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40-Year-Old With 2.5 Lakhs Monthly Savings: How Much for Retirement?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7101 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 16, 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
Abhishek Question by Abhishek on Jun 18, 2024Hindi
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Hi, I am 40 years old, stay with wife , no kids. My monthly take home salary is 1,00,000. I have yearly contributions towards Tax saver mutual funds of 1,20,000. PPF of 30,000 and NPS of 50,000. Investment towards non tax saver mutual funds of 36,000 for last 3 years. 23,000 is my rent and 50,000 is my monthly family expense. I have a house in my native where my mother stay with approx valuation of 50L. Wife has a plot in her native which is priced 1Cr as of today. Please suggest what should be my retirement corpus and how to achieve the same.

Ans: You have a monthly take-home salary of Rs. 1,00,000. Your annual investments are:

Tax Saver Mutual Funds: Rs. 1,20,000
PPF: Rs. 30,000
NPS: Rs. 50,000
Non-Tax Saver Mutual Funds: Rs. 36,000
Your monthly expenses are:

Rent: Rs. 23,000
Family Expenses: Rs. 50,000
Evaluating Existing Investments
Your current investments in tax saver and non-tax saver mutual funds, PPF, and NPS are good. These will help build your retirement corpus over time.

Estimating Retirement Corpus
Assume you plan to retire at 60 and live till 85. You need a retirement corpus to cover 25 years. Considering inflation and current expenses, your retirement corpus should be substantial.

Steps to Achieve Retirement Corpus
Increase Monthly Savings: You have Rs. 27,000 left after expenses. Allocate this to your retirement savings.

Diversify Investments: Continue investing in mutual funds and NPS. Consider increasing your SIP amounts gradually.

Review and Adjust Investments: Regularly review your portfolio. Adjust based on market conditions and financial goals.

Consider Health Insurance: Ensure you have adequate health insurance. This protects your savings from medical emergencies.

Emergency Fund: Maintain an emergency fund. This should cover 6-12 months of expenses.

Property Valuation
Your house and wife's plot are significant assets. Though not recommended for real estate investment, they provide financial security.

Final Insights
You are on the right track with diversified investments. Increase your savings, review regularly, and ensure you are covered for emergencies. This will help you achieve a secure retirement.

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  |7101 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Nov 04, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 03, 2024Hindi
Money
Hi Sir. Can you pls tell me how to calculate my retirement corpus? I am 40 years old and plan to retire at the age of 50. At present, I need 50K per month for my expenses and I expect to stay alive till the age of 80. Also, I prefer having my retirement corpus in FD and Post Office deposits (I find MFs and Stock Markets risky). Pls provide detailed calculations for me to understand and improvise at my end. I look forward to your response. Thank You.
Ans: Your commitment to planning a secure future is excellent.

To help you understand, I’ll break down the process of calculating your retirement corpus step-by-step.

Step 1: Estimating Monthly Retirement Expenses
Current Monthly Expenses: At present, you need Rs 50,000 monthly.

Adjusting for Inflation: Since you plan to retire in 10 years, consider how inflation will affect your expenses. Assuming inflation at 6%, your monthly expenses at retirement may be higher. This will help ensure your savings retain their purchasing power.

Estimation for Future Needs: Multiply your current expenses by 1.06 (for 6% inflation) each year until your retirement at 50.

Step 2: Planning the Retirement Duration
Retirement Period: You plan to retire at 50 and expect your corpus to last until 80. That’s a 30-year retirement span.

Monthly Withdrawals: To sustain these 30 years, plan for monthly withdrawals that cover your expected expenses, adjusted for inflation. This approach will ensure financial security across your retirement.

Step 3: Estimating Your Total Corpus Requirement
Cumulative Value of Withdrawals: Sum up the monthly withdrawals needed for each year of retirement, considering inflation. This will give a cumulative corpus amount that accounts for both longevity and rising costs.

Building a Safe Corpus: Generally, for a 30-year retirement period, a corpus amounting to 20-25 times your first year’s retirement expenses is recommended. This serves as a buffer against market fluctuations and unexpected costs.

Step 4: Accounting for Interest Earned in Fixed Deposits and Post Office Schemes
Expected Returns: Fixed deposits and post-office schemes provide stable returns, but often at lower rates than inflation. Estimate a conservative return rate (typically around 6-7%) to plan effectively.

Balancing Growth with Safety: These traditional options offer security but may not keep pace with inflation over the long term. This makes it essential to build a slightly higher corpus to ensure your purchasing power remains strong throughout retirement.

