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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8204 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 20, 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
Unmesh Question by Unmesh on May 15, 2024Hindi
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Greetings!! I am 33 years old, working as a civil engineer residing in Chennai with a family of four [ wife and two daughters]. I am earning Rs. 80,000 per month. My investment portfolio is given as below:- 1 LIC - Single Premium Endowment Plan Rs 10,00,000/- 2. LIC - New Money Back Plan - 25 yrs 821 Sum Assured Rs. 5,00,000/- 3. Public Provident Fund Rs. 1,50,000 P.A. 4. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana Rs. 1,50,000 P.A. 5. Mutual Funds: SIP - Equity Funds Rs. 10,000 per month 6. Mutual Funds: Lumpsum - Equity Funds Rs. 20,00,000 My investment goal is to have a retirement corpus of Rs. 10 Cr. In this regard, I would like to request the following advice: - 1. Whether my investments are on the right track to achieve my goals or should I alter my investment portfolio ? 2. Are there any alternative options to generate passive income to strengthen my financial situation ? Looking forward to hearing from you.

Ans: Strategic Financial Planning for Retirement
Greetings! It's impressive to see your commitment to securing your family's financial future through thoughtful investments. Let's review your current portfolio and explore potential adjustments to align with your retirement goal.

Evaluating Current Investments
Genuine Compliments: Your dedication to financial planning for your family's well-being is truly commendable.

Empathy and Understanding: I understand the importance of ensuring a comfortable retirement for you and your loved ones, given your responsibilities and aspirations.

Assessing Investment Portfolio
Insurance-Cum-Investment Plans: Consider surrendering your LIC policies, as they may not offer optimal returns compared to other investment options.
Public Provident Fund (PPF) and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY): These are excellent choices for long-term savings, providing tax benefits and stable returns.
Mutual Funds (MF): Your SIPs and lumpsum investments in equity funds are well-suited for long-term wealth accumulation, given their potential for higher returns.
Aligning with Retirement Goals
Reallocating Surrendered Amount: Reinvest the proceeds from surrendering LIC policies into mutual funds to benefit from potentially higher returns.
Retirement Corpus Target: Your goal of accumulating a retirement corpus of Rs. 10 Crores is ambitious but achievable with strategic planning and disciplined investing.
Passive Income Options: Explore avenues like dividend-paying stocks, rental income from real estate (if suitable), or systematic withdrawal plans (SWP) from mutual funds to generate passive income streams.
Benefits of Regular Funds Investing through MFD with CFP Credential
Certified Financial Planners can provide personalized advice and ongoing portfolio management, ensuring your investments align with your retirement goals.
Mutual Fund Distributors with CFP credentials offer expertise and guidance to optimize your investment portfolio for long-term growth and stability.
Conclusion
By reallocating your investments, focusing on high-return options like mutual funds, and seeking guidance from a Certified Financial Planner, you can enhance your chances of achieving your retirement goal and securing a financially stable future for your family.

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.
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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8204 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 11, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 11, 2024Hindi
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Hello sir, I earn monthly as 1.84 lakh.I spend 60% of my salary in living expense and 40% as savings I spend 11000 in mutual funds which include 5000 in HDFC balanced advantage fund, 2000 in eledweiss mutual fund,3000 in motilal oswal midcap fund direct growth. Have added step up of 20% in each one,also I spend 10000 in NPS and 5000 in PPF every month. This all saving I have started last year. My age is 40 currently. I have a target to generate 2 cr alteast till I reach 60. Will this be possible with this much investment or not, if not how much should I invest monthly. Also I am not able to have emergency fund. How should I manage my financial planning. Also what can be source of passive income. I not good in share market or digital marketing stuffs. Please suggest
Ans: It's great that you're actively saving and investing for your future. However, to achieve your goal of accumulating ?2 crore by the time you're 60, you may need to adjust your investment strategy and consider a few factors:

Emergency Fund: It's crucial to have an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses, such as medical emergencies or job loss. Aim to save at least 3-6 months' worth of living expenses in a liquid and easily accessible account.

Investment Allocation: While investing in mutual funds, consider diversifying your portfolio across different asset classes such as equity, debt, and hybrid funds to manage risk effectively. Also, review your investment choices periodically to ensure they align with your goals and risk tolerance.

Increasing Investments: To reach your target of ?2 crore by age 60, you may need to increase your monthly investments. Consider using a financial calculator or consulting a financial advisor to determine the monthly contribution required based on your expected rate of return and time horizon.

Passive Income Sources: Explore passive income streams such as rental income from real estate properties, dividends from stocks or mutual funds, or interest from fixed deposits or bonds. These sources can provide additional income without requiring active involvement.

Financial Planning: Consider consulting with a certified financial planner who can help you create a comprehensive financial plan tailored to your goals, risk tolerance, and financial situation. They can also provide guidance on optimizing your investments and achieving financial security.

