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Sanjeev

Sanjeev Govila  |458 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on Feb 06, 2024

Colonel Sanjeev Govila (retd) is the founder of Hum Fauji Initiatives, a financial planning company dedicated to the armed forces personnel and their families.
He has over 12 years of experience in financial planning and is a SEBI certified registered investment advisor; he is also accredited with AMFI and IRDA.... more
Narender Question by Narender on Oct 27, 2023Hindi
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I am 50 yrs of age and have a decent portfolio in mutual funds. Now I want to plan my retirement with a good Pension plan which can give me fixed guaranteed returns on my retirement. I have gone through TATA AAIA LIFE INSURANCE FORTUNE GURANTEE PLUS plan and I liked it. Can you please advice should I go for it.

Ans: Before making any decisions, remember that guaranteed returns policies might seem attractive but they have limitations as well, so look into the plan's flexibility, costs, and how well it suits your retirement lifestyle. I suggest thoroughly checking the TATA AIA plan and opt for it only if it fulfils all of your requirements. Moreover, don't rely solely on guaranteed returns, as unexpected expenses and inflation could arise. Compare it with options like NPS and annuity plans, and talk to a financial advisor for personalized advice.

I recommend considering Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWP) in mutual funds for your retirement strategy. SWP allows you to regularly withdraw a fixed amount, offering flexibility and the potential for market-linked returns. It combines stable guaranteed returns with the chance for higher gains from mutual funds. Make your decision after careful thought and professional advice.
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  |8013 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 20, 2024

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Sir i am 27 yrs old unmarried .i have 35L in FD 10L in ppf 15L in mutual fund 20L in stocks 5L in SGB . I have an annually income of 30L i want to retire by 40 i have brought a term insurance and health insurer. Can help me plan how to invest further and achieve my goal .Karthik banglore
Ans: Hello Karthik,

Firstly, congratulations on being proactive about planning for your retirement at such a young age. Let's delve into crafting a strategic financial plan to help you achieve your goal of retiring by the age of 40, with a focus on mutual funds (MFs) as a key component of your investment strategy.

Current Financial Position
Your current financial standing reflects a commendable level of savings and investments, providing a solid foundation for your retirement aspirations. Let's review your existing assets:

FDs, PPF, and SGB: These traditional investment avenues offer stability and security, but they might not maximize long-term growth potential.

Mutual Funds and Stocks: Investing in equities and mutual funds demonstrates your willingness to explore avenues with higher growth potential, albeit with associated market risks.

Retirement Planning Strategy
Given your ambitious retirement goal, here's a tailored approach to further optimize your investments, focusing more on mutual funds:

Asset Allocation Review:

Evaluate your current asset allocation to ensure alignment with your retirement timeline and risk tolerance. Consider reallocating a portion of your conservative investments (FDs, PPF) towards equity mutual funds for higher growth potential over the long term.
Diversification with Mutual Funds:

Explore a diversified portfolio of mutual funds across different categories:
Large-Cap Funds: These funds invest in large, well-established companies with stable performance. They offer relatively lower risk compared to mid-cap and small-cap funds.
Mid-Cap and Small-Cap Funds: These funds focus on mid-sized and small-sized companies with higher growth potential but also higher volatility. Allocate a portion of your portfolio to these funds for capital appreciation.
Flexi Cap Funds: These funds provide flexibility to invest across market capitalizations based on prevailing market conditions. They offer a balanced approach between growth and stability.
ELSS Funds: Consider investing in Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS) to avail tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, while also benefiting from potential capital appreciation.
Regular Portfolio Monitoring:

Implement a disciplined approach to monitor and rebalance your MF portfolio periodically. Review fund performance, expense ratios, and fund manager track records to ensure they align with your investment objectives.
Systematic Investment Plan (SIP):

Utilize SIPs to invest systematically in mutual funds, enabling rupee-cost averaging and mitigating the impact of market volatility over time. Allocate your monthly investment amount across various MF categories based on your risk profile and investment horizon.
Tax Planning:

Optimize your tax efficiency by leveraging tax-saving mutual fund options such as ELSS funds. Maximize contributions to tax-deferred accounts like ELSS to reduce your taxable income and enhance overall savings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, by adopting a proactive and strategic approach to your financial planning, with a focus on mutual funds, you're well-positioned to achieve your goal of retiring by the age of 40. Continuously assess and adjust your MF portfolio to align with evolving market conditions and personal financial objectives. Remember, early retirement requires diligent planning and disciplined execution, but with careful guidance and prudent decision-making, you're on the right track to realizing your retirement dreams.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8013 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Nov 01, 2024

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17th Oct - 2024 Dear Sir, I am a self employed 51 year old male having a combined corpus of 1 cr including my wife in Mutual funds. My wife is a homemaker & have 2 sons both are unmarried and are working in pvt firms. I also have various LIC Term Policies , Endowement , Jeevan Saral & Jeevan Anand policies. Now, for my retirement plan for getting a fixed income as a pension, I am thinking of going for HDFC LIFE GURANTEE WEALTH PLUS Plan which has a premium of Rupees 5 Lakh annually which is to be paid for 12 years for which I would start getting a Fixed income of Rs. 7,12,000/- annually. Besides the above plan I also intend to start SWP of the Mutal Fund Corpus which we have from the age of 65 years. Kindly give your valuable advice on this, and suggest if we can have something better than this. Thanking You, Narender Sharma
Ans: You and your wife currently hold Rs 1 crore in mutual funds. It’s wise to have this corpus growing for retirement and to consider a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) after reaching 65.

