generate a stable income for years.

The outlined steps above ensure that your financial goals, family needs, and investment potential are fully covered. Focus on disciplined re-investment and consider reviewing your portfolio periodically to ensure alignment with evolving needs.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7367 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 28, 2024

Listen
Money
Requesting you, to help me, regarding midcap 150 etf of mirae asset midcap 150 etf for longterm through SIP
Ans: Let us review the suitability of investing in a mid-cap 150 ETF for the long term via SIP.

Understanding ETFs and Their Characteristics
Passive Management: Midcap ETFs replicate an index like the Nifty Midcap 150.

Cost Efficiency: They offer lower expense ratios compared to actively managed funds.

No Active Decision Making: They do not try to outperform the market but track the index.

Volatility Concerns: Midcap indices are more volatile than large-cap indices.

Returns Depend on Index: The ETF's performance mirrors the performance of its benchmark.

Disadvantages of Investing in Midcap ETFs
Lack of Active Management
Mid-cap stocks are highly volatile.

Active fund managers can adjust portfolios to limit risks during downturns.

ETFs lack this flexibility, as they strictly follow the index composition.

Limited Flexibility in Rebalancing
Market conditions often demand sector rotation or stock-specific decisions.

Actively managed funds adapt to such conditions, but ETFs cannot.

Tracking Errors
ETFs may not perfectly replicate the index due to tracking errors.

This can affect returns, especially over the long term.

Why Actively Managed Funds May Be Better
Fund Manager Expertise
Skilled managers can outperform the index by selecting high-growth stocks.

They can mitigate risks in falling markets through tactical decisions.

Flexibility in Stock Selection
Active funds are not limited to a predefined basket of stocks.

Managers can select fundamentally strong stocks beyond the index.

Potential for Higher Returns
Actively managed funds have historically outperformed midcap indices over long periods.

This makes them a better choice for wealth creation in the mid-cap segment.

Recommendations for Long-Term Mid-Cap Investments
Diversify: Include actively managed mid-cap funds instead of relying solely on an ETF.

Professional Guidance: Invest in regular plans via a Certified Financial Planner.

Monitor Performance: Review fund performance every 6–12 months.

Manage Risk: Avoid overexposure to mid-cap investments due to their volatility.

Final Insights
While Mirae Asset Midcap 150 ETF is a low-cost option, it has limitations.

Active mid-cap funds can better navigate market volatility.

They provide the flexibility and expertise required for wealth creation.

For long-term SIPs, consider balanced exposure to actively managed funds. This ensures both growth and risk management over time.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7367 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 28, 2024

Money
Dear sir, I am 50 years old and working in private sector MNC 1.5 Lakhs on hand. My job security is very less. I have two kids aged 18, 14 years old. My wife is housewife. I have 80L in Mutual funds and 20L in stocks, Bank deposits 40L. I am investing in SIP in below Mutual funds all direct growth around 57000 pm. CR Bule chip fund, MA Large and Midcap, HDFC smallcap each 5000 pm (15000) step up 2000 every 6months. Invesco Infra, JM Value fund, Nippon India Multicap, Small cap, Parag parekh Flexi cap, Quant Small cap, Mid cap each 6000 pm (42000), all these SIPs started recently from June 2024. Some Lumpsum in Axis smallcap 6L, Bandan core Equity 3L, CR Smallcap 8L, DSP smallcap 4L,HSBC Flexicap 3.5, HSBC Smallcap 3L, ICICI Pru Infra 3.5L, Value discovery 3L, Invesco Large & Midcap 2L, JM Flexicap 1L, Motilal Oswal Midcap 8L, SBI Bluechip 7L, Infrastructure 2L, Sundaram Smallcap 3L My expenses per month are 1.2 Lakh. I don't have loans/EMIs. Please advice me for my retirement life which need at least 1.5L per month, my kids education expenses, and also advice to my Portfolio. Thanks and regards, Yours sincerely, Purushotham Thati
Ans: Your current portfolio and investment habits show a good start. Let us evaluate your financial standing, address your goals, and provide suggestions for optimisation.

Assessment of Your Current Financial Position
Income and Expenses: You have a monthly income of Rs. 1.5 lakh and expenses of Rs. 1.2 lakh. This leaves a surplus of Rs. 30,000 per month.

Investment Corpus: Your existing corpus includes Rs. 80 lakh in mutual funds, Rs. 20 lakh in stocks, and Rs. 40 lakh in bank deposits.

SIP Contributions: You are investing Rs. 57,000 monthly across multiple mutual funds.

Lump Sum Investments: You have allocated significant lump sums to small-cap, flexi-cap, and thematic funds.

Goals: Your goals include securing Rs. 1.5 lakh monthly for retirement and funding your children's education.

Planning for Retirement
Corpus Required
You aim for Rs. 1.5 lakh per month during retirement.

Factor in inflation to estimate future monthly expenses.

The current corpus and SIPs must grow consistently to meet this goal.

Recommendations
Maintain a balanced allocation between equity and debt for steady growth.

Avoid excessive concentration in small-cap and thematic funds, which are volatile.

Increase exposure to balanced and flexi-cap funds for stability.

Planning for Children’s Education
Current Needs
Your children are aged 18 and 14, which implies upcoming higher education expenses.

Plan for expenses within the next 4–8 years.

Recommendations
Create a dedicated education fund for both children.

Use debt-oriented hybrid funds or short-term debt funds for near-term goals.

Ensure part of your mutual fund corpus is earmarked for this purpose.

Portfolio Review and Suggestions
Strengths of the Portfolio
Disciplined SIP Investments: Investing Rs. 57,000 monthly shows financial discipline.

Diversification: Exposure to various categories like large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, and thematic funds.

Areas for Improvement
Excessive Small-Cap Allocation: High exposure to small-cap funds increases volatility.

Thematic Fund Overlap: Thematic funds like infrastructure may lead to concentration risks.

Direct Fund Investments: Direct funds lack professional guidance and ongoing monitoring.

Portfolio Optimisation
Consolidate funds to reduce over-diversification and improve focus.

Shift some SIPs to balanced advantage or hybrid funds for stability.

Review and replace underperforming funds periodically.

Invest through a Certified Financial Planner to benefit from professional advice.

Optimising Lumpsum Investments
Review the performance of your lump sum investments.

Redeploy underperforming small-cap and thematic funds into balanced funds.

Keep a portion of your bank deposits in liquid funds for emergencies.

Avoid high allocations to sectoral or cyclical funds due to their dependency on market conditions.

Tax Planning
Long-term capital gains on equity mutual funds above Rs. 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%.

Short-term capital gains on equity funds are taxed at 20%.

Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income tax slab.

Plan redemptions considering these rules to minimise tax liabilities.

Emergency Fund Allocation
Maintain at least 6–12 months of expenses in liquid funds or fixed deposits.

This ensures financial security given your low job security.

Allocate Rs. 15–20 lakh from your bank deposits for this purpose.

Recommendations for SIPs
Reduce exposure to small-cap and thematic funds.

Increase allocation to large-cap and multi-cap funds for stability.

Consider balanced advantage funds to manage market volatility.

Step-up SIPs only after assessing fund performance.

Final Insights
Your financial foundation is strong, but optimisation is essential.

Prioritise stability and diversification in your portfolio.

Allocate funds separately for retirement and children’s education.

Maintain a robust emergency fund to handle uncertainties.

Seek professional advice to streamline and monitor your investments.

Consistent review and disciplined investing will help you achieve financial independence and secure your family’s future.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

...Read more

Milind

Milind Vadjikar  |807 Answers  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Dec 28, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 28, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money
Retiremen advice I am 50 yrs old single with recurring and chronic health issues. I would like to retire and I have 2 crore in FD 1 crore in stock and mutual funds I also own a home and a flat both are free of debt. Please advice me to restructure my assets and have a peaceful retirement. My tax consultant told me I can get up to 3 lakhs per month with 3 cr invested in stocks and mutual funds How realistic is it possible and how to montage the downside risks associated with it. I had been a victim of Franklin Templeton debt funds during covid and I do not trust Mutual funds houses or its manages as before.
Ans: Hello;

It is impossible to get 3 L per month with 3 Cr corpus in mutual funds, unless you are ready to deplete the corpus completely over 10-12 years.

Since you were impacted with Franklin Templeton debt funds issue earlier, I recommend you to buy an immediate annuity from a life insurance company for a sum of 2.8 Cr.

You may chose annuity for life with return of purchase price to your nominee.

It may yield you a post tax monthly income of around 1.1 L+.

After fulfilling your regular expenses you may begin a monthly sip of 10-15 K in any equity fund.

The corpus that this investment will generate over 10-15 years may be used to top-up annuity and hence monthly payouts to account for rise in the inflation.

You may keep balance 20 L corpus in savings account as emergency fund.

Although the Franklin Templeton debt fund issue was difficult for the unitholders of those funds, the alacrity and surgical precision with which SEBI handled that issue and ensured all investors get their money back was commendable.

We cannot control human behaviour but we have extremely robust system of checks and balances in regulation of our MF industry to safeguard investor interests at all costs even if some negative event occurs.

Seek help from a mutual fund distributor or an investment advisor for help, if required.

Best wishes;
X: @mars_invest

...Read more

Anu

Anu Krishna  |1413 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Dec 28, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 27, 2024Hindi
Listen
Relationship
I live in a joint family with my brother and parents. I’ve been having a hard time managing my relationship with my bhabhi (sister-in-law). We live in the same house, and things have been tense lately. I’ve always tried to be polite and respectful, but there are constant little misunderstandings between us, and it’s starting to affect my peace of mind. We both want to keep things cordial for the family’s sake, but it feels like there’s always some tension whenever we interact. The problem is, I tend to get defensive whenever she says something I don’t agree with, and I know it’s only making things worse. I’m also trying to stay calm in front of everyone, but it’s hard not to let these small issues build up in my head. I really don’t want to keep feeling frustrated, but I don’t know how to change my approach. I love my brother and I want to improve the atmosphere at home and make sure I’m not letting these things affect me so much. Please help.
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
Joint family systems are filled with adventure and these things that you have brought up are part of that adventure.
Take things as they come and make sure you train yourself not to react...is this possible? YES, it is!
Let's say your Bhabhi accuses you of something, maybe your first reaction is to get defensive and explain or argue. Instead, what if you trained yourself to say: Okay, she's again accusing me of something; let's see what is the new thing that she has invented and let me have fun by simply listening.

This will ensure that your part of adventure gets playful and it will also enable you to respond rather than react. Now, does this happen overnight? NO, it requires a lot of mind training but start somewhere to get to someplace different.

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

...Read more

Anu

Anu Krishna  |1413 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Dec 28, 2024

Listen
Relationship
Hi, I Am 26(M). I had an arranged marriage, my wife had a pre-marital affair which continued even after our engagement and for 9 months of marriage. According to my wife, she met him once and he wanted to have sex but my wife didn't do it. (The used to chat on Instagram). I found out today after 2 years of marriage. And we just had a baby. My wife asked me to use Instagram after we got engaged, but I refused because I was afraid it would have a bad effect on her. I don't even use it cause I know what can go wrong. When I caught her red-handed and saw the man's chats, I took her phone. And then I had read a little chat, then my wife came to me and said that she had to call our maid. I gave her the phone and she not only spoke on the phone but also deleted the chats with the guy. My eyes were closed when she spoke to maid on the phone. Cause I was so tired. Then I asked my wife to talk to him in front of me because I wanted to teach him a lesson and find his fiancée and tell her the truth. I'm very loyal to my wife. And she was my world. I've never had a girlfriend. I am open minded and I had asked my wife before the engagement, after the engagement on the phone and even after the marriage that if she had a past, I will accept it. My wife messaged him and he asked her talk on video call. The guy also knows that we have just had a baby who is not even 1 month old. I turned on the screen recording of the video call and gave it to my wife. In that screen recording, my wife texted the guy and told him to talk carefully cause I was sitting in front of her and then deleted the message with option of 'delete for you' on Instagram. This is how my wife cheated on me 2 times even after being caught. She told me that she loved me later on. And she took great care of me. She brought me out of depression. She did everything and I also loved her with all my heart and did everything for her. Right now she is saying I forgive her and she wants to live with me like before. She apologized a ton as well. But I don't know what to do at the moment. After so many lies, I can't trust her easily. She has a habit of lying in small things as well. I want to live with her, she was my support, my mother is not even there. when I was 12 years old... Now what do I do? Please kindly guide me!
Ans: Dear LoneKnight,
Yes, you feel like your trust has been broken. Is it easy to build back that trust? Yes and No...Yes, if you wish to...No, if you don't wish to...
If you go back in time and play the same story about how you wife was on Instagram and how she 'cheated' on you, there is no way that you can put your marriage back together.
How are you open-minded when an Instagram account causes you to fear what will happen? I can understand that you are a person with no past girlfriends but people do come with a past. Now, your wife could have shared her past with you, but most women seem to not want to for fear of reaction from the men like you have now. I can see that all this has hurt you, but if you want this marriage to work, you are going to have to drop all the past baggage, yours and your wife's and start afresh. Which means taking things for what it is NOW at face value without doubting it.
Can you do that? My suggestion would be: make an honest attempt at it. But warn yourself against going back in to the past otherwise there will be more mud throwing and no solution in sight.
Start new, Start afresh...

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

...Read more

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

Close  

You haven't logged in yet. To ask a question, Please Log in below
Login

A verification OTP will be sent to this
Mobile Number / Email

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to

Resend OTP in120seconds

Dear User, You have not registered yet. Please register by filling the fields below to get expert answers from our Gurus
Sign up

By signing up, you agree to our
Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Already have an account?

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to Mobile

Resend OTP in120seconds

x