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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8204 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 14, 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
solomon Question by solomon on Jun 13, 2024Hindi
Money

Sir, I am 43 years old living in UAE, with FD of 10L and current MF accumulation of 1.04 Cr and monthly SIP 50K along. I have a 2BHK apartment in Chennai which yields a rent of 8000 Rs and a 3-bedroom house inherited from my parents as gift where we live currently. Along with this we have 2400 Sq ft of land in Chennai and 3000 Sq ft of land in Madurai. I am contributing 69K yearly for the last 11 years in my name until 2035 (expected returns 30Lakhs), 28K yearly in my daughter’s name until 2034 (expected returns 10Lakhs). Addition to this i have icici pru gift long terms with annual payment of 2L Rs on my name (to pay for another 10 years and the return of 16K per month) icici future perfect 1L Rs (to pay for another 10 years). Will receive a sum of 5L Rs from a LIC policy which is getting matured this year and a Term policy of 2 Cr for which I must pay 47K annually and it must be paid for another 22 years and 20 Lakhs worth of gold. I wish to invest in stocks in the next 7 years with an average risk and stop SIP at the age of 50. I have a 9th grade daughter who wishes to pursue Medicine and a son who is in grade 2. I wish to retire at the age of 50 (7 years from now) and start consulting. Could you please guide me how much corpus I should create in the next 7 years to live a normal lifestyle and ensure to pay the balance ICICI investments and my daughters’ education regards Raj

Ans: Current Financial Situation
Raj, you have done a commendable job in managing your finances and building a diversified portfolio. Let's assess your current financial landscape.

Fixed Deposits and Mutual Funds
You have a fixed deposit (FD) of Rs 10 lakhs and a mutual fund (MF) portfolio worth Rs 1.04 crore. You also contribute Rs 50,000 monthly to SIPs. This shows a disciplined approach towards long-term wealth creation.

Real Estate Holdings
You own a 2BHK apartment in Chennai, which generates a rental income of Rs 8,000 per month, and a 3-bedroom house inherited from your parents. Additionally, you possess 2400 sq ft of land in Chennai and 3000 sq ft of land in Madurai.

Insurance and Investments
You have various insurance and investment plans:

Annual contribution of Rs 69,000 for yourself until 2035 (expected returns Rs 30 lakhs).
Annual contribution of Rs 28,000 for your daughter until 2034 (expected returns Rs 10 lakhs).
ICICI Pru Gift Long Term with an annual payment of Rs 2 lakhs, yielding Rs 16,000 monthly after maturity.
ICICI Future Perfect with an annual payment of Rs 1 lakh for another 10 years.
LIC policy maturing this year with a sum assured of Rs 5 lakhs.
Term policy with a cover of Rs 2 crore, annual premium Rs 47,000 for the next 22 years.
Gold worth Rs 20 lakhs.
Family Commitments
Your daughter, currently in 9th grade, aspires to pursue medicine. Your son is in grade 2. You plan to retire at 50 and transition into consulting.

Financial Goals
To ensure a smooth transition into retirement and meet your financial obligations, let's break down your goals:

Retirement Corpus
Daughter's Education
Continuation of Investments
Living Expenses Post-Retirement
Retirement Corpus
You plan to retire in 7 years. To maintain a comfortable lifestyle post-retirement, you need to determine a retirement corpus. This corpus should cover your monthly expenses, healthcare, and unforeseen emergencies.

Daughter's Education
Medical education is expensive. It is crucial to allocate sufficient funds for your daughter's medical education to avoid financial stress later.

Continuation of Investments
You have ongoing investments that require continued funding. Ensuring these are adequately funded until their maturity is essential for maximizing returns.

Living Expenses Post-Retirement
Post-retirement, you will require a steady income to cover living expenses. Your rental income, SIP returns, and maturity proceeds from insurance plans will contribute to this.

Strategy to Achieve Financial Goals
To meet your financial goals efficiently, consider the following strategies:

Increase SIP Contributions
Currently, you invest Rs 50,000 monthly in SIPs. Increasing this amount will help accumulate a larger corpus. Given your current financial stability, consider increasing your SIP contributions by 10-15% annually. This will compound your wealth significantly over the next 7 years.

Diversify Mutual Fund Investments
Review your mutual fund portfolio and diversify across various sectors and market caps. Actively managed funds tend to outperform index funds in the long run due to professional fund management and active stock selection. This can provide better returns and reduce risks.

Surrender Low-Yield Insurance Policies
Your LIC policy maturing this year will yield Rs 5 lakhs. Reinvest this amount in mutual funds for better returns. Assess the ICICI Pru Gift Long Term and ICICI Future Perfect plans. If they are not performing well, consider surrendering them and reinvesting in higher-yield mutual funds. This can maximize returns and provide better growth opportunities for your investments.

