Home > Money > Question
Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 02, 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
Vijay Question by Vijay on Feb 21, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money

is 50 yr good to start NPS for retirement savings ?

Ans: Starting NPS (National Pension System) at the age of 50 can still be beneficial for retirement savings, especially if you plan to continue working for several more years before retiring. NPS offers tax benefits and the potential for long-term wealth accumulation through investments in equity, corporate bonds, and government securities.

However, starting NPS at a later age means you'll have a shorter time horizon for investments to grow compared to starting at a younger age. This could potentially result in a lower corpus at retirement compared to someone who started earlier. Additionally, the investment strategy within NPS should be adjusted based on your risk tolerance and investment horizon.

Before starting NPS, consider factors such as your current retirement savings, expected retirement age, risk tolerance, and financial goals. It's advisable to consult with a financial advisor to assess whether NPS is suitable for your retirement planning needs and to create a personalized strategy aligned with your objectives.
Asked on - Apr 08, 2024 | Answered on Apr 08, 2024
Listen
Thank you .
Ans: Welcome :)
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.
Money

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 16, 2024

Money
National pension scheme for retirement is good to start at age 50?
Ans: The National Pension Scheme (NPS) is a government-backed retirement savings option. It aims to provide a regular income post-retirement. NPS offers a blend of equity, corporate bonds, and government securities. This blend can give moderate to high returns over the long term.

Evaluating NPS for a 50-Year-Old
Starting NPS at age 50 is possible. However, the time horizon for investment is shorter. This can impact the growth potential. Let's assess if it's the right choice for you.

Advantages of NPS
Tax Benefits: NPS offers tax deductions under Section 80C and Section 80CCD(1B).

Market-Linked Growth: It invests in equities, corporate bonds, and government securities.

Flexibility: You can choose your asset allocation and switch between funds.

Low Cost: NPS has a low fund management charge, enhancing returns.

Disadvantages of NPS
Lock-In Period: NPS has a long lock-in period until retirement. Premature withdrawals are limited.

Annuity Purchase: At maturity, 40% of the corpus must be used to buy an annuity. This can limit your lump sum withdrawal.

Market Risks: Being market-linked, returns are not guaranteed and can be volatile.

Comparing NPS with Other Investment Options
NPS is one of many options available for retirement planning. Let's compare it with mutual funds, Provident Fund (PF), and Fixed Deposits (FDs).

Mutual Funds
Higher Returns: Equity mutual funds can provide higher returns compared to NPS. They are suitable for a shorter investment horizon.

Liquidity: Mutual funds offer better liquidity than NPS. You can redeem your investment anytime.

Flexibility: You can choose from various funds based on risk appetite and goals.

Provident Fund (PF)
Stable Returns: PF offers stable and risk-free returns, ideal for conservative investors.

Tax Benefits: Contributions to PF are tax-deductible under Section 80C.

Limited Flexibility: PF has less flexibility in terms of asset allocation.

Fixed Deposits (FDs)
Safety: FDs are safe and provide guaranteed returns.

Fixed Returns: The interest rate is fixed, providing certainty.

Lower Returns: Returns are usually lower compared to market-linked investments.

Creating a Comprehensive Retirement Plan
To ensure a comfortable retirement, it's essential to diversify your investments. Here’s a detailed plan.

Assessing Your Current Financial Situation
Age: 50 years old

Goal: Secure Rs 1 lakh monthly income post-retirement

Current Investments
Evaluate your current investments and savings. This helps in planning future investments.

Risk Tolerance
At 50, risk tolerance may be lower. It's crucial to balance growth and safety.

Time Horizon
With retirement around the corner, the time to grow investments is limited.

Asset Allocation
A balanced approach is essential. Here's a suggested allocation:

Equity (40%): For growth and inflation protection

Debt (40%): For stability and regular income

Fixed Income (20%): For safety and guaranteed returns

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)
SIP in mutual funds is a disciplined way to invest. It helps in rupee cost averaging and compounding.

Building a Retirement Corpus
Estimate the required corpus for Rs 1 lakh monthly income. Factor in inflation and life expectancy.