Remember, achieving long-term financial goals requires discipline, patience, and periodic review of your financial plan. By making informed decisions and staying committed to your goals, you can work towards building a secure financial future.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8204 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 27, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 19, 2024Hindi
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Dear Ramalingam , Current portfolio stands like this PMS @ 2 value 50L each. SIP ?4L per month and pushing by end of yr another ?1L in Def sector . Overseas property and investment property and shares 825K @ current evaluation ?70 @ each . 45 yrs 1 kid on way ??. Want to retire at 60 passive income of ?8L per month . Advice .
Ans: Current Financial Snapshot
Portfolio:

PMS: Rs 1 crore (2 PMS at Rs 50 lakh each)
SIP: Rs 4 lakh/month
Planned SIP increase: Rs 1 lakh/month
Overseas property and investment property: Rs 70 lakh each
Shares: Rs 8.25 lakh
Age: 45 years

Goal: Retire at 60 with Rs 8 lakh/month passive income

Family: One child on the way

Analysis and Insights
Current Investments:

Diversified across PMS, SIPs, properties, and shares.
High monthly SIP shows strong commitment to investing.
Passive Income Goal:

Rs 8 lakh/month is ambitious.
Requires a strategic investment approach.
Recommended Strategy
1. Increase SIP Contributions:

Current SIP: Rs 4 lakh/month
Planned increase: Rs 1 lakh/month
Aim for annual SIP increases of 10-15%.
2. Diversify Across Asset Classes:

Balance equity, debt, and alternative investments.
Focus on actively managed mutual funds over index funds for better returns.
3. Rebalance Portfolio:

Review asset allocation annually.
Adjust based on market conditions and goals.
4. Property Investments:

Avoid real estate as a primary investment.
Focus on high-growth potential sectors.
Detailed Investment Plan
1. Equity Mutual Funds:

Allocate 60-70% to equity mutual funds.
Diversify across large-cap, mid-cap, and flexi-cap funds.
2. Debt Mutual Funds:

Allocate 20-30% to debt mutual funds.
Provide stability and regular returns.
3. Alternative Investments:

Explore international funds, gold ETFs, and sector-specific funds.
Limit exposure to high-risk sectors.
Steps to Achieve Financial Goals
1. Annual Reviews:

Review investments quarterly.
Adjust based on performance and market trends.
2. Increase SIP Gradually:

Start with Rs 5 lakh/month.
Increase by 10-15% annually.
3. Emergency Fund:

Maintain a sufficient emergency fund.
Covers 6-12 months of expenses.
Final Insights
Disciplined Investing: Stay committed to your investment plan.
Diversification: Spread investments across asset classes for balanced growth.
Regular Monitoring: Review and rebalance your portfolio regularly.
Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8204 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 18, 2024

Money
I am 49 years old working in private sector. Currently, drawing Rs. 1.50 lakhs per month, my investment details. - Lumpsum investment – canara robeco midcap regular – Rs.2 lakhs, union multicap fund –Rs.1 lakh, mahindra Manulife small cap rs.2 lakh; canara robeco multi cap Rs.2.20 lakhs; mahindra Manulife business cycle fund – Rs. 50,000; white oak capital large & mid cap fund – Rs. 100,000; ICICI prudential energy opportunities fund – rs. 100,000 - SIP – HDFC Defence fund – Rs. 10,000; mahindra manulife manufacturing fund – Rs.10000; white oak special opportunities fund 10,000 - FD with HDFC bank – rs. 12,00,000 - LIC – Rs. 10 lakhs My future expenditure, daughters marriage in 3 to 4 years and to purchase house in chennai and to save money for retirement. Please give me advice on how to invest so that I can meet my future demands and have a self-sufficient retirement.
Ans: Assessment of Current Investments
Mutual Funds

Your portfolio has a good mix of midcap, multicap, small-cap, and sectoral funds.
Diversification across different fund categories is appreciable.
However, the allocation to thematic and sectoral funds like defence, manufacturing, and energy is high.
Sectoral funds can be volatile and risky, especially for near-term goals.
Fixed Deposit (FD)

Rs. 12 lakh in FD provides stability and liquidity.
FDs are suitable for short-term needs but offer limited growth potential.
LIC Policy

The LIC policy provides Rs. 10 lakh, likely covering insurance and investment.
Such policies usually yield lower returns than mutual funds.
Future Financial Goals
Daughter’s Marriage (3–4 years)

Allocate funds with a low-risk profile for this goal.
Avoid high exposure to equity for this purpose.
House Purchase in Chennai

Save in instruments that offer both safety and moderate returns.
Flexibility and liquidity are important for this goal.
Retirement Corpus

Focus on long-term equity investments for growth.
Diversify to balance returns and risk.
Proposed Investment Strategy
Short-Term Goals (Daughter’s Marriage and House Purchase)
Utilise Fixed Deposits Wisely

Allocate a portion of your FD for your daughter’s marriage.
Retain some FD for emergency purposes only.
Invest in Debt Mutual Funds

