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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8632 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
Tanmay Question by Tanmay on May 15, 2024Hindi
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Money

I am 36 yrs , working as a educator in govt college getting in hand 80k/month ,sip of 4500 ,pls suggest best investment plan for children higher education and corpus of 2 cr till 55

Ans: Planning for Your Children's Higher Education and Building a ?2 Crore Corpus
Understanding Your Goals and Current Financial Situation
Congratulations on prioritizing your children's education and financial security. With your dedication and a well-structured plan, achieving a corpus of ?2 crore by the age of 55 is feasible.

Compliments on Your Responsible Approach
Your commitment to securing your children's future education is commendable. Your proactive approach to financial planning will undoubtedly benefit your family in the long run.

Evaluating Investment Options
SIP Investment:

Currently investing ?4,500 per month.
Consider increasing SIP amount gradually to align with your target corpus.
Income and Expenses:

Monthly in-hand income: ?80,000.
Assess your monthly expenses to identify surplus funds for investment.
Investment Horizon and Risk Profile:

Goal: Achieve ?2 crore corpus by age 55.
With a long-term horizon, a balanced approach with moderate risk is advisable.
Tailored Investment Strategies
Education Fund for Children:

Open a dedicated education fund for each child.
Allocate a portion of your monthly surplus towards these funds.
Diversified Investment Portfolio:

Consider a mix of equity, debt, and hybrid mutual funds.
Aim for a diversified portfolio to mitigate risk and optimize returns.
Systematic Investment Planning (SIP):

Increase SIP contributions annually to align with your financial goals.
Regularly review and rebalance your portfolio as needed.
Tax-Efficient Investments:

Explore tax-saving investment options like ELSS funds to optimize tax benefits.
Utilize tax-saving instruments effectively to maximize returns.
Emergency Fund Provision:

Maintain a separate emergency fund equivalent to at least 6-12 months of expenses.
Ensure liquidity to cover unforeseen expenses without impacting your investment corpus.
Monitoring and Reviewing Your Plan
Regular Portfolio Review:

Assess your portfolio's performance at least annually.
Make adjustments based on changing market conditions and financial goals.
Education Fund Tracking:

Monitor the growth of your children's education funds.
Adjust contributions as necessary to ensure they remain on track.
Financial Advisor Consultation:

Consider consulting a certified financial planner periodically.
Get personalized advice on optimizing your investment strategy.
Conclusion
By adopting a disciplined approach to investing and gradually increasing your SIP contributions, you can achieve your goal of building a ?2 crore corpus for your children's education and your retirement. Stay focused, review your progress regularly, and make informed decisions to ensure financial security for your family's future.

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  |8632 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 29, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - May 24, 2025
Money
Dear Sir, I am 37 years old with two kids aged 8 and 3. My income is 1.5 lakhs per month. I have 4.5 lakhs in NPS corporate with monthly contribution of 8.5K and paying 2K monthly in PPF for both my kids, which got accumulated to 2.5 Lakhs for elder one and 1.25 lakhs for younger one respectively. I have a house worth 60 lakh, recently completed the home loan. I have ancestral property worth 4 cr in metro. I want to start planning for my both child's higher education and for retirement life. Please provide an investment plan that would help me to achieve my goal
Ans: Current Financial Situation and Income Overview
Age is 37 years with two children aged 8 and 3 years.

Monthly income is Rs. 1.5 lakhs, a steady cash flow.

Existing investments include Rs. 4.5 lakhs in NPS corporate, with Rs. 8,500 monthly contributions.

PPF contributions for both kids total Rs. 2,000 monthly, accumulated to Rs. 2.5 lakh and Rs. 1.25 lakh respectively.

You own a house worth Rs. 60 lakhs with the home loan fully repaid, which is a significant achievement.

Ancestral property worth Rs. 4 crore in a metro city adds to your asset base.

You want to plan for children’s higher education and your retirement.

Appreciating Your Current Financial Discipline
Clearing your home loan early has reduced financial burden.