Health Insurance
Ensure you have comprehensive health insurance. It protects your savings from medical emergencies.

Emergency Fund
Maintain an emergency fund to cover 6-12 months of expenses. This should be in a liquid investment.

Detailed Steps to Achieve Your Goal
Step 1: Continue with NPS
Given your age, NPS can still be a part of your portfolio. Allocate a portion of your savings to NPS.

Step 2: Diversify with Mutual Funds
Invest in a mix of equity and debt mutual funds. This provides growth and stability.

Step 3: Maximise Tax-Advantaged Accounts
Continue contributing to tax-advantaged accounts like PF and PPF. These provide tax benefits and stable returns.

Step 4: Invest in Fixed Deposits
FDs offer safety and guaranteed returns. Allocate a portion of your savings to FDs.

Step 5: Regular Reviews
Review your portfolio regularly. Adjust your asset allocation based on market conditions and goals.

Monitoring and Adjusting Your Plan
Regular monitoring is crucial. Adjust your investments based on performance and changing needs.

Role of a Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
Consulting a CFP can provide personalised advice. A CFP can help you navigate complexities and make informed decisions.

Benefits of Working with a CFP
Expert Advice: CFPs offer expert guidance on investment strategies and retirement planning.

Personalised Plans: They create personalised plans based on your goals and risk tolerance.

Regular Reviews: CFPs provide regular reviews to keep your plan on track.

Final Insights
Starting NPS at age 50 is possible. However, consider diversifying your investments. Mutual funds, PF, and FDs can provide growth, stability, and safety. Maintain a comprehensive health insurance plan and an emergency fund. Consult a CFP for personalised advice. With careful planning and regular reviews, you can achieve a secure and comfortable retirement.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 25, 2024

Listen
Money
Im 51 years now .Can I start NPS now? Already im invested to PPF as well as mutual funds and other insurance . If i need 6000k as monthly through NPS annuity how much per year I need to invest in NPS yearly?
Ans: It’s great to see you considering the National Pension System (NPS) at 51. While NPS can provide significant benefits, your age does play a role in determining your contributions and expected returns. Here’s an overview of what you should consider:

NPS Overview: NPS is a long-term investment scheme designed to provide retirement income. It allows you to build a retirement corpus through regular contributions during your working life, which can then be converted into an annuity upon retirement.

Eligibility: There are no restrictions on joining NPS based on your age. You can open an NPS account until the age of 70. However, keep in mind that the sooner you start contributing, the larger your corpus will be at retirement.

Retirement Planning: Since you are 51, you have about 9-15 years left before retirement, depending on your retirement age. This time frame will influence how much you need to contribute annually to achieve your desired monthly income.

Desired Monthly Annuity
You mentioned that you require Rs. 60,000 per month through NPS annuity. Let's break down how much you would need to invest annually to reach that goal.

Calculating Required Corpus for Monthly Income
To calculate how much you need to invest, we first need to determine the total corpus required to generate a monthly income of Rs. 60,000.

Annual Requirement: Rs. 60,000 x 12 = Rs. 720,000 per year.

Withdrawal Rate: A common guideline for sustainable withdrawals in retirement is around 4% annually. This means your total retirement corpus should be 25 times your annual requirement.

Required Corpus:

Required Corpus = Annual Requirement × 25
Required Corpus = 720,000 × 25 = Rs. 18,000,000

This means you would need a total corpus of Rs. 1.8 crore to generate a monthly annuity of Rs. 60,000.

Contribution Calculation for NPS
Next, let's determine how much you need to contribute annually to reach this corpus in the given time frame.

Time Horizon: Assume you plan to retire at age 60, giving you 9 years to accumulate this corpus.
Estimating Returns
The NPS primarily invests in equity, government bonds, and corporate debt. The expected annual return can vary, but a conservative estimate for NPS is around 8% to 10%. For our calculations, let’s use 9% as a reasonable expected return.

Annual Contribution Requirement
You would need to invest approximately Rs. 1,184,156 annually in NPS to achieve your goal of a monthly annuity of Rs. 60,000.

