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Ramalingam Kalirajan |7465 Answers |Ask -Follow

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 18, 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 14, 2024Hindi

I 35 year old and come under the category of 'professional' for income tax computation. I have been investing in mutual funds and have a corpus of 6 lakhs. Should I also invest in ppf, nps, FDs?

Ans: Considering your age and tax category as a 'professional', let's assess whether diversifying your investment portfolio with PPF, NPS, or FDs would be beneficial alongside your existing mutual fund investments.

Evaluating Investment Options
Mutual Funds
Mutual funds offer the potential for higher returns compared to traditional options like PPF, NPS, or FDs. They provide exposure to a diversified portfolio of stocks or bonds, suited to your risk profile and investment horizon.

PPF (Public Provident Fund)
PPF offers tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act and provides a guaranteed rate of return. It's a long-term investment option with a lock-in period of 15 years, offering safety and stability to your investment portfolio.

NPS (National Pension System)
NPS is a retirement-focused investment scheme with both equity and debt options. It offers tax benefits under Section 80CCD(1B) over and above the limit of Section 80C. NPS can be beneficial for building a retirement corpus, especially if you seek tax savings and long-term wealth accumulation.

FDs (Fixed Deposits)
FDs offer fixed returns over a specified period, providing stability to your portfolio. However, the returns may be relatively lower compared to mutual funds, PPF, or NPS. FDs can be suitable for short-term goals or as part of your emergency fund due to their liquidity.

Considerations for Your Portfolio
Risk Tolerance
Assess your risk tolerance and investment objectives before making any decisions. Mutual funds involve market risk but offer the potential for higher returns, whereas PPF, NPS, and FDs provide stability but may offer lower returns.

Tax Planning
As a 'professional', tax planning is crucial. Evaluate the tax benefits offered by PPF and NPS, along with the tax implications of your mutual fund investments. Choose investment avenues that optimize your tax liability while aligning with your financial goals.

Diversification
Diversifying your investment portfolio across different asset classes can mitigate risk and enhance returns. Consider a balanced approach by allocating funds to mutual funds for growth, PPF or NPS for tax-efficient long-term wealth accumulation, and FDs for stability and liquidity.

Conclusion
While mutual funds offer growth potential, diversifying your portfolio with PPF, NPS, or FDs can provide stability, tax benefits, and additional avenues for wealth accumulation. Evaluate your financial goals, risk tolerance, and tax planning requirements to make informed investment decisions.

If you need personalized advice or assistance in structuring your investment portfolio, feel free to reach out. I'm here to help you optimize your investments and achieve your financial objectives.

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.