Consistent contributions to NPS and PPF show disciplined investing.

Having assets like ancestral property gives you financial strength and backup.

Supporting two kids with ongoing education expenses is well managed.

Your income level supports regular savings and investment capacity.

Setting Clear Goals for Education and Retirement
Higher education for both children will require substantial funds in the future.

Retirement planning must ensure a comfortable lifestyle post career.

Balancing these goals needs a structured investment and cash flow plan.

Education goal is medium-term; retirement is long-term but requires early planning.

Education Planning for Children
Currently, your children are at ages 8 and 3, so education expenses will rise soon.

PPF contributions for children are good for safety and guaranteed returns but grow slowly.

Consider additional investment avenues with better growth potential for education corpus.

Actively managed equity mutual funds can provide higher returns than passive funds over time.

Start dedicated SIPs for each child’s education goal based on the number of years left.

Adjust asset allocation by increasing equity exposure now, reducing risk gradually as funds are needed.

Regularly review education funds to ensure on-track growth.

Retirement Planning Considerations
NPS contributions are a good start but need top-up to meet retirement corpus goals.

Diversify retirement investments across equity, debt, and balanced funds for risk control.

Increase your retirement savings percentage as income grows.

Actively managed mutual funds outperform index funds in Indian markets due to dynamic management.

Consider increasing SIP amounts gradually and invest through a Certified Financial Planner for better guidance.

Use PPF and other tax-advantaged options effectively but don’t rely solely on them due to lower returns.

Maintain liquidity and emergency fund separate from retirement corpus.

Asset Utilisation and Management
Your ancestral property can be a financial backup but should not be treated as a retirement or education corpus.

Real estate is illiquid and may not grow as consistently as financial investments.

Focus on creating a liquid investment portfolio that can be accessed as needed.

Avoid investing more in real estate for corpus growth.

Insurance and Risk Management
Ensure your and your family’s life insurance coverage is sufficient to protect against uncertainties.

Review any existing insurance policies; if they are investment cum insurance, consider surrendering and investing in mutual funds for clarity and returns.

Health insurance coverage is critical; ensure you have adequate family health protection beyond employer benefits.

Maintain an emergency fund to cover 6 to 12 months of expenses.

Expense Management and Cash Flow
Track monthly expenses carefully to avoid overspending.

Allocate a fixed portion of income to investments before spending.

Avoid taking new loans; maintain debt-free status for financial freedom.

Adjust contribution amounts yearly to factor in inflation and income changes.

Tax Planning and Investment Efficiency
Make the most of tax-saving options like NPS, PPF, and eligible deductions under income tax.

Understand capital gains tax impact on mutual funds: long-term equity gains above Rs. 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%.

Plan mutual fund redemptions considering tax efficiency.

Regular funds via MFD with CFP guidance offer better tax and portfolio management than direct funds.

Portfolio Review and Rebalancing
Annual portfolio reviews with a Certified Financial Planner are essential.

Rebalance portfolio based on age, goals, and market conditions.

Gradually reduce risk as you approach education milestones and retirement age.

Keep some portion in safer instruments to protect capital.

Practical Steps to Implement Immediately
Increase your monthly SIPs in actively managed equity mutual funds for children’s education and retirement.

Continue PPF for children but do not rely solely on it for big goals.

Increase NPS contributions if possible for retirement corpus growth.

Check insurance policies for cost-effectiveness and surrender if investment-linked.

Keep emergency funds readily accessible.

Avoid fresh loans and focus on savings and investment growth.

Final Insights
Your disciplined approach and asset base provide a strong foundation.

Active mutual fund investments with professional guidance will accelerate wealth creation.

Planning for two children’s education and retirement simultaneously is possible with clear goals.

Maintain risk balance by shifting asset allocation as timelines shorten.

Regular reviews and step-up contributions will keep you on track.

Avoid real estate investments for corpus; focus on liquid financial products.

Insurance and emergency funds are key to protecting your financial plan.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

..Read more

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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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