An SWP from mutual funds can give flexibility, especially if spread across diversified funds. You’ll be able to generate steady income while keeping funds in growth-oriented investments, which could continue compounding.

LIC Policies Evaluation

You have various LIC policies, including Term, Endowment, Jeevan Saral, and Jeevan Anand. Traditional policies like these often carry lower returns, as they focus on insurance rather than investment growth.

Term plans are valuable, as they provide substantial coverage at lower costs. But investment-oriented policies like Endowment and Jeevan plans generally yield low returns, around 4-6%, which may not be ideal for retirement planning.

If these plans have served their purpose for insurance cover, consider surrendering or partially withdrawing them, reinvesting in growth-oriented assets, such as mutual funds, for better wealth accumulation.

Evaluation of HDFC Life Guarantee Wealth Plus Plan
HDFC Life Guarantee Wealth Plus is a structured ULIP plan offering guaranteed income after the premium payment period. However, ULIPs often have high fees and limited growth compared to mutual funds. Also, locking Rs 5 lakh annually for 12 years might affect cash flow flexibility.

Drawbacks of ULIP-Based Plans

High Charges: Premium allocation, policy administration, and fund management fees reduce the net return.

Limited Growth Potential: ULIPs, due to costs, generally underperform compared to mutual funds in terms of returns.

Liquidity Constraints: Premiums are locked for the initial 5 years, limiting early access.

Suggested Approach to Retirement Income Planning
1. Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) for Mutual Funds

A well-planned SWP from a diversified mutual fund corpus provides stable monthly or annual income while allowing capital appreciation.

Mutual funds, particularly those actively managed by professional fund managers, have the potential for inflation-adjusted returns.

2. Investment in Balanced Mutual Funds or Monthly Income Plans (MIPs)

Balanced or hybrid mutual funds can provide regular income and are managed to achieve balanced growth, considering both equity and debt.

MIPs, with a focus on debt and a small equity component, provide monthly or quarterly income options and have tax benefits under the new capital gains tax structure:

For equity, Long Term Capital Gains (LTCG) above Rs 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%.
Short Term Capital Gains (STCG) on debt are taxed as per your income tax slab, while LTCG are also taxed as per your slab.
Ensuring Flexibility and Growth
Avoid ULIP for Retirement

As a retirement plan, ULIPs offer limited flexibility in withdrawals and returns, especially when compared with mutual funds. Since liquidity and growth are vital for retirement, consider avoiding ULIPs like HDFC Life Guarantee Wealth Plus.
Maintain a Balanced Investment Strategy

With a balanced approach across mutual funds and PPF, you can achieve income stability, growth, and low-risk liquidity.
Final Insights
Reviewing your LIC policies for potential reinvestment can yield better retirement outcomes.

Consider structured withdrawals from mutual funds or monthly income plans for sustainable retirement income.

ULIPs may not be the best retirement income option due to high costs and inflexibility.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8013 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Feb 17, 2025

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I need a good financial planning for my retirement at 58-60, salary is 1.9 lakhs ,inthis 21k carloan for another 2.5 yrs, 35k in SIP,50k monthly expenses, rent 19k , have own house in native. Have FD 65 lakhs sbi, fd in sriram 13 lakhs, in motilal oswal IAP of 10 lakhs, invested in hdfc sanchay lus for 1 lakh another 5 years to get guaranteed 1 lakh after 6 yrs , and another guaranteed plan of 60 k from next year ( both I will get for another 25 years) , sbi MF 10 lakhs ,ulip matured running for another 10 years 8 lakhs, Daughter's marriage plan after 5 yrs and son in btech from this year. Pls adv.
Ans: You have built a solid financial foundation. Now, let’s structure your retirement plan effectively.

Current Financial Overview
Your income is Rs 1.9 lakhs per month.
Major expenses: Rs 50k household, Rs 19k rent, Rs 21k car loan (for 2.5 years).
You invest Rs 35k monthly in SIPs.
Significant assets include FDs, mutual funds, insurance, and guaranteed plans.
Retirement Planning Strategy
Optimising Investments
Your SIPs are well-structured. Consider increasing them once the car loan is over.
FDs provide safety but lower returns. You may shift part of them to better options.
Guaranteed plans provide fixed income but might not beat inflation.
Your mutual fund holdings should be diversified across equity and debt.
Managing Existing Loans
The car loan will be cleared in 2.5 years, increasing monthly savings.
Avoid taking new loans close to retirement.
Wealth Growth for Retirement
Your guaranteed plans will provide Rs 1.6 lakh per year post-retirement.
SIPs and mutual fund investments should focus on long-term wealth creation.
Debt allocation should increase as you approach retirement.
Child’s Education and Marriage Planning
Your son’s B.Tech expenses should be planned using FDs and low-risk funds.
Your daughter’s marriage in 5 years requires liquidity planning. Part of your FDs can be allocated here.
Final Insights
Increase SIPs once your loan is cleared.
Balance safety and returns by adjusting your asset allocation.
Ensure your guaranteed plans do not restrict liquidity.
Keep emergency funds accessible for unforeseen needs.
Plan tax-efficient withdrawals post-retirement.
Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

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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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