Considerations
Existing Investments: Since you are already invested in PPF, mutual funds, and insurance, ensure that these contributions align with your overall retirement plan. Your total investments can supplement the corpus you build in NPS.

Risk Tolerance: Given your age and time to retirement, assess your risk tolerance. NPS has options for both aggressive (more equity) and conservative (more debt) investments. Depending on your comfort level, you can adjust your asset allocation.

Tax Benefits: NPS offers tax deductions under Section 80C and additional deductions under Section 80CCD(1B). This can help you save on taxes while investing.

Diversification: It’s wise to keep a diversified investment portfolio. While NPS is a great tool for retirement, ensure that you maintain other investments that can provide liquidity and growth.

Final Insights
Starting NPS at 51 is a viable option to enhance your retirement savings. To achieve a monthly annuity of Rs. 60,000, aim for an annual investment of approximately Rs. 1,184,156 at an estimated return of 9%.

This approach, along with your existing investments in PPF and mutual funds, can help you build a robust retirement corpus.

Consider speaking to a Certified Financial Planner to tailor a strategy that fits your financial landscape and future aspirations.

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Anu

Anu Krishna  |1746 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Dec 08, 2025

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 08, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi i am 40M. would request your help to understand what should be the corpus required for retirement as i want to get retired in next 3-5yrs. currently my take home is 2.3L monthly & my wife also works but leaving the job in next 2-3 months. we have a daughter 10yrs, currently i stay on rent and total monthly expense is 1.1L month. once i will retire we will shift in our own parental flat, where hopefully there will be no rent. current Investments 1. 50L in REC bonds getting matured in 2029 2. 42L in stocks 3. 17L in MF 4. 16L FD 5. 15L in PPF 6. 1.3L SIP monthly i do My Wife Investments 1. 30L corpus 2. flat with current value 40L and we get rental of 10K monthly. Please guide what should be the retirement corpus required combined to retire, assuming i need 75L for my daughter post grad and marriage and we would be requiring 75K monthly for our expenses after retiring
Ans: You have explained your income, goals, current assets, and future plans with great clarity. Your early planning spirit is strong. This gives a very good base. You can reach a peaceful retirement with smart steps in the next few years.

» Your Current Position

You are 40 years old. You plan to retire in 3 to 5 years. You earn Rs 2.3 lakh per month. Your wife also works but will stop working soon. You have one daughter aged 10. Your current monthly cost is around Rs 1.1 lakh. This cost will reduce after retirement because you will shift to your parental flat.

Your investment base is already good. You have saved in bonds, stocks, mutual funds, PPF, FD, and SIP. Your wife also has her own savings and rental income from a flat. All these create a good starting point.

This early base helps you plan stronger. It also gives room for more shaping. You are on the right road.

» Your Family Goals

You need Rs 75 lakh for your daughter’s higher education and marriage.

You want Rs 75,000 per month for family living after retirement.

You want to retire in 3 to 5 years.

You will shift to your parental flat after retirement.

You will have rental income of Rs 10,000 from your wife’s flat.

These goals are clear. They give direction. They allow a strong plan.

» Your Present Investments

Your investments include:

Rs 50 lakh in REC bonds maturing in 2029.

Rs 42 lakh in stocks.

Rs 17 lakh in mutual funds.

Rs 16 lakh in fixed deposits.

Rs 15 lakh in PPF.

Rs 1.3 lakh as monthly SIP.

Your wife holds:

Rs 30 lakh corpus.

A flat worth Rs 40 lakh with rent of Rs 10,000 each month.

Your combined net worth is healthy. This gives good power to build your retirement fund in the coming years.

» Understanding Your Expense Need After Retirement

You expect Rs 75,000 per month after retirement. This includes all basic needs. You will not have rent. That reduces cost. This assumption looks fair today.

Your cost will rise with inflation. So you must plan for rising needs. A strong retirement corpus must support rising cost for 40 to 45 years because you are retiring early.

An early retirement needs a large buffer. So you need safety along with growth. Your plan must include growth assets and safety assets.

» How Much Monthly Income You Will Need Later

Rs 75,000 per month is Rs 9 lakh per year. In future years, this cost can rise. If we assume steady rise, your future cost will be much higher.

