I am 32 years old, me and my wife together draw a salary of 2Lac after taxes. We do not have any investments till now(Car EMI and Maternity expenses till now had costed most of our income which used to be 1.2Lac before). Our monthly expenses range upto 75k(22k+ rent) with a toddler which may increase to 90k once he starts schooling in 3 years. I came from middle class background so don't have any properties or other income sources. If we want to retire at or around 55Yrs of age how much should i invest per month from now and what kind of investments should i do?

Ans: Planning for a Comfortable Retirement
Understanding Your Financial Situation
Your combined monthly salary is ?2 lakhs after taxes, and your current expenses are ?75,000, which might increase to ?90,000 in three years when your toddler starts schooling.

Setting Your Retirement Goal
You wish to retire at the age of 55. Considering your current age of 32, you have 23 years to build your retirement corpus.

Estimating Monthly Investments
To retire comfortably, you need to estimate your future expenses. Assuming your monthly expenses will increase due to inflation, we can estimate a required corpus.

Investment Strategy
Start Early and Stay Consistent:

Starting your investments early gives you the advantage of compounding. Consistency is key to achieving your goals.
Diversify Your Investments:

A balanced portfolio of equity and debt funds can provide growth and stability.
Equity Mutual Funds:

Equity mutual funds can offer high returns over the long term. Consider large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds.
Advantages of Regular Funds:
Regular funds provide expert management and personalized advice from Certified Financial Planners.
Debt Mutual Funds:

Debt funds provide stability and reduce risk. They are suitable for medium-term goals and provide steady returns.
Systematic Investment Plan (SIP):

SIPs allow you to invest a fixed amount regularly. This helps in rupee cost averaging and compounding over time.
Public Provident Fund (PPF):

PPF is a safe, long-term investment option with tax benefits. It is ideal for risk-averse investors.
National Pension System (NPS):

NPS provides a mix of equity and debt investments with additional tax benefits. It is a good option for retirement planning.
How Much to Invest Monthly
Calculate Future Expenses:

Estimate your future monthly expenses considering inflation. For example, if your current expenses are ?75,000, they might double by the time you retire.
Estimate Required Corpus:

Calculate the corpus needed to cover your future expenses for 25-30 years post-retirement.
Determine Monthly Investment:

Use a retirement calculator to determine the monthly investment needed to achieve your corpus.
Example Calculation
Current Monthly Expense: ?75,000
Future Monthly Expense (with inflation): ?1.5 lakhs
Estimated Corpus Needed: ?3-5 crores
Monthly Investment Required: ?40,000-?50,000 (adjust based on calculations and investment returns)
Reviewing and Adjusting Your Plan
Regular Reviews:

Review your investment portfolio annually to ensure it aligns with your goals.
Adjust Investments:

Adjust your investments based on market performance and changing financial goals.
Stay Informed:

Keep yourself updated with financial news and trends to make informed decisions.
Conclusion
By starting early and investing consistently, you can achieve your retirement goal. Diversify your investments across equity and debt funds, and regularly review your portfolio.

Your commitment to securing your financial future is commendable. Stay focused and disciplined in your investment journey.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in