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Ramalingam Kalirajan |10879 Answers |Ask -Follow

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 03, 2025

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

Question by amit on Sep 01, 2025Hindi

Sir, I am 45. Have 75 Lacs in pure equity mutual funds. No loan or other liability. Monthly expense is 50000. I have a house which I will sell and get 45 Lacs. Job is not certain...I may work for 5 years maximum. 1) How should I allocate my 45 lacs among mutual funds. I am planning to put 35 lacs in debt funds (short and medium term) and 10 lacs in Gold ETF. Please suggest right approach.

Ans: You have done very well till now. You have saved well and kept yourself debt-free. That itself gives a big head-start. You have clear thoughts about asset allocation. That is a very important step. I appreciate your discipline and clarity.

Let us now look at this with a complete and practical view. We will see risks, opportunities, liquidity needs, future income gaps, and wealth growth.

» Assessing your current position

– You are 45 years old.

– You have Rs 75 lakhs in pure equity mutual funds.

– You have no loans or liabilities.

– Your monthly expense is Rs 50,000.

– You own a house that you plan to sell. It will give Rs 45 lakhs.

– You may work for only 5 more years.

This means, after 5 years, you may need to depend fully on investments. At Rs 50,000 monthly expense, that is Rs 6 lakhs per year. You must make sure your assets generate at least that much, adjusted for inflation.

» Key challenges and opportunities

– Job uncertainty means you must plan for both best and worst scenarios.

– You already have large exposure to equity. That can grow well but may be volatile.

– You will soon get Rs 45 lakhs. This will need correct allocation to balance safety and growth.

– Inflation is a silent risk. At 6% inflation, your Rs 50,000 expense will double in about 12 years.

– You must make sure money lasts even if you live long.

– Your no-loan, high-equity base is very helpful. You can plan with flexibility.

» Evaluating your idea

You plan:

– Rs 35 lakhs in debt funds (short and medium-term).

– Rs 10 lakhs in Gold ETF.

Let us analyse:

Debt funds will give safety and liquidity. But returns will likely be 6% to 7% pre-tax. After tax, effective return may be lower. This can preserve capital but may not beat inflation.

Gold ETFs are a good hedge in small quantity. But gold does not generate income. It only works as a store of value and crisis hedge. Too much gold reduces portfolio efficiency.

Your existing Rs 75 lakhs in equity mutual funds is large. At age 45 with job uncertainty, you may need a more balanced mix.

So, keeping all in equity and debt only may leave your portfolio vulnerable either to low returns or high risk.

» Rebalancing equity and debt exposure

You now have Rs 75 lakhs in equity. Soon, Rs 45 lakhs more will come from house sale. If you keep that Rs 45 lakhs all in debt and gold, your total portfolio will be:

– Rs 75 lakhs equity (about 62%)

– Rs 35 lakhs debt (about 29%)

– Rs 10 lakhs gold (about 8%)

This is a reasonable balance for growth and stability. But it depends on which equity and debt funds you choose. Also, risk capacity may drop once job stops.

A smoother path would be:

– Equity: 50% to 55% of total wealth (for growth).

– Debt: 40% to 45% (for safety and income).

– Gold: 5% to 8% (for hedge).

Your current plan is close to this. But you must refine fund types and withdrawal strategy.

» Choosing right debt fund types

Avoid taking very short-term or liquid funds for long-term stability. They give low return.

Avoid very long-term gilt or constant maturity funds. They have high interest-rate risk.

Best approach: mix of short-duration and medium-duration funds. That balances safety and return.

Use high-quality, actively managed funds. Avoid chasing high yield with credit risk.

Keep part in ultra-short-term funds for emergency money.

For 5-year and beyond needs, use medium-duration or dynamic bond funds.

Remember: debt funds now get taxed at your income slab. So tax-efficient planning matters.

» Understanding gold role carefully

Gold is a good crisis hedge.

Keep it around 5% of total wealth.

Holding 10 lakhs out of total 1.2 crore is slightly above 8%. That is okay but can be trimmed later if equity market corrects and you rebalance.

Avoid over-allocating to gold as it does not generate cash flow.

» Equity funds strategy refinement

You already have Rs 75 lakhs in equity mutual funds. Review them now.

Ensure they are spread across large, flexi, and mid-cap actively managed funds.

Avoid sector funds, thematic funds, or high-risk small caps beyond limit.

Do not use index funds. Index funds cannot beat the market. They deliver average return, before cost. In volatile times, actively managed funds can navigate better. Skilled fund managers help reduce risk. They book profit, shift sectors, and adjust allocations. Index funds cannot do this.

Actively managed funds with a Certified Financial Planner guidance create more value with risk control.

» Avoid direct plans if you use mutual funds

Many investors think direct plans give more return. In practice, direct plans save cost but remove personalised advice. Without guidance, wrong asset mix or panic exit kills value.

Regular plans through a Certified Financial Planner with MFD support give:

– Correct fund selection.

– Correct rebalancing at right time.

– Emotional discipline.

– Tax planning support.

That small cost often saves bigger mistakes.

» Planning for income after job stops

In 5 years, if job stops, you must draw income. Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWP) from mutual funds can work well.

Keep 2 to 3 years’ expenses in ultra-short-term or short-duration debt funds. That money should be easy to access.

Keep the rest in a balanced mix of equity and debt. This helps growth and preserves capital.

Withdraw only what is needed. Let remaining wealth grow.

Review every year with your Certified Financial Planner. Adjust based on inflation, health, and market conditions.

» Risk management and safety net

Keep health insurance active and adequate. Medical costs can disrupt wealth.

Keep an emergency fund separate. At least 6 to 12 months of expenses in a safe debt fund.

Keep nomination and estate planning ready. Make a clear Will. It saves family stress later.

» Tax planning for withdrawals

When selling equity mutual funds, LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.

STCG on equity is taxed at 20%.

Debt fund gains are taxed at your slab.

This means, withdraw carefully. Use tax slabs smartly. Spread withdrawals if possible.

» Finally

You are in a strong position. You have saved well and kept life simple. You have time to adjust.

Your plan to allocate Rs 45 lakhs mainly to debt is logical. It adds safety and gives a base for income later. A small gold holding is fine as a hedge. But do not add more.

Revisit your entire portfolio once a year. Adjust equity and debt ratio to keep risk in control. Ensure active fund management and guidance through a Certified Financial Planner. Avoid index and direct funds.

Your future depends not just on returns but on peace and discipline. You already have both courage and clarity. Stay the course with small, smart adjustments.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

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