So the retirement corpus must be designed to:

Give monthly income.

Beat inflation.

Support you for 40 to 45 years.

Protect your family even in market down cycles.

Allow flexibility if your needs change.

A strong retirement fund must support both safety and long-term growth.

» How Much Corpus You Should Target

A safe target is a large and flexible corpus that can support long years without running out of money. For early retirement, the usual thumb rule suggests a very high number. This is because you need income for many decades.

You need a corpus big enough to produce rising income. You also need a cushion for unexpected health costs, lifestyle shocks, and inflation changes.

Your target retirement corpus should be in a strong range. For your needs of Rs 75,000 per month and for goals like daughter’s education and marriage, you should aim for a combined retirement readiness corpus in the higher bracket.

A safe range for your family would be a very large number crossing multiple crores. This large range gives you:

Income safety.

Inflation protection.

Peace during market cycles.

Comfort in long life.

Room for daughter’s future.

Strong backup for health.

You are already on the way due to your existing assets. You will reach close to this range with systematic building over the next 3 to 5 years.

» Why You Need This Larger Corpus

You will retire early. That means more years of living from your corpus. Your corpus must not fall early. It must grow even after retirement. It must give monthly income and long-term family protection.

This is only possible when the corpus is strong and well-structured. A weak corpus creates stress. A strong corpus creates freedom.

Also, your daughter’s future cost must be kept aside. This must be parked in a separate fund. This must not touch your retirement money.

A strong corpus makes these two worlds separate and safe.

» Your Existing Assets and Their Strength

You already have good diversification:

Bonds give safety.

Stocks give growth.

Mutual funds give managed growth.

FD gives stability.

PPF gives tax-free long-term savings.

This blend is already a good start. But you need to make the blend more structured for early retirement.

Your Rs 1.3 lakh monthly SIP is also strong. It builds your future fast. You should continue.

Your wife’s rental income is small but steady. This adds strength.

Your combined financial base can reach your retirement target if you refine your allocation now.

» Your Daughter’s Future Fund Need

You need Rs 75 lakh for your daughter’s education and marriage. You should keep this goal separate from your retirement goal.

Your current SIP and future allocations should create a dedicated fund for this goal. A long-term fund can grow well when managed actively.

Do not mix this fund with your retirement needs. Mixing leads to shortage in old age. Always keep this corpus ring-fenced.

» A Strong Asset Mix For Your Retirement Path

A balanced mix is needed. You need growth assets to beat inflation. You also need stable assets for income.

You must avoid index funds because they do not give flexibility. Index funds follow a fixed index. They cannot make active changes in different markets. They cannot move to better stocks when markets change. They force you to stay in weak sectors for long. They also do not help you in down cycles because they cannot protect you by shifting to safer options. This can hurt retirement planning.

Actively managed funds are better because:

They give active asset selection.

They give scope for better returns.

They give flexibility to change sectors.

They give downside management.

They give access to a skilled fund manager.

They support long-term planning more safely.

Direct plans also carry risk. Direct plans do not give guidance. They do not give behavioural support. They do not give market timing help. They do not give portfolio shaping. They leave all the judgement to you. One mistake can cost years of wealth.

Regular plans with guidance from a Certified Financial Planner help you shape decisions. They help you remain disciplined. They help you avoid panic. They help you decide allocation changes at the right time. This saves wealth in long-term.

» How Your Investment Journey Should Grow in the Next 3–5 Years

Continue your SIP.

Increase SIP when your income rises.

Shift part of your stock holding into planned long-term mutual funds to reduce concentration risk.

Build a defined daughter’s education fund.

Keep a part of your REC bond maturity amount for long-term.

Avoid locking too much into fixed deposits for long periods.

Build a safety fund for one year of expenses.

This will create a full structure.

» Your Rental Income Role

Your rental income of Rs 10,000 per month is small but steady. Over time it will rise. This income will support your monthly cash flow after retirement.

You can use this for utilities or health insurance premiums. This gives a cushion.