Plan for Daughter's Education
Estimate the total cost of your daughter's medical education, including tuition fees, living expenses, and other costs. Create a dedicated education fund using a mix of debt and equity mutual funds. This will ensure safety and growth of the corpus.

Utilize Gold Holdings
Your gold holdings worth Rs 20 lakhs can be a valuable asset. Consider partial liquidation of gold to fund higher-yield investments. Alternatively, keep the gold as a hedge against inflation and as a contingency fund.

Create an Emergency Fund
Ensure you have an emergency fund covering at least 6-12 months of living expenses. This fund should be in a liquid asset class, such as a liquid mutual fund or a high-interest savings account, to access funds readily in case of emergencies.

Investment in Mutual Funds
Instead of investing directly in stocks, mutual funds can provide a balanced approach to achieving your financial goals with moderate risk. Here are the benefits:

Professional Management: Mutual funds are managed by professional fund managers who have the expertise to make informed investment decisions.
Diversification: Mutual funds provide diversification across various sectors and asset classes, reducing overall risk.
Liquidity: Mutual funds offer liquidity, allowing you to redeem your investments as needed.
Tax Efficiency: Equity mutual funds held for more than a year qualify for long-term capital gains tax benefits.
Increase SIP Contributions in Mutual Funds
Currently, you invest Rs 50,000 monthly in SIPs. Increasing this amount will help accumulate a larger corpus. Given your current financial stability, consider increasing your SIP contributions by 10-15% annually. This will compound your wealth significantly over the next 7 years.

Diversify Mutual Fund Investments
Review your mutual fund portfolio and diversify across various sectors and market caps. Actively managed funds tend to outperform index funds in the long run due to professional fund management and active stock selection. This can provide better returns and reduce risks.

Corpus Calculation for Retirement
To estimate the corpus required for retirement, consider the following:

Monthly Living Expenses: Calculate your current monthly expenses and account for inflation.
Healthcare Costs: Factor in healthcare costs, which tend to rise with age.
Contingency Fund: Include a contingency fund for unforeseen expenses.
Desired Lifestyle: Consider the lifestyle you wish to maintain post-retirement.
Monthly Living Expenses
Assume your current monthly expenses are Rs 50,000. Accounting for inflation at 6%, these expenses will rise over the next 7 years.

Healthcare Costs
Healthcare costs can be substantial post-retirement. Ensure you have comprehensive health insurance and allocate a part of your corpus towards healthcare.

Contingency Fund
Set aside at least 10% of your retirement corpus for emergencies. This ensures financial security during unforeseen circumstances.

Desired Lifestyle
Factor in any lifestyle changes you wish to make post-retirement, such as travel, hobbies, or relocation.

Final Insights
Raj, your current financial situation is strong, with a diversified portfolio and substantial assets. To ensure a comfortable retirement and meet your financial goals, focus on increasing SIP contributions, diversifying mutual fund investments, and planning adequately for your daughter's education. Reviewing insurance policies and reallocating funds to higher-yield investments will optimize your returns. Investing in mutual funds can provide balanced growth and reduce risk, ensuring financial security post-retirement.

Building a robust retirement corpus requires careful planning and disciplined investing. With the right strategies, you can achieve your financial goals and enjoy a comfortable retirement while ensuring your family's financial security.

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 Jul 16, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 16, 2024Hindi
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I am 37 years , married with 2 years old child, planning for retirement, education and marriage of child.. i have 12 l in FD, 21 l in lumpsum mutual fund, SIP for a year totalling 17000 per month, total assets worth 3 crores.. health insurance worth 1 crore. 3 term plans being paid for and active.. and i make 1.5 lakhs give or take a month.. .. i have started contributing to ssy account and have a education policy in aditya birla too worth around 8 lakhs at the time of maturity .. i have one pension fund being paid for 58000 per year for 15 years, already paid for 10 years... I need a corpus of 5 to 7crores within next 25 years.. am i doing enough? I have no loans or liabilities
Ans: You're on a solid path with your financial planning. Let's assess and refine your strategy to achieve your goals.

Review Current Investments

Your FD of Rs 12 lakhs and lump sum mutual funds of Rs 21 lakhs are good. Your SIP of Rs 17,000 per month shows discipline.

Consider Increasing SIP Amounts

Increasing your SIP amounts gradually can help you reach your corpus goal faster. This can leverage the power of compounding.

Allocate Funds for Retirement

Your goal of 5 to 7 crores in 25 years is achievable. Continue investing in diversified equity mutual funds for long-term growth.

Child's Education and Marriage

Your SSY contributions are a smart move. Consider child-specific mutual funds for additional growth.

Evaluate Your Pension Fund

Your pension fund contribution of Rs 58,000 per year is good. Ensure it aligns with your retirement goals.

Health and Term Insurance

Your health insurance worth Rs 1 crore and three term plans provide good coverage. Maintain these for family security.

Regularly Review and Adjust

Review your portfolio annually. Adjust based on market conditions and personal financial changes.

Consult a Certified Financial Planner

A CFP can help optimize your investment strategy. They can provide tailored advice for reaching your financial goals.

Stay Focused and Disciplined

Consistent investing and disciplined saving are key. Stay focused on your long-term goals.

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 13, 2024

Money
Sir I have 1.8 Cr in mutual fund and 65 lacs in equity shares ,Sip of 55 thousand per month,Vpf 10000 per month,30 lacs in fd , 20 lac loan given to relative without interest will come in 2 to 3 years.20 lacs in pf, 1.8 lacs in ppf , one plot of value 3 cr and one plot of value 50 lacs with no rental income. I am doing business also and earning yearly approx 20 lacs and I have salary of 1.2 lacs. I am 40 years old and I have 2 kids one daughter 9 years old and son 4 years old. Let me know considering with no salary and so sip and no business now onward and no expenses also.how much corpus will I will get till age of 50 so I can get approx 3 lacs per months.is it workable with this corpus or I have to do more saving.
Ans: Your financial portfolio reflects thoughtful planning and diversification. Here is a breakdown:

Mutual Funds: Rs. 1.8 crore
Equity Shares: Rs. 65 lakhs
SIP: Rs. 55,000 monthly
VPF: Rs. 10,000 monthly
Fixed Deposits: Rs. 30 lakhs
Loan to Relative: Rs. 20 lakhs (to be returned in 2-3 years)
PF: Rs. 20 lakhs
PPF: Rs. 1.8 lakhs
Real Estate: Two plots valued at Rs. 3 crore and Rs. 50 lakhs
Your annual business income of Rs. 20 lakhs and monthly salary of Rs. 1.2 lakhs are also noteworthy. These provide a strong foundation for wealth creation.

You aim to retire at 50 and generate Rs. 3 lakhs per month as income. This requires meticulous planning, particularly if no SIPs or income contributions are made going forward.

Setting Your Financial Goals
Achieving a monthly income of Rs. 3 lakhs from age 50 implies an annual income requirement of Rs. 36 lakhs. To sustain this for a 30-year retirement, your portfolio should provide inflation-adjusted returns consistently.

Key Factors to Consider
Target Corpus: Based on a post-tax return of 6% per annum, you will need Rs. 6-7 crore to achieve this goal.
Inflation: Assume 6% inflation for cost of living adjustments over time.
Current Portfolio Growth: Project your existing assets’ growth over the next 10 years.
Projections of Current Assets
Mutual Funds
Rs. 1.8 crore is a strong equity-oriented asset.
Assuming an annual return of 10%, the corpus could grow to Rs. 4.67 crore in 10 years without additional contributions.
Equity Shares
Rs. 65 lakhs in equities has higher risk but potential for higher returns.
With a conservative annual growth of 8%, this can grow to Rs. 1.4 crore.
Fixed Deposits
Rs. 30 lakhs in FDs provides stability but low growth.
Assuming a 5% return, the corpus will grow to Rs. 49 lakhs.
Loan to Relative
Rs. 20 lakhs returned within 3 years can be reinvested.
Investing this amount in mutual funds with a 10% return for 7 years could yield Rs. 39 lakhs.
VPF, PF, and PPF
Total provident fund investments (Rs. 41.8 lakhs) provide safety and tax-free returns.
With annual contributions and 8% returns, this can grow to Rs. 1.05 crore.
Real Estate
The two plots worth Rs. 3 crore and Rs. 50 lakhs are non-earning.
Selling one and reinvesting in financial assets can improve cash flow.
Strategy for Achieving Your Retirement Goal
Step 1: Optimize Current Investments
Mutual Funds:

Continue SIPs of Rs. 55,000 for at least 3 years.
Ensure a balanced allocation across large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds.
Shift underperforming funds to better-managed schemes.
Avoid index funds, as actively managed funds provide superior returns.
Equity Shares:

Diversify into sectors with long-term growth potential.
Evaluate performance quarterly and consider reallocating underperforming stocks.
VPF and PPF:

Increase PPF contributions to the maximum limit for tax-free compounding.
VPF is a stable instrument; continue contributions.
Fixed Deposits:

Gradually reduce FD holdings.
Reallocate funds to debt mutual funds for better post-tax returns.
Step 2: Plan for Real Estate Monetization
Real estate is a significant portion of your wealth but non-earning.
Selling the Rs. 50 lakh plot and reinvesting the proceeds into mutual funds or debt instruments can boost growth and liquidity.
Step 3: Build Contingency and Liquidity
Maintain Rs. 20 lakhs in liquid funds or FDs for emergencies.
This ensures you can handle unforeseen expenses without disrupting long-term investments.
Tax Efficiency Strategies
Equity and Mutual Funds:

Utilize tax-free thresholds for long-term capital gains.
Plan redemptions to minimize tax outflows.
Debt Investments:

Debt mutual funds are more tax-efficient than FDs. Shift gradually to reduce tax liabilities.
Addressing Key Risks
Inflation Risk
Allocate a significant portion of your portfolio to equity for inflation-adjusted growth.
Longevity Risk
Ensure your corpus lasts for 30+ years. Plan withdrawals conservatively.
Market Volatility
Diversify across asset classes to reduce risks.
Maintain a mix of equity, debt, and safe instruments like PPF.
Final Projections
By age 50, with no additional contributions:

Mutual Funds: Rs. 4.67 crore
Equity Shares: Rs. 1.4 crore
Fixed Deposits: Rs. 49 lakhs
Loan Returns: Rs. 39 lakhs
Provident Funds: Rs. 1.05 crore
Total Corpus: Rs. 7.6 crore (approximately)

Is This Corpus Sufficient?
Yes, this corpus can sustain a monthly withdrawal of Rs. 3 lakhs. However, it assumes disciplined withdrawals and minimal unexpected expenses.

Recommendations to Strengthen the Plan
Continue SIPs and contributions for at least 3 more years.
Monetize one real estate asset to improve liquidity and growth.
Rebalance your portfolio annually to align with market conditions and goals.
Final Insights
You are on track to achieve your retirement goals with your current assets. Regular reviews, disciplined investing, and strategic adjustments will ensure long-term success.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8204 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 08, 2025

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I am 51 years want to park 10 L recieved from LIC. I have Nippon liquid and Axis Short term funds. Where should I keep this,in these debt fund or some other for max return and least risk . Or some balanced advantage funds?
Ans: Since you're 51 years old and the Rs. 10L is from an LIC maturity, I’ll assess this from a 360-degree perspective with low risk and reasonable return focus.

Let us structure this under simple and clear headings:

Understand the Nature of the Rs. 10L
This is a one-time amount, not a regular income.

So, capital protection is important.

Also, some growth is expected, but not with high risk.

Evaluate Your Existing Funds
Nippon Liquid Fund is very low risk.

Good for short-term parking, like few months.

Returns are around 5.5% to 6% yearly.

You can use it if you need money anytime soon.

Axis Short Term Fund is slightly better return.

Slightly higher risk than liquid fund, but still low.

Returns can be around 6% to 7% yearly.

Suitable if you are okay to stay invested for 2-3 years.

Should You Switch to a Balanced Advantage Fund?
These funds invest in both equity and debt.

They adjust the mix based on market conditions.

They give better return than debt if held for 3-5 years.

But, they carry moderate market risk.

Return range can be 8% to 10% per annum.

Not guaranteed, but historically stable.

Suitable if your risk tolerance is moderate.

Also, you must stay invested for at least 3 years.

What You Can Do Now (Allocation Suggestion)
Here is a simple, low-risk and flexible suggestion:

Rs. 2L in Nippon Liquid Fund: For immediate needs.

Rs. 4L in Axis Short Term Fund: Safe with better return.

Rs. 4L in Balanced Advantage Fund (via MFD with CFP): For better growth.

Choose an actively managed regular plan.

Avoid direct plan. They lack support and monitoring.

Regular plans offer advisor support and rebalancing guidance.

Why Not Direct Plan?
Direct plans look cheaper.

But they don’t guide you during market falls.

Many investors panic and exit early.

This leads to poor returns.

With MFD + CFP support, you stay invested longer.

Long-term behaviour matters more than cost.

Why Not Index Funds?
Index funds blindly follow the market.

No protection during market fall.

No fund manager to adjust strategy.

Active large-cap or balanced funds adapt better.

At your age, protection is more important than chasing index.

Important Tax Point
Debt funds and balanced advantage funds are taxed as per income tax slab.

If you hold for 3+ years, tax is less due to indexation benefit in earlier rules.

But now, for debt funds, tax is same as your slab.

So, choose based on your tax slab also.

But do not let tax alone decide. Safety is first.

Final Insights
Your Rs. 10L should grow slowly and stay safe.

Split into 3 buckets: short-term, mid-term, and medium-risk.

Liquid fund for liquidity.

Short-term debt for capital stability.

Balanced advantage for gentle growth.

This mix gives you flexibility, return and low risk.

Please review once a year with a Certified Financial Planner.

He/she will help you shift the mix if your goal or market changes.

No need to chase high returns. Protect capital, grow steadily.

You already took a right step by asking before investing.

That clarity helps avoid mistakes.

With this structure, your money can stay safe and still grow.

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

...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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