I am 48 years old and my monthly income is 1.4 Lac. My existing investment is PPF 1.5 Lakh/year and 18 Thousand Term insurance and Bank FD's. I am want to invest in NPS about 50 Thousand/Year. What option to select to earn at least 8% with lower risk. Also let me know what are other options for investment with lower risk?

Ans: It's great that you've started investing in NPS for your retirement. To achieve your goal of investing ?20,000 for both your future and your child's education, consider the following suggestions:

SIP in Mutual Funds:
Allocate a portion of ?20,000 towards SIPs in mutual funds. Opt for diversified equity funds for long-term growth potential.
Choose funds based on your risk tolerance and investment horizon.
Child Education Fund:
Create a separate fund or invest in child education-specific mutual funds or SIPs for your child's education.
Start a recurring deposit or systematic investment plan (SIP) to accumulate the desired amount by the time your child starts higher education.
Emergency Fund:
Set aside a portion of your monthly income for an emergency fund, aiming to accumulate 3-6 months' worth of expenses.
Consider a liquid or short-term debt fund for this purpose.
Insurance:
Ensure you have adequate life and health insurance coverage for yourself and your family to protect against unforeseen events.
Review & Adjust:
Periodically review your investments to track performance and make necessary adjustments.
Increase your investments gradually as your income grows.
Remember to maintain a balanced approach between equity and debt investments based on your risk tolerance. Consult a financial advisor to create a personalized investment plan tailored to your financial goals and situation.

Ans: As you wish to re-invest some amount received from your NPS. This is a responsible decision that can ensure a comfortable post-retirement life. We suggest you to invest the amount in different asset class such as mutual funds, bonds, FD etc in different allocation. It will help you to maintain the liquidity and stability at your portfolio in different market scenario and help you to grow your amount over the years.

You can also consult with a financial advisor for the personalized holistic financial planning as they will analyze your current financials, risk appetite, other assets & your goals and give you a clear idea about the investment.

Ans: Hello Mr. Kumar Shashi Raj,

It's excellent that you're considering diversifying your investments and planning for your future. Given your income and investment goals, let's explore some options:

NPS (National Pension System):

NPS offers different investment options with varying levels of risk and potential returns.
For your objective of earning at least 8% with lower risk, you can consider investing in the "Moderate" or "Conservative" asset allocation options.
These options typically invest a higher proportion of funds in debt instruments, providing stability and lower volatility compared to equity-heavy options.
While NPS offers the potential for attractive returns over the long term, it's essential to understand that past performance is not indicative of future results.
Other options for investment with lower risk:

Debt Mutual Funds: These funds primarily invest in fixed-income securities like bonds and government securities, offering relatively stable returns with lower risk compared to equity investments.
Public Provident Fund (PPF): Since you're already investing in PPF, you can continue to maximize contributions to this tax-efficient instrument, which offers attractive returns along with tax benefits.
Bank Fixed Deposits: FDs provide a fixed rate of interest and are considered low-risk investments. However, they may offer relatively lower returns compared to other investment avenues like mutual funds or NPS.
Government Savings Schemes: Options like Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS) and Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) offer fixed returns with capital protection, making them suitable for conservative investors.
When selecting investment options, consider factors like your risk tolerance, investment horizon, and financial goals. Diversifying across asset classes can help mitigate risk and optimize returns over the long term.

Consulting with a Certified Financial Planner can provide personalized guidance tailored to your specific financial situation and goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in