» Your Emergency Buffer

You should keep at least one year of essential cost in a safe place. This can be in a liquid account or short-term fund. This protects you in shocks.

Since you plan early retirement, a strong buffer is important. It gives peace even in low months.

» A Structured Retirement Approach

A complete retirement plan for you should include:

A clear monthly income plan after retirement.

A corpus that can grow and protect.

A rising income system that matches inflation.

A separate daughter’s future fund.

A health cover plan for your family.

A tax-efficient withdrawal plan.

A market cycle plan to protect you in tough times.

This holistic approach keeps your family strong for decades.

» What You Should Build by Retirement Year

Your aim should be to reach a strong multi-crore range in investments before retirement. You already hold a large amount. You will add more in the next 3 to 5 years through SIP, stock growth, bond maturity, and disciplined saving.

Once you reach your target range, you can start the shifting process:

Move a part to stable assets.

Keep a part in long-term growth assets.

Create a monthly income strategy.

Keep a reserve bucket.

Keep a child future bucket.

Keep a long-term growth bucket.

This structure protects you in all market conditions.

» Final Insights

Your financial journey is already strong. You have a good income. You have saved well. You have multiple asset types. You have a clear timeline. And you have clear goals. This foundation is solid.

In the next 3 to 5 years, your focus should be on growing your combined corpus to a strong multi-crore range, keeping a separate fund for your daughter, reducing risk in unplanned assets, and building a stable long-term structure.

With the present path and a disciplined structure, you can retire peacefully and support your family with confidence for many decades.

Best Regards,

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

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

...Read more

Samraat

Samraat Jadhav  |2499 Answers  |Ask -

Stock Market Expert - Answered on Dec 08, 2025

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

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

Money
Hello my name is saket, I monthly salary is 43k and my saving is zero. My Rent is 15 k and 10 k i send to my parents. How can i save money and investments.
Ans: 1. Your Current Monthly Numbers

Salary: Rs 43,000

Rent: Rs 15,000

Support to parents: Rs 10,000

Left with: Rs 18,000 for food, travel, bills, and savings

You have very little room, but saving is still possible if done smartly.

2. First Step: Build a Small Emergency Buffer

You must build Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 emergency money.
This protects you from taking loans for small issues.

How to build it:

Save Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 every month in a simple bank savings account

Do this for the next few months

Don’t touch it unless truly needed

3. Create a Mini Budget (Very Simple One)

Try this split from the remaining Rs 18,000:

Daily living (food + transport): Rs 10,000 – 11,000

Personal expenses (phone, internet, basics): Rs 3,000 – 4,000

Savings + investments: Rs 3,000 – 5,000

If this feels difficult, reduce food/transport costs by small adjustments.

4. Where to Invest Once You Have Emergency Money

(For minors: This is general education. For actual investing, get guidance from a trusted adult or family member.)

After you build emergency money, start small monthly investing.

You can begin with:

Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 SIP in a simple, diversified equity fund

Increase the SIP whenever salary increases or expenses reduce

Avoid complicated products.
Keep it simple.
Focus on consistency.

5. Easy Practical Ways to Increase Saving

These small moves help a lot:

Avoid food delivery

Use public transport as much as possible

Reduce subscriptions you don’t use

Fix a daily expense limit

Keep a separate bank account only for savings

Even Rs 200 saved daily = Rs 6,000 monthly.

6. Increase Income Slowly

Try small income boosters:

Weekend tutoring

Freelancing

Part-time projects

Selling old gadgets

Learning new skills for future salary growth

Even Rs 3,000 extra income changes your savings life.

7. Build the Habit First

The amount doesn’t matter in the beginning.
The habit matters more.

Even saving Rs 500 every month is better than zero.
Once salary grows, you will already know how to save.

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.

Close  

You haven't logged in yet. To ask a question, Please Log in below
Login

A verification OTP will be sent to this
Mobile Number / Email

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to

Resend OTP in120seconds

Dear User, You have not registered yet. Please register by filling the fields below to get expert answers from our Gurus
Sign up

By signing up, you agree to our
Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Already have an account?

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to Mobile

Resend OTP in120seconds

x