Choose high-quality short-duration or dynamic bond funds.
Debt funds can provide better post-tax returns than FDs.
Keep the money safe and accessible for short-term use.
Avoid Sectoral and Thematic Funds

Shift sectoral fund investments to safer debt-oriented funds.
Sectoral funds are not suitable for short-term goals.
Medium- to Long-Term Goal (Retirement Planning)
Increase SIP in Diversified Equity Funds

Diversify into flexicap, multicap, or large-cap funds.
These funds balance risk and growth for long-term wealth creation.
Reduce Thematic Fund Allocation

Limit exposure to thematic funds to less than 10% of the portfolio.
Reallocate to well-diversified equity funds.
Invest in Hybrid Funds

Include balanced advantage or hybrid equity funds.
These funds reduce volatility while offering equity-like returns.
Consider Equity-Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS)

Invest in ELSS for tax-saving benefits under Section 80C.
ELSS funds also offer long-term growth.
General Recommendations
Review Insurance Policy

Assess if the LIC policy offers adequate life coverage.
If it is a traditional endowment or ULIP, consider surrendering.
Reallocate proceeds to mutual funds for better returns.
Maintain Emergency Fund

Keep 6–12 months’ expenses in a savings account or liquid funds.
This ensures you have liquidity for unforeseen expenses.
Monitor and Rebalance Portfolio

Review your portfolio quarterly or semi-annually.
Rebalance to maintain alignment with your goals.
Focus on Tax Efficiency

Use tax-efficient instruments like ELSS, debt funds, and retirement-focused funds.
Plan withdrawals strategically to reduce tax impact on capital gains.
Retirement Planning Recommendations
Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP)

In the future, use SWP from mutual funds for retirement income.
It provides tax efficiency compared to traditional annuities.
Healthcare Planning

Ensure your health insurance coverage is adequate for post-retirement needs.
Increase coverage if necessary to avoid financial strain later.
Invest in Equity for Growth

Continue investing in equities for long-term wealth appreciation.
Equity helps combat inflation effectively over the years.
Final Insights
Your investment portfolio is commendable and diversified. However, some adjustments can improve alignment with your goals. Reduce sectoral exposure and shift towards safer instruments for short-term needs. For retirement, continue SIPs in diversified equity and hybrid funds. Regular monitoring and rebalancing will keep your financial plan on track. With these changes, you can achieve your goals while ensuring a comfortable and self-sufficient retirement.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Janak

Janak Patel  |26 Answers  |Ask -

MF, PF Expert - Answered on Apr 09, 2025

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One fincart advisor contacted me for giving me advise regarding mutual funds and investment of sector is fincart a good company or not to invest
Ans: Hi Sammer,

An adviser/company to be categories as good or not is a bit subjective. I say this because you may find people who have had a good experience with them and those who did not have a good one.

But let me try to help you with some pointers that can help you decide
1. Before asking what they can offer you, ask them - "What do you gain by becoming my advisor?" Their response will give you insight into their objectives. If its not clearly stated, then consider it a RED flag.
2. Are they going to advise based on your preferences or they have a selected list that you need to choose from. I have heard of adviser pushing different products without considering your preferences e.g. You prefer MF and they push ULIP, Regular MF vs Direct MF etc. This can include cross selling other products that they are servicing like insurance and pension products.
3. Inquire about their process of engagement before advising you. Will they consider your requirements and evaluate them and present options to choose or start by putting the options on table and recommending MFs without understanding your goals/requirements. Simple ask, so which is the best MF scheme to invest today. If they start listing them - RED flag.
4. How will they construct a portfolio for you, structure and number of schemes in it, will it have a strategy and objective to it. Or will they keep building it over time by adding new schemes as and when. A person once came to me with a portfolio of approx. 30 lakhs with over 30 MF schemes in it - RED flag. Going beyond 5-6 schemes needs to be reviewed thoroughly.
5. What are their processes for reviewing the performance of the portfolio/schemes and how do they provide recommendation for changes in the portfolio. Will they take into account tax impacts when recommending exits.
6. Will they aim to educate you in this whole process about various aspects so as to establish and enhance their engagement, trust and your own confidence in them.
7. Most important - Will it be a fee based engagement or a commission based. Typically fee based engagements should encourage customer's preferences e.g Direct MF, using client's Demat account etc and provide recommendations for customers requirement with alternatives and options. Even when you change a recommendation, they should educate you on its impact and recommend alternative to mitigate the impact. Commission based engagements are based on their earnings from your investment. Some times their approach is to add schemes based on commissions. But there are good advisors who will stay the course of a well constructed portfolio even in this model, having the customers interest at heart.

So do your own assessment of any advisor you engage with based on the above. You can add more points of evaluation based on your own experience and knowledge.
Remember Simple strategies are more often successful.

Thanks & Regards
Janak Patel
Certified Financial Planner.

...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.

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