Reinvestment Strategy: Since FD and Post Office returns are predictable, reinvesting interest annually can help extend the life of your corpus.

Step 5: Creating an Emergency and Healthcare Fund
Setting Aside Funds: Healthcare costs and unexpected expenses are likely in retirement. A separate emergency fund, ideally amounting to 1-2 years’ worth of expenses, is recommended.

Healthcare Provisions: With rising medical costs, consider maintaining an additional fund specifically for healthcare. Medical expenses typically rise faster than general inflation, making this fund crucial for peace of mind.

Step 6: Tax Planning for Fixed Deposits and Post Office Deposits
Interest Income Taxation: Interest earned from FDs and Post Office schemes is fully taxable as per your income tax slab. Account for this while planning withdrawals, as it impacts the effective income you’ll have each year.

Effective Net Income: Deduct estimated taxes from your total annual withdrawals. Planning for post-tax income helps maintain your target monthly expenses and ensures a smoother cash flow.

Step 7: Strategies to Beat Inflation Without High-Risk Investments
Diversify Across Safe Avenues: While FDs and Post Office schemes offer safety, they might not outpace inflation. Diversifying slightly within low-risk options, like senior citizen savings schemes, could be beneficial.

Consider Hybrid Options: Even low-risk hybrid funds have the potential to slightly improve returns over time. This can give your corpus a buffer without high market exposure.

Avoiding Complete Reliance on FDs: Since FDs can sometimes fall short of inflation, a balanced approach might help you gain a modest edge without sacrificing safety.

Step 8: Monitoring and Adjusting Regularly
Annual Review: Reviewing your retirement corpus and expenses yearly ensures you stay aligned with inflation and lifestyle changes.

Plan Adjustments: Adjusting for inflation and unexpected expenses allows your corpus to adapt over time. Rebalance your withdrawals if expenses are higher or returns are lower than expected.

Flexible Withdrawal Strategy: Adjust monthly withdrawals based on interest earned and actual expenses. A flexible approach helps in balancing between spending and preserving corpus longevity.

Step 9: Considering Alternatives to Traditional Fixed Deposits
Shortcomings of Complete FD Reliance: FDs are secure but may not fully protect against inflation over the long term. Balancing FDs with a mix of low-risk alternatives helps maintain purchasing power.

Post Office MIS as an Option: While also low-risk, schemes like Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (MIS) provide steady returns. These can be complementary to FDs, adding diversification without exposure to market volatility.

Final Insights
With a structured approach to your retirement planning, you’re already well on track. Staying informed on inflation, interest, and changing expenses will keep your retirement fund robust. Planning with a Certified Financial Planner is recommended to keep your approach aligned with your needs.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7101 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Nov 04, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 03, 2024Hindi
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Hello Sunil Sir. Can you pls tell me how to calculate my retirement corpus? I am 40 years old and plan to retire at the age of 50. At present, I need 50K per month for my expenses and I expect to stay alive till the age of 80. Also, I prefer having my retirement corpus in FD and Post Office deposits (I find MFs and Stock Markets risky). Pls provide detailed calculations for me to understand and improvise at my end. I look forward to your kind response. Thank You.
Ans: Planning a retirement corpus at 40 with a retirement age of 50 is ambitious. You have a clear view of your needs, which is commendable. To plan effectively, it’s essential to understand the value of your current expenses at the time you retire and then sustain them for a long retirement period.

 

Current Monthly Expenses: Rs 50,000

Expected Retirement Age: 50 years

Life Expectancy: 80 years

 

This implies that your retirement corpus should last for 30 years. Given inflation and your preference for conservative investment options, you will need to plan for a larger corpus to ensure adequate income in retirement.

 

Step 1: Adjusting for Inflation

Inflation is crucial in retirement planning. Over 10 years, inflation will increase your expenses significantly.

 

Assumed Inflation Rate: Typically, 6-7% is assumed.

Future Monthly Expense: With inflation, your current Rs 50,000 might grow to Rs 1 lakh or more by retirement age.

Annual Expense Post-Retirement: Your new monthly expense will help determine annual needs post-retirement.

 

Since inflation will gradually increase, your corpus must be large enough to cover these future expenses.

 

Step 2: Calculating Total Corpus Requirement

To sustain a steady income in retirement, we need to calculate the corpus amount that can generate this income, adjusted for inflation. Since you prefer FD and Post Office Deposits, we’ll assume a conservative return rate.

