
Hello Sir, My wife and me are government officers earning about 3.5 lakhs per month in total. Both of us will retire in next year June and December respectively after 14 years of service and both aged about 37 years. Presently, both are covered with 01 Cr Term insurance each and free medical benifits.
We have about 60 lakhs and 55 lakhs in PF in seperate accounts, about 25 lakhs in shares in my wife's trading app account, 5 lakh rs physical Gold, 2 residential land plots worth about 50 lakhs each and both of us will get about 65-70 lakhs in gratuity and earned leave next year during retirement. We have a car and a 3 lakh rs loan which I am paying in EMI till next year retirement. We have a son aged 6.5 years in class 1st.
We do not own a house. We do not have any pension plan. I will continue to work, for next 8-10 years with a salary of about 3-4 lakhs rs per month in civil streets, wife may work for hobby with 1 lakh rs per month. Please advice on how to achieve our following goals and in case we need to change goals!
1. Retirement pension of about 1.5-2 lakh rs per month after about 8-10 years.
2. Kids college, education & marriage corpus of about 1.5 Cr, which will be needed about after 10 years. For which we are planning a child investment policy with about 3.5 lakh rs investment from this year.
3. A 2/3 bhk house in own purchased land. We are thinking to buy a land parcel worth 45 lakh rs by taking out PF money out.
4. Planning for a construction on either of the land properties i own for a decent rental income after 5-6 years or I will sell them after 5-6 years at about 70 lakh rs each minimum.
5. Emergency savings of about 80 lakhs to 1 Cr.
Any other changes we can apply towards securing our future. Pls advice if we need a ULIP plan/ term plan/ NPS etc and how to save tax?
Ans: It’s commendable that at 37, you and your wife have accumulated considerable assets and are thinking far ahead.
Let me now provide a 360-degree review of your current financials and goals.
– The structure will follow your listed goals and overall situation.
– I will also include some missing perspectives you should consider.
Please read every section carefully.
» Present Income, Age, and Retirement Timeline
– You both earn Rs. 3.5 lakhs monthly.
– Retirement in next year, after 14 years of service.
– Your age is 37 now, and post-retirement civil job plan is excellent.
– Working after retirement ensures continued cash flow.
– Your wife working for interest and earning Rs. 1 lakh is also helpful.
» Current Assets Snapshot
– Rs. 60L and Rs. 55L in PF is a very good base.
– Rs. 25L in equity shares via wife's app — good for long term if quality stocks.
– Rs. 5L in physical gold adds diversification.
– 2 land plots worth Rs. 50L each — no loan burden.
– Rs. 3L loan is small and manageable.
– Rs. 65–70L each expected from gratuity + leave encashment — very useful corpus.
Your financial asset base already crosses Rs. 3.5 crores.
That is a strong start.
» Retirement Pension of Rs. 1.5–2 Lakhs per Month After 8–10 Years
This is the most important part of your planning.
– You need a retirement corpus that gives Rs. 1.5–2L monthly.
– That means Rs. 18L to 24L per year after 8–10 years.
– You will need at least Rs. 3.5 to 4 crores as pure retirement corpus.
– This estimate assumes conservative returns and inflation impact.
Let us examine how to build this:
– PF balance of Rs. 1.15 crore already helps.
– Add gratuity and leave encashment, approx. Rs. 1.3–1.4 crores.
– Total at retirement = Rs. 2.5 crore to Rs. 2.6 crore.
– Add 10 years of future investment after retirement in your civil job.
– If invested wisely, that gives another Rs. 1.5–2 crore.
Your projected total retirement corpus = Rs. 4.5 crore approx.
This is sufficient to target Rs. 1.5–2L monthly pension.
But you must avoid high-risk exposure.
– Don’t depend only on equity shares.
– Add conservative mutual funds, hybrid options.
– Avoid annuities – they give poor returns and low liquidity.
– Prefer flexible options for post-retirement withdrawal.
Use a bucket strategy:
– Short-term (0–3 years): debt mutual funds, liquid funds.
– Medium-term (3–7 years): balanced or hybrid equity funds.
– Long-term (7+ years): equity-oriented active funds.
» Kids College, Education & Marriage Fund (Target Rs. 1.5 Cr in 10 Years)
This is another very clear and strong goal.
Let us assess this step-by-step:
– You are planning Rs. 3.5L investment yearly in child policy.
– Child policies from insurance companies offer low returns.
– ULIPs and child insurance policies mix insurance + investment — avoid them.
Here is a better strategy:
– Invest Rs. 25,000 per month in diversified equity mutual funds.
– Use SIP mode. Prefer actively managed regular mutual funds.
– Avoid index funds. They lack downside protection.
– Don’t use direct mutual funds. Use regular mutual funds via a CFP-qualified MFD.
Benefits of regular funds through a certified planner:
– Portfolio is reviewed and adjusted.
– Guidance during market fall.
– You avoid behavioural mistakes.
