27-Year-Old Earning 32k/Month: How Much to Save for Retirement at 50?

Ans: Hello Bhavaniprasad and thanks for writing to me. I only discuss mutual funds in this column and would restrict myself to the same in this answer.

After adjusting for inflation at 6% per annum, you will need a corpus of around 5 Crore in 21 years.

To create this corpus, you need to invest Rs.45,000 every month. You can consider beginning SIP's in:
1-DSP Quant Fund: Rs.9,000
2-Edelweiss NIFTY 100 Quality 30 Index Fund: Rs.9,000
3-SBI Focused Equity Fund: Rs.9,000
4-Axis Bluechip Fund-Rs.9,000
5-UTI Focused Equity Fund-Rs.9,000

Frequent rebalancing is essential to ensure that you are on the right track. I recommend you to consult a financial advisor who can help you plan and rebalance your portfolio and recommend an asset mix for you keeping in mind your specific needs.

Ans: You have already decided on the target corpus in today's value at Rs 1.5 Crore. So now if the same figure provided by you is inflation-adjusted at 6% (assumed avg. inflation) for the next 21 years, the figure comes to Rs 5.1 Cr in future value. To reach this corpus, one needs to invest about Rs 51-52,000 per month (Rs 6.1+ lakh per year) at an average return of 9% per annum. This monthly/annual investment amount needs to increase ny at least 5% every year in line with the increase in your salary.

Currently, you are investing Rs 1 lakh in LIC traditional plans which can give returns of 5-6%. The equity funds can give 10-11% average returns in the long run. So to reach the target corpus, you need to increase the investments in lien with what the requirements have been suggested.

Note (Disclaimer) - As a SEBI RIA, I cannot comment on specific schemes/funds that are provided or asked for in the questions in the platform. And the views expressed above should not be considered professional investment advice or advertisement or otherwise. No specific product/service recommendations have been made and the answers here are for general educational purposes only. The readers are requested to take into consideration all the risk factors including their financial condition, suitability to risk-return profile and the like and take professional investment advice before investing.

Ans: You have already decided on the target corpus in today's value at Rs 1.5 Crore. So now if the same figure provided by you is inflation-adjusted at 6% (assumed avg. inflation) for the next 21 years, the figure comes to Rs 5.1 Cr in future value. To reach this corpus, one needs to invest about Rs 51-52,000 per month (Rs 6.1+ lakh per year) at an average return of 9% per annum. This monthly/annual investment amount needs to increase ny at least 5% every year in line with the increase in your salary.

Currently, you are investing Rs 1 lakh in LIC traditional plans which can give returns of 5-6%. The equity funds can give 10-11% average returns in the long run. So to reach the target corpus, you need to increase the investments in line with what the requirements have been suggested.

Note (Disclaimer) - As a SEBI RIA, I cannot comment on specific schemes/funds that are provided or asked for in the questions in the platform. And the views expressed above should not be considered professional investment advice or advertisement or otherwise. No specific product/service recommendations have been made and the answers here are for general educational purposes only. The readers are requested to take into consideration all the risk factors including their financial condition, suitability to risk-return profile and the like and take professional investment advice before investing.

Ans: About 2 crores

Ans: Your goal to retire at 55 with a corpus of Rs 3 crore is achievable with a structured financial plan. Let's dive into the details and assess your current situation.

Current Financial Situation
You're 34 years old, earning Rs 95,000 per month. You have a personal loan with an EMI of Rs 11,000 for the next 5 years. Additionally, you have a Post Office Insurance policy with a premium of Rs 5,000 per month. Your investments include four SIPs:

A small-cap fund with Rs 5,000 per month.
A large-cap fund with Rs 3,000 per month.
A mid-cap fund with Rs 5,000 per month.
A focused equity fund with Rs 10,000 per month.
Genuine Compliments and Understanding
First, let me commend you for starting your investments early. It shows foresight and a disciplined approach towards your financial goals. Managing EMIs, insurance premiums, and SIPs simultaneously can be challenging, but you're on the right track. Let's enhance your strategy to ensure you meet your retirement goal of Rs 3 crore by 55.

Evaluating Your Investments
Small-Cap Funds
Small-cap funds have the potential for high returns, but they come with significant volatility. Given your investment horizon, they can be a good choice for capital appreciation. However, it's crucial to regularly review the fund's performance.

Large-Cap Funds
Large-cap funds offer stability and moderate returns. They invest in well-established companies, providing a balance to your portfolio. This is a solid choice for steady growth.

Mid-Cap Funds
Mid-cap funds strike a balance between the high growth potential of small caps and the stability of large caps. They are a good addition for diversification and growth.

Focused Equity Funds
Focused equity funds invest in a limited number of stocks. While they can deliver high returns, they also carry higher risk due to the concentrated portfolio. Regular performance review is essential.

The Importance of Regular Reviews
It's important to regularly review your investment portfolio. Financial markets are dynamic, and fund performance can change over time. Regular reviews help you stay on track and make necessary adjustments.

The Power of Compounding
One of the key advantages of mutual funds is the power of compounding. By investing regularly and staying invested over the long term, your investments can grow exponentially. Compounding allows your returns to generate more returns, significantly increasing your wealth over time.

Risk and Diversification
Investing in mutual funds comes with risks, such as market risk, credit risk, and liquidity risk. However, diversification helps mitigate these risks. By investing in different types of funds, you spread the risk across various asset classes and sectors.

Benefits of Actively Managed Funds
While index funds mimic the market index and provide average market returns, actively managed funds aim to outperform the market. Fund managers use their expertise to select stocks with high growth potential. Although they come with higher management fees, the potential for higher returns can outweigh the costs.

Disadvantages of Index Funds
Index funds, while low-cost, do not offer the potential for superior returns like actively managed funds. They simply track the market index and cannot outperform it. In volatile markets, this can be a disadvantage as they lack the flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions.

The Case Against Direct Funds
Direct funds have lower expense ratios compared to regular funds. However, investing through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) provides valuable guidance. CFPs can help you select the right funds, monitor your investments, and make adjustments as needed. The expertise and personalized advice they offer can significantly enhance your investment strategy.

Your Retirement Goal: Rs 3 Crore
To achieve a corpus of Rs 3 crore by 55, it's crucial to maintain and possibly increase your current investments. Here's a detailed plan to help you stay on track:

Increase SIP Contributions: As your salary increases, consider increasing your SIP contributions. This will accelerate the growth of your corpus.

Diversify Your Portfolio: Continue diversifying your investments across different types of funds to spread risk and enhance returns.

Regular Performance Reviews: Conduct regular reviews of your investment portfolio. Rebalance your portfolio if necessary to align with your financial goals.

Maintain an Emergency Fund: Ensure you have an adequate emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses. This prevents you from dipping into your investments during emergencies.

Plan for Debt Repayment: Focus on repaying your personal loan within the next 5 years. Once repaid, redirect the EMI amount towards your investments.

Empathy and Encouragement
It's commendable that you are managing multiple financial commitments while planning for retirement. Financial planning requires discipline and patience, and you're doing a great job. Stay committed to your plan, and with regular reviews and adjustments, you'll achieve your retirement goal.

Final Insights
Retiring at 55 with a corpus of Rs 3 crore is achievable with your current investment strategy. By maintaining and increasing your SIP contributions, diversifying your portfolio, and conducting regular performance reviews, you can stay on track. Remember to leverage the expertise of a Certified Financial Planner for personalized advice and guidance.

Conclusion
Stay committed to your investment strategy, and keep your financial goals in mind. With discipline and regular reviews, you'll achieve your retirement goal and enjoy a financially secure future.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in