 

Estimated Returns: Bank FDs and Post Office deposits typically yield 6-7% returns, which is moderate and stable.

Drawdown Plan: You will need to draw from this corpus every month to meet expenses without exhausting it prematurely.

 

Given these conservative returns, your corpus will need to be substantial. To get the estimated figure, calculate it based on generating Rs 1 lakh per month for 30 years.

 

Step 3: Accounting for Conservative Returns

Investments in FDs and Post Office Deposits will likely yield returns similar to inflation, meaning your purchasing power might erode over time. A larger corpus will help cushion against this risk.

 

Corpus Estimate: To provide Rs 1 lakh per month, plan for a corpus ranging between Rs 3 crore and Rs 4 crore.
 

Step 4: Building Your Corpus in the Next 10 Years

Since you’re 40, you have 10 years to accumulate this corpus. Saving in conservative options like FDs alone may not help you reach this goal comfortably. Here’s a structured approach:

 

Primary Allocation: Consider investing in high-interest Post Office schemes and senior savings schemes after retirement, as they offer stable returns.

Supplementary Allocation: SIPs in balanced funds or low-volatility debt funds could provide higher returns over 10 years, despite your risk aversion. Regular mutual funds, managed by qualified professionals, can offer an optimal balance of safety and returns.

 

Step 5: Emergency and Liquidity Planning

For a secure retirement, it’s also essential to have liquid funds to meet any unforeseen expenses. Keeping 10-15% of your retirement corpus in liquid funds, like savings accounts or short-term FDs, ensures easy access.

 

Step 6: Health and Insurance Considerations

Your retirement corpus should also factor in healthcare needs, as medical costs typically rise with age. Maintaining a health insurance policy can help offset any major medical expenses, preserving your retirement funds.

 

Final Insights

Planning for a 30-year retirement requires diligence and a diversified approach. While FDs and Post Office schemes are reliable, consider combining them with well-managed mutual funds for a more comprehensive solution. This will help you accumulate a corpus large enough to provide for your needs while maintaining flexibility.

 

Best Regards,
 
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP
Chief Financial Planner
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

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Asked by Anonymous - May 11, 2024Hindi
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Can you please suggest on capital gains as per Indian taxation laws arising in the below two queries : 1) property purchased with joint ownership, me and my wife’s name in 2015 at a cost of 64,80,000, housing improvements done for the cost of 1000000 and brokerages of 200000 paid and sold the same property at 10000000 in Dec 2023? 2) 87% of the proceeds got from the deal i.e 8700000, have been reinvested to pay 25% amount in purchasing another joint ownership property in Dec 2023, 3) I have invested in another under construction property in Nov 2023 by taking housing loan, which is on me and my wife’s name worth 1.4 cr, here the primary applicant is me only while wife is just made a Co applicant in the builder buyer agreement and also on the housing loan . So what are the LTCG tax liabilities arising from the above 3 scenarios for FY 2023-2024 and FY 2024-2025. I intend to sale off the property acquired in (2) by Dec 2024 and use that proceeds to close the housing loan for the property acquired in (3), will this sale of property be inviting any tax liabilities if the complete proceeds received from the sale of the property in (2) would be utilised to close the housing loan taken in Nov 2023 for the property in (3) ? Since in FY 23-24, I would be claiming the LTCG from the sale proceeds of 1) invested in the purchase of property in 2), and I intend to sale off this property in Dec 2024, will the LTCG claim be forfeited on the property sale in (1), should I hold this property at least for further 1 year so that sale of this property in 2) will not invite STCG?
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You jointly sold a Property during the year for Rs.76.80 lakhs (64.80+10.00+2.00), & sold the same for Rs.100.00 lakhs.
You have jointly also purchased Property No.3 (I suppose it is Residential only), for Rs.140.00 lakhs.
You should avail exemption u/s-54 & file your ITR accordingly. Please disclose all details about sale & purchase in your ITR.
02. Now coming to the F/Y 2024-25 :
You intend to Sell Property No.2, which was acquired in 2023-24. Any Gain on Sale of it would be Short Term capital Gains & taxed accordingly.
Alternatively, you may hold this sale of property no.2 (for 2 years from its purchase) & avoid STCG
You are free to utilize the sale proceeds in a way you like, including paying off your housing Loan.
Please note to avail exemption u/s 54 only from investment in property no.3 & not 2.
Most welcome for any further clarifications. Thanks.

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