– You get asset rebalancing support.
Target for 10 years: Rs. 1.5 crore.
This is possible with Rs. 25,000–30,000 monthly SIP and 10% CAGR returns.
Keep goal investment separate from other savings.
» Buying a New Land Parcel Worth Rs. 45 Lakhs Using PF Money
This is not advisable for your situation.
You already own two plots worth Rs. 1 crore total.
Why avoid new land purchase now?
– You will lose compounding benefits of EPF.
– EPF gives tax-free and risk-free 8%+ return.
– Withdrawing Rs. 45L now for land blocks money in non-productive asset.
– It also increases future construction cost burden.
You may keep your current two plots.
But don’t increase land exposure any further.
Land is not liquid, doesn’t give cash flow.
Focus instead on house construction when funds allow.
For now, preserve PF corpus and grow other assets.
» Constructing House on Either Plot for Rental in 5–6 Years
This is a more practical idea.
But first assess:
– Which location gives better rental yield?
– What is construction cost estimate today?
– Can you get rental of Rs. 25,000–30,000 per month minimum?
– If yes, then start preparing fund pool for that by year 4–5.
Avoid using full PF corpus.
Instead, build construction fund from post-retirement income.
Use mutual fund STPs, balanced funds, and hybrid debt funds to park that.
Keep this goal flexible.
If rental is not viable, sell at Rs. 70L each and reinvest.
Reinvestment options after sale:
– Balanced advantage funds (moderate risk).
– Debt mutual funds (conservative).
– Hybrid equity funds (growth + safety).
– No index funds, no ULIPs, no real estate reinvestment.
» Emergency Corpus of Rs. 80L to Rs. 1 Cr
This is a good safety cushion.
Here is how to create it:
– From Rs. 1.3 crore gratuity + leave, keep Rs. 30L for emergency.
– Add Rs. 20L in bank FDs.
– Keep Rs. 15L in liquid mutual funds.
– Keep Rs. 10L in short-duration debt funds.
– Add Rs. 5L in wife’s savings account as instant-access buffer.
– Keep gold Rs. 5L as part of it.
That totals around Rs. 85L.
Revisit this corpus every 2 years.
Inflation and expenses may need adjustment.
» Term Insurance, ULIPs, NPS, and Tax Saving Options
Let’s go one by one:
Term Insurance:
– You already have Rs. 1 crore term cover each.
– That is sufficient for now.
– Once your retirement fund is built, coverage need reduces.
– Don’t buy additional term plans unless liabilities increase.
ULIPs:
– Avoid ULIPs completely.
– They are poor for returns.
– Lock-in is long, charges are high.
– They offer neither good insurance nor investment.
– ULIPs are mis-sold to salaried people. Stay away.
Child Insurance Plans:
– These are a form of ULIP or endowment.
– Offers 5–6% returns.
– Poor liquidity.
– No flexibility.
– Don’t invest Rs. 3.5L in these.
Instead, invest in goal-specific SIPs as discussed earlier.
NPS:
– NPS gives extra tax benefit under Sec 80CCD(1B).
– You can invest Rs. 50,000 yearly for Rs. 15,600 tax savings (assuming 30% tax slab).
– Returns are market-linked.
– But withdrawal rules are restrictive.
– 60% of NPS corpus is tax-free, rest 40% goes to annuity (which we want to avoid).
– You may put minimum Rs. 50,000 in NPS for tax-saving.
– Don’t put your main retirement fund in NPS.
Tax Saving Options:
– Use 80C limit of Rs. 1.5L through EPF, tuition fees, ELSS mutual funds.
– Use NPS additional Rs. 50,000 under 80CCD(1B).
– Use medical insurance under Sec 80D.
– Avoid insurance-linked saving schemes.
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» House Purchase on Own Plot
You already have two plots.
Instead of buying third land, build on existing one.
If that house is for self-use:
– Start saving now in hybrid mutual funds.
– Allocate Rs. 25,000 monthly for construction corpus.
– Plan to build by year 5–6.
– Don’t compromise your retirement or child’s goal for house.
Keep house cost within Rs. 50L total.
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» Additional Suggestions for Financial Security
– Write your Wills clearly.
– Appoint guardianship for your child in case of any eventuality.
– Create a Trust for child’s future financial protection.
– Update nominee in PF, shares, mutual funds, insurance.
– Consolidate wife’s share investments. Shift to mutual funds.
– Avoid penny stocks or trading.
– Review portfolio every 12 months with help of Certified Financial Planner.
—
» Finally
You have built a strong financial base.
Your future income flow and assets offer long-term confidence.
But direction is important.
– Avoid land purchase now.
– Don’t use child insurance or ULIP plans.
– Prioritise mutual fund investing via certified planner.
– Keep funds liquid and flexible.
– Separate each goal’s funding — retirement, child, house, emergency.
– Be conservative yet growth-oriented.
You don’t need to chase risky returns.
Discipline and separation of goals will win for you.
Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment