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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 19, 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
Asked by Anonymous - Apr 24, 2024Hindi
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I am 55 years old and I will retire at the age of 62 years. I am under NPS and so far my NPS corpse is Rs. 1crore and I have MF of Rs. 25lakhs. I have been doing SIP of Rs. 20000/- for the last 10 years. Currently my sip amount is Rs.45000/- per month. My NPS tire 1 contribution is Rs. 67000/- per month. Are these enough for my retirement purpse ?

Ans: Firstly, let me commend you on your diligent efforts towards planning for your retirement. It's essential to evaluate your current financial position and assess if your savings and investments align with your retirement goals.

Evaluating Existing Retirement Corpus
NPS and Mutual Funds
Your NPS corpus of Rs. 1 crore and MF investments of Rs. 25 lakhs signify a significant portion of your retirement savings.
It's commendable that you've been consistently investing through SIPs over the past decade, demonstrating discipline and foresight.
Monthly Contributions
Your current SIP of Rs. 45,000 and NPS Tier 1 contribution of Rs. 67,000 per month reflect a substantial commitment towards retirement planning.
Regular contributions over an extended period can potentially lead to significant wealth accumulation over time.
Analyzing Retirement Adequacy
Consideration of Retirement Expenses
To determine if your savings and investments are sufficient for retirement, it's crucial to estimate your post-retirement expenses.
Consider factors such as living expenses, healthcare costs, inflation, and any additional financial commitments.
Retirement Income Sources
Apart from your NPS and MF investments, assess other potential sources of retirement income, such as pension benefits, annuities, rental income, or passive income streams.
Diversifying income sources can provide stability and resilience during retirement.
Conducting a Retirement Gap Analysis
Retirement Corpus Estimation
Estimate the corpus required to sustain your desired lifestyle and meet financial goals during retirement.
Consider factors like inflation, life expectancy, healthcare expenses, and any outstanding liabilities.
Assessing Shortfall or Surplus
Compare your estimated retirement corpus requirement with your existing savings and investments.
Identify any shortfall or surplus to determine if adjustments are necessary in your savings strategy.
Recommendations for Retirement Planning
Review and Adjust Strategy
Regularly review your retirement plan and make adjustments based on changing circumstances, financial goals, and market conditions.
Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) for personalized advice tailored to your specific needs and objectives.
Explore Additional Retirement Avenues
Explore opportunities to enhance your retirement savings, such as voluntary contributions to NPS, tax-saving investments, or retirement-oriented mutual funds.
Ensure a diversified portfolio mix aligned with your risk tolerance and investment horizon.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while your current savings and investments demonstrate a proactive approach towards retirement planning, it's essential to conduct a comprehensive analysis to ensure adequacy. Regular monitoring, prudent asset allocation, and strategic adjustments can help you achieve your retirement objectives with confidence.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
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  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 04, 2024

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I am a Grade-III state govt. servant covered under Tier-I NPS. The accumulated NPS amount of employee contribution and employer contribution is 14 lakh. I have also invested in Mutual Funds an amount of 10000 for the last 5 years. I am going to retire after 6 years. Are the investment of NPS and MF are sufficient for retirement fund.
Ans: Evaluating Your Current Retirement Portfolio
Your accumulated NPS amount of Rs. 14 lakh and consistent investment in mutual funds demonstrate disciplined financial planning. Let's assess if these investments will be sufficient for your retirement fund.

Understanding Your Retirement Goals
Retirement Corpus: To evaluate your retirement corpus, we need to understand your retirement goals. This includes your expected monthly expenses, lifestyle, and inflation.

Time Horizon: You have 6 years until retirement. This is a relatively short time frame for investment growth.

National Pension System (NPS)
Contribution and Growth: Your NPS has accumulated Rs. 14 lakh. NPS offers a mix of equity and debt investments, providing a balanced growth approach.

Tax Benefits: NPS contributions offer tax benefits, which is an added advantage. At retirement, you can withdraw up to 60% of the corpus tax-free, while 40% is mandatorily used for purchasing an annuity.

Mutual Fund Investments
Investment Pattern: Investing Rs. 10,000 monthly for the last 5 years shows a strong commitment. Mutual funds, especially equity funds, can offer higher returns over the long term.

Potential Growth: Assuming an average annual return of 12%, your mutual fund investments can grow significantly in the next 6 years. However, market volatility should be considered.

Assessing Sufficiency for Retirement
Projected Growth of NPS: Assuming an average annual return of 10%, your NPS corpus can grow considerably in the next 6 years. This growth will depend on the asset allocation within NPS.

Projected Growth of Mutual Funds: Your mutual fund investments will continue to grow. Consistent SIPs and market performance will influence the final corpus.

Expected Retirement Corpus:
Let's estimate the potential corpus at retirement:

NPS Corpus: Rs. 14 lakh growing at 10% annually.
Mutual Funds Corpus: Rs. 10,000 monthly SIP for 11 years growing at 12% annually.
Additional Considerations
Inflation: Consider inflation's impact on your retirement corpus. Inflation erodes the purchasing power of money over time.

Lifestyle and Expenses: Estimate your monthly expenses post-retirement. Include medical costs, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

Contingency Fund: Maintain a contingency fund for emergencies. This prevents dipping into retirement savings for unexpected expenses.

Recommendations for Enhancing Retirement Corpus
Increase SIP Amount: Gradually increase your SIP amount if possible. This leverages the power of compounding and accelerates growth.

Diversify Investments: Ensure your mutual fund portfolio is well-diversified across different sectors and market caps. This reduces risk and enhances returns.

Review and Rebalance: Regularly review and rebalance your portfolio. This ensures alignment with your risk profile and financial goals.

Consult a Certified Financial Planner: Personalized advice from a certified financial planner can help optimize your investment strategy. They can tailor recommendations based on your specific needs and goals.

Conclusion
Your current investments in NPS and mutual funds show good financial discipline. With some adjustments and increased contributions, you can work towards achieving a sufficient retirement corpus.

Consider inflation, lifestyle needs, and maintain a diversified portfolio. Regularly review and adjust your investments to stay on track.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 02, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 29, 2024Hindi
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Hello...I m holding following 3 funds and doing an sip of 60k per month (20k each in below funds) Parag Parikh flexi cap fund (g) SBI bluechip fund (g) HDFC large and midcap fund (g) Currently the fund value of these are 16L Considering my age is 40 right now and I need to build 1 cr of education funds by 2034 for my 2 kids and the have to plan for retirement, is my current SIP sufficient I also contribute in NPS 14 K per month and EPF 12 K per month and in PPF 10 K per month. Also I am having a icici smart kid policy (20!year) for my kid with 48K per year premium, which I am continuing since 2016
Ans: Your investment strategy is off to a great start. You're investing Rs. 60,000 per month across three funds. Additionally, you contribute Rs. 14,000 monthly to NPS, Rs. 12,000 to EPF, and Rs. 10,000 to PPF. These contributions reflect a disciplined approach to long-term wealth creation.

However, the goal of building a Rs. 1 crore education fund by 2034 for your children is ambitious. With the right strategy, it is achievable.

Reviewing Your Mutual Fund Investments
Fund Selection: Your current SIPs in Parag Parikh Flexi Cap, SBI Bluechip, and HDFC Large and Midcap are diversified across different market caps. This is a solid strategy, as it balances risk and return.

Flexi Cap Fund: This type of fund gives the fund manager the flexibility to switch between market caps based on market conditions. This can be advantageous, but the performance is highly dependent on the manager's skill.

Bluechip Fund: Large-cap funds like SBI Bluechip are relatively safer. They invest in established companies with a stable track record. This provides stability but limits the potential for very high returns.

Large and Midcap Fund: The HDFC Large and Midcap Fund balances the stability of large caps with the growth potential of mid-caps. This adds a layer of moderate risk to your portfolio.

Considering your goal, a mix of growth-oriented funds (like mid-cap and flexi-cap) and stability-focused funds (like large-cap) is good. However, given the education goal for your kids, a more aggressive strategy in the early years could potentially yield higher returns.

Contribution to NPS, EPF, and PPF
NPS: The National Pension System (NPS) is a good option for retirement planning. Your Rs. 14,000 monthly contribution is tax-efficient and offers decent returns. However, NPS has a lock-in until retirement, which may limit liquidity.

EPF: Your Rs. 12,000 contribution to EPF is another safe, tax-efficient option. It provides guaranteed returns and adds to your retirement corpus.

PPF: PPF is a safe investment with tax benefits. Your Rs. 10,000 monthly contribution ensures stable, long-term growth. However, the returns from PPF are modest compared to equity investments.

Assessing the ICICI Smart Kid Policy
Policy Overview: The ICICI Smart Kid policy is a combination of insurance and investment. You’ve been contributing Rs. 48,000 annually since 2016.

Policy Efficiency: Investment-cum-insurance policies generally offer lower returns compared to pure investment products like mutual funds. Moreover, the insurance coverage might not be adequate. It’s often better to separate insurance and investment.

Recommendation: Given the long-term goal and the potential underperformance of such policies, consider surrendering this policy and reallocating the funds to higher-performing mutual funds. You can use the surrender value to boost your SIP contributions.

Is Your Current SIP Sufficient for Rs. 1 Crore by 2034?
Projection: Your current SIP of Rs. 60,000 per month in the mentioned funds will need to grow at a significant rate to reach Rs. 1 crore by 2034. Assuming an average annual return of 12%, which is realistic for equity mutual funds, your portfolio could grow substantially. But it’s crucial to periodically review and adjust your SIP amounts to stay on track.

Potential Shortfall: If the market underperforms, you may face a shortfall. To mitigate this risk, consider increasing your SIP amount or reallocating funds to more aggressive growth options like mid-cap or small-cap funds. This can help bridge any potential gaps in your target amount.

Strategy for Retirement Planning
Current Contributions: Your NPS, EPF, and PPF contributions are all directed towards retirement. However, you should assess whether these will be sufficient to meet your retirement goals, considering inflation and lifestyle needs.

Retirement Corpus: The goal should be to accumulate a corpus that can generate a steady post-retirement income, adjusted for inflation. Given your current age and the fact that you have 20 years until retirement, you should focus on building a corpus that can sustain your desired lifestyle.

Asset Allocation: As you get closer to retirement, gradually shift towards safer assets like debt funds or fixed income instruments. But for now, focus on growth through equity funds.

Reevaluating Your Insurance Needs
Insurance Coverage: Ensure you have adequate life insurance, separate from your investments. Term insurance is a more cost-effective way to secure your family's future.

Health Insurance: Since you didn’t mention health insurance, it’s crucial to ensure you have adequate coverage for unforeseen medical expenses. If you don’t have one, consider a comprehensive family health insurance plan.

Final Insights
Increase SIP: Consider increasing your monthly SIP by at least Rs. 10,000 to ensure you meet your education goal for your children. This can be done gradually, as your income grows.

Reallocate Funds: Evaluate the ICICI Smart Kid policy and consider surrendering it to reallocate the funds to mutual funds. This could potentially offer better returns for your child’s education and your retirement planning.

Retirement Planning: Keep your focus on building a retirement corpus that accounts for inflation and rising expenses. Your current contributions are on track, but regular reviews are essential.

Regular Monitoring: Review your investments at least once a year. This will help you stay aligned with your goals and make necessary adjustments.

Best Regards,

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 04, 2025

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I am 37. I have recently started SIP and year back or so. I have invested 2 lkhs in equity stocks, around 3.75 lkhs as of now in mutual funds and 10lkhs in bank. I am earning 1.26 lkhs per month post tax. I am savings monthly around 45-50k per month as savings and around 38k in mutual funds through SIP( nifty 50, nifty next50, midcap 150, gold sip, hdfc small cap and motilal oswal midcap). I have just one loan of emi 14k. I want to build retirement corpus of around 1-2 cr in next 10-12 yrs..is this sip amount sufficient or should I increase this. Any inputs would be much much appreciated
Ans: It’s truly inspiring that at 37, you have taken charge of your finances so seriously. Starting SIPs, building savings, investing in mutual funds and stocks, and keeping debt minimal shows excellent financial discipline. You are doing many things right already. Now, let’s assess your current plan and build towards your retirement corpus with clarity.

» Assessing Your Existing Financial Commitments

– You earn Rs.1.26 lakhs monthly after tax.

– Your loan EMI is Rs.14,000, which is less than 15% of income.

– That means your debt level is very healthy.

– You are saving Rs.45,000 to Rs.50,000 monthly. That is strong.

– Rs.38,000 of this is going to SIPs. This is a focused effort.

– The balance is staying in bank or stocks.

– Your total mutual fund corpus is around Rs.3.75 lakhs.

– You also have Rs.10 lakhs in bank, which shows good liquidity buffer.

– Rs.2 lakhs in stocks adds an equity angle.

– All combined, this is a solid financial base.

» Retirement Goal – A Realistic View

– You want Rs.1 crore to Rs.2 crore in 10 to 12 years.

– This is possible with right strategy and consistency.

– Your current SIPs of Rs.38,000 monthly is a very good start.

– But Rs.38,000 per month alone may not be enough for Rs.2 crore in 12 years.

– You’ll need to either increase SIP amount or add lump sum regularly.

– Or both. The more disciplined you stay, the faster you reach the goal.

» Good That You Are Saving in Bank, But It Needs Tweaking

– Rs.10 lakhs in bank is too high for idle cash.

– It earns low interest, less than 4%.

– Inflation eats away the value over time.

– Keep 6 months of expenses in savings or liquid fund.

– That is roughly Rs.75,000 x 6 = Rs.4.5 lakhs.

– Rest of the Rs.5.5 lakhs can be invested in mutual funds.

– Or staggered into funds through Systematic Transfer Plan (STP).

– That way your retirement goal gets more power.

» Your Stock Investment – Keep It Limited

– Rs.2 lakh in equity stocks is fine now.

– But individual stock investing needs time and expertise.

– Mutual funds are better for goal-based long-term investment.

– Stocks can be volatile. You must track them regularly.

– Keep stocks to under 10% of your total portfolio.

– Let majority stay in mutual funds, managed by experts.

» Too Much Index Investing – Not Ideal for Your Case

– You are investing in Nifty 50, Nifty Next 50, and Midcap 150.

– These are index funds. They just copy market index.

– Index funds don’t protect against downside.

– If the index falls, your fund also falls equally.

– They don’t exit weak sectors or bad companies.

– In India, markets are still inefficient.

– Good fund managers can outperform the index.

– Actively managed funds offer better stock selection.

– They handle volatility with judgement, not blind rules.

– Shift from index-heavy portfolio to quality active mutual funds.

– It’s safer and better for long-term compounding.

» Having Small Cap and Mid Cap is Good – But Needs Balance

– You have HDFC Small Cap and Motilal Oswal Midcap.

– These are high-growth, high-volatility categories.

– Small caps can fall sharply in bear markets.

– Don’t keep more than 30% in small and mid cap combined.

– Keep rest in large-cap and flexi-cap funds.

– That brings stability with decent growth.

» You Can Skip Gold SIP for Now

– Gold is good for diversification, not wealth creation.

– Returns are not as high as equity.

– Gold protects during uncertainty, but not for long-term goals.

– Keep only 5% to 10% in gold at best.

– You can skip gold SIP now and divert to equity SIP.

» Direct Plans May Appear Cheaper – But Not Better

– You may be using direct plans for SIPs.

– Direct plans save on commission but offer no advice.

– If you continue in direct plans, you miss rebalancing support.

– You may also make changes emotionally.

– Regular plans through a Certified Financial Planner offer monitoring.

– You get reports, reviews, goal tracking, and fund reshuffling help.

– Cost is slightly higher, but benefits are far greater.

» Suggest Increasing SIP Gradually Every Year

– You already invest Rs.38,000 monthly in SIPs.

– Increase SIP by 10% every year as income grows.

– This gradual step up makes a big difference in 10 years.

– You can easily reach Rs.50,000 to Rs.60,000 SIP in 3 years.

– You don’t feel the burden, but returns grow fast.

» Use Annual Bonus or Hike for Retirement Fund

– Any bonus or surplus income can be partially invested.

– Don’t spend it all. Allocate 50% to mutual funds.

– Even small lump sum investments boost your corpus.

– You can park bonus in liquid fund and do STP into equity.

» Keep Your Emergency Fund Separate

– Keep Rs.4.5 lakhs in liquid fund or savings for emergencies.

– Don’t touch this for SIP or long-term investing.

– This buffer gives peace of mind.

– It avoids breaking mutual funds during crisis.

» Your Loan is Well Within Limits

– Your EMI of Rs.14,000 is less than 15% of income.

– That is a healthy ratio.

– If this is a home loan, you get tax benefit.

– Don’t prepay it unless you have surplus after investing.

– Focus more on increasing SIP than loan prepayment.

» Nominate Family for All Investments

– Ensure all mutual fund folios have nominee added.

– Same for your stocks and bank accounts.

– This makes transmission easy for your family.

– Keep one family member informed of all investments.

» Review Portfolio Once Every Year

– Don’t change SIPs frequently.

– Review once a year with Certified Financial Planner.

– Rebalance asset allocation if it has shifted.

– Replace poor performing funds if needed.

– Add new SIPs if income has increased.

– Use review as a progress check.

» Avoid NFOs, PMS, or Fancy Investments

– Don’t invest in New Fund Offers (NFOs) blindly.

– Most NFOs do not outperform existing funds.

– Stick to tried and tested funds with long history.

– Also avoid PMS and other complex options.

– Keep investing simple, clean, and purposeful.

» Retirement Is Achievable – But Needs Strict Action

– You are 37 now, with 10 to 12 years to retire.

– You must stay fully focused on this goal.

– Track your progress yearly, not monthly.

– SIP increase, lump sum additions, and discipline are key.

– Avoid distractions and short-term greed.

– Don’t withdraw funds for lifestyle or non-goal spending.

» Taxation on Mutual Funds – Plan Redemptions

– Equity funds held for more than 1 year are long-term.

– LTCG above Rs.1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.

– Short-term capital gains taxed at 20%.

– For debt funds, both gains taxed as per your slab.

– Plan redemption close to goal year for lower tax impact.

» Stay Invested for Full Period

– Don’t stop SIPs during market falls.

– That’s when you buy at lower prices.

– Compounding works well when you stay invested.

– Don’t touch mutual funds unless it is for your goal.

» Finally

– You have built a good start already.

– Just a few corrections and more structure is needed.

– Reduce index fund exposure gradually.

– Increase active fund SIPs under CFP guidance.

– Start using part of your bank savings towards goal-based mutual funds.

– Increase SIPs by 10% yearly, and use bonuses smartly.

– Track once a year, and stay on course.

– Retirement corpus of Rs.2 crore is surely achievable.

– Discipline, consistency, and expert advice will help you reach it faster.

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Nov 24, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 24, 2025Hindi
Money
Namaste Sir, I am a PSU Bank Employee aged 38 years working in Bank since 2010. My monthly net salary is 1.10 lacs. My wife is a Housewife and i have 2 children of 9 and 2 years. Presently my savings are as under: Mutual Fund: Rs. 52.00 lacs invested through SIPs and Lumpsum since 2018. presently my monthly SIP is 35,000. I have never closed my SIPs or paused them and have increased it over time as and when salary increased. I have another Rs. 40.00 lacs as on date in my NPS which includes mine (10% of basic) and my employer (14% of basic) contribution with monthly contribution around 24000. i also have PF balance of Rs. 19.00 lacs as on date and monthly contribution is Rs. 20000 including mine and employer. I have Term Plan of Rs. 1.75 crs. I have availed Housing Loan of Rs. 92.00 lacs in current FY and my repayment will start from April 2026 with monthly EMI at Rs. 42000/-. Can i assume that i will be able to generate a monthly income of Rs. 3.50 lacs through SWP when i attain 60 years assuming my Mutual fund of Rs. 52.00 lacs will stay invested. NPS and PF contribution will anyhow continue and will increase as per increase in salary as the same is being deducted through Salary and is a Statutory obligation. I will also try to continue SIP for at least Rs. 20000 from April next year as my Housing Loan EMI will commence. My family is covered under reimbursement scheme for any health issues from my Bank. My bank provides me with leased accomodation and convenience and as such my major expenses is taken care by bank. Can i expect my retirement corpus around 8-9 crores after 20 years?
Ans: Your clarity shows strong planning. Your long-term view is very inspiring. Your steady savings habits also show great discipline. Many people struggle with consistency. But you have shown strong control. You have created a stable base for a confident future.

» Your Present Strengths

You have built a strong base at 38 years. Your discipline is clear. You invest with care. You track your numbers well. You keep faith in long-term plans. This gives you a huge advantage.

Your MF value of Rs. 52 lakh at 38 years is very healthy. Many people do not reach even half by this age. Your long SIP history helps you build strong habits.

Your NPS balance of Rs. 40 lakh is also strong. You get both employer and employee share. This gives a steady push. Your NPS grows on its own every month.

Your PF value of Rs. 19 lakh also shows slow and steady wealth building. PF support keeps your retirement base steady.

Your term cover of Rs. 1.75 crore also protects your family strongly. Your dependents will stay safe if anything happens.

Your bank perks reduce your life stress. You enjoy leased home. You enjoy travel convenience. Your medical cover gives peace. Your living cost is low. These small points help your savings rise.

Your future commitment to continue SIP even after loan EMI shows strong intent. This adds to your long-term wealth.

All these points tell a positive story.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

» Assessment of Your Life Stage

Your age of 38 places you in a sweet zone. You have 22 years before 60. These years will decide your future wealth.

Your income is stable. PSU bank jobs give a steady rise. Your future salary will rise with promotions and revisions.

Your children are young. Their future needs will grow. You need to plan for education. You need to create buffers for health and life events.

Your home loan EMI of Rs. 42000 from 2026 will reduce your free cash. But your job perks reduce your stress. So your cash flow still stays strong.

You have strong long-term instruments. You have MF. You have PF. You have NPS. This gives you a mix of return, safety, and discipline.

Your future wealth will grow because of long compounding. Your steady SIP habit will boost your net worth.

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» Your Mutual Funds Assessment

Your MF value is Rs. 52 lakh. You invest Rs. 35000 every month. You plan to continue Rs. 20000 even after EMI starts.

This steady habit builds strong wealth. Long MF compounding grows well if you stay invested.

You have chosen SIP and lumpsum properly. You did not stop SIPs. You have increased them at times. This shows strong commitment.

But I must highlight one important point. You did not mention whether you use direct funds. If you use direct funds, I must explain the concerns.

Direct funds look cheaper.

But they give no personalised support.

They give no risk review.

They give no asset allocation check.

They give no guidance during market stress.

They give no ongoing course correction.

Many investors with direct funds panic in bad markets. They may stop SIPs or shift funds wrongly. They miss out on long-term growth. They lack behavioural support. Behaviour shapes wealth more than cost.

Regular plans through a qualified MFD with CFP guidance give more balance. You get asset review support. You get rebalancing support. You get emotional control support. You get practical advice during market swings. This helps you stay invested for long periods.

This benefit is far more valuable than the small cost difference.

Also, I must also warn about index funds if you use them. Index funds look easy. But they have real issues.

Index funds do not avoid market overvaluation.

They copy the index blindly.

They buy more of stocks that became expensive.

They do not protect in bad years.

They do not offer downside management.

They offer no active strategy.

They cannot use tactical shifts.

Actively managed funds give more room for smart allocation. They can reduce risk when sectors overheat. They can choose high potential companies early. They can adjust during volatility. This ability helps long-term growth.

So, your MF direction must favour active funds. And it must happen through regular mode for strong behavioural and advisory support.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

» NPS Assessment

Your NPS of Rs. 40 lakh is strong at 38. Your monthly share is around Rs. 24000. You also get employer contribution. This creates steady compounding.

NPS is a long-term wealth tool. It helps discipline. It grows slowly and safely. It forces a retirement mindset.

But you must remember one point. NPS has withdrawal rules. You cannot withdraw full amount. You must use some part for structured payout. But you have time. You can plan around it.

Your NPS will grow well because of long-term exposure to equity and debt mix. This gives stability.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

» PF Assessment

Your PF value of Rs. 19 lakh is healthy. PF grows slowly. But it is safe. It creates a stable base. Your monthly PF of Rs. 20000 improves safety.

PF works best when kept untouched for decades. You are doing that. This creates a reliable future base.

Your PF also protects your retirement. It gives risk-free growth. This is important in later years when you need steady income.

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» Term Insurance Assessment

Your term cover is Rs. 1.75 crore. Your income is Rs. 1.10 lakh per month. You have two small children. You have a home loan.

Your coverage is good. But in future, when salary rises, you may review cover. But right now, it is adequate.

Do not mix investment with insurance. Continue pure term cover. Avoid ULIP or endowment in future. They lock your money. They give low returns.

Only if you hold ULIP or LIC savings plans, you may shift to MF for better growth. But your message does not mention such policies. So no action needed.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

» Housing Loan Assessment

Your loan is Rs. 92 lakh. EMI will start in April 2026. EMI will be Rs. 42000. This EMI is manageable with your income.

Your bank perks help your lifestyle. So you can absorb EMI smoothly. You can continue SIP also. This gives strong benefit.

Your loan will slowly reduce your cash flow. But it also helps tax planning. And it adds discipline to your money use.

You should avoid prepayment if it affects your SIP. SIP gives better long-term growth. Loan gives low fixed cost. So SIP is more valuable.

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» Future Cash Flow Strength

Your salary is Rs. 1.10 lakh. Your perks reduce your core expenses. So you save well. Your SIP of Rs. 35000 shows strong saving power.

Once EMI starts, your free savings drop. But you still plan to invest Rs. 20000. This is excellent. This discipline shapes wealth.

Also, your NPS and PF continue without effort. These add large future value.

You must keep increasing SIP by small steps. Even Rs. 2000 increase yearly helps major growth.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

» Will You Reach Rs. 3.5 lakh Monthly SWP at 60?

You want to know if you can take Rs. 3.5 lakh per month at 60 years. This means Rs. 42 lakh per year.

You can aim for this target. But it needs strong planning. It needs steady discipline. It needs careful asset allocation after age 50. It needs slow and steady risk reduction later.

Your current assets already show strong momentum.

Your MF may grow well if you keep investing for 22 more years. Your PF will grow slowly but safely. Your NPS will grow strongly due to long tenure. Your loan will end before your retirement. Your financial stress will reduce then.

If you build a corpus of 8 to 9 crore at 60, you can try for a sustainable SWP. But you must not withdraw too fast in early years. A strong SWP needs balance and risk control.

A safe SWP rate depends on market conditions. Safe rate is usually low. But your target of Rs. 3.5 lakh per month is possible with a strong corpus. It needs proper planning and asset strategy.

You also must split your assets into growth and safety parts at retirement. You must keep liquid funds for 3 to 5 years of expenses. This protects you in bad markets.

So yes, this SWP target is possible. But it needs long discipline.

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» Will You Reach Rs. 8 to 9 crore in 20 Years?

You can target Rs. 8 to 9 crore. You have strong base. You have 22 years. You have good monthly investing habits. You have steady PF and NPS deposits. You have term cover. You have a home loan but still save.

Your MF alone can grow large if you continue SIP for long. Your PF will grow slowly but steadily. Your NPS will grow very strongly due to long lock-in.

Your loan EMI will reduce savings now. But later, after loan closure, your savings can rise again.

So yes, your target of Rs. 8 to 9 crore is realistic. But only if:

You maintain SIP without gaps.

You increase SIP when salary rises.

You do not stop NPS or PF.

You avoid emotional reactions in markets.

You manage risk after age 50.

You avoid ULIP or low-return insurance plans.

You stick to active funds.

You use regular mode with CFP supported guidance.

This path keeps you safe.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

» Key Areas To Focus Now

Keep SIP steady and rising.

Avoid large lifestyle jumps.

Increase SIP every year.

Keep MF fully active style.

Avoid direct funds for long-term safety.

Avoid index funds due to passive issues.

Maintain PF and NPS discipline.

Review insurance after salary rise.

Build emergency fund equal to six months.

Avoid personal loans and card loans.

Plan education fund for children slowly.

Keep home loan as planned.

Focus on long compounding.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

» Asset Allocation Guidance

Right now, your allocation is growth focused. This is fine for age 38. But after age 50, start lowering risk. Keep slow shift every year. This keeps your future income stable.

Your PF and NPS add natural safety. Your MF gives growth. This mix works well.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

» Health Cover Assessment

Your bank gives medical cover. This is helpful. But after retirement, this cover may end. You need private family cover after retirement.

Buy health cover before age 45. Early buy keeps premium low. This avoids risk of future rejection.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

» Children Planning

Your children are age 9 and 2. Their future education cost is big. You must start a separate SIP for education. Even small monthly SIP starts the process.

Do not merge education money with retirement money. Keep both separate. This helps you protect your retirement.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

» Retirement Lifestyle Assessment

You want Rs. 3.5 lakh per month. This is high for today. But inflation will increase needs. Your income needs at 60 will be higher. Your target is reasonable.

You must create a balanced mix of growth assets and stable assets at 60. This mix gives long-term safety. It also gives inflation protection.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

» What You Should Change

You should review fund mode. If you use direct mode, shift to regular with CFP-backed MFD support. This helps you manage stress in future. This protects long-term returns.

If you use index funds, shift to active funds. Active funds support better downside control. Passive funds do not offer support during market peaks or crashes.

Do not invest in ULIPs. Do not buy savings insurance. Do not mix insurance and investment.

Do not prepay home loan if it reduces SIP. SIP gives richer long-term benefit.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

» What You Should Continue

Continue MF SIP. Continue PF. Continue NPS. Continue term cover. Continue low-cost lifestyle. Continue disciplined saving. Continue long-term focus. Continue strong stability approach.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

» Final Insights

You have built a strong financial base at 38. Your savings habit is rare and valuable. Your discipline gives you a direct path to long-term comfort.

Your goal of Rs. 8 to 9 crore is realistic. Your dream of Rs. 3.5 lakh monthly SWP is also possible. You must stay committed. You must keep increasing SIP. You must avoid bad instruments. You must use proper asset mix.

Your future looks strong with discipline and clarity. Your progress already shows strong momentum. You only need steady focus and controlled habits.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 06, 2025Hindi
Money
Dear Sir/Ma'am, I need some guidance and advice for continuing my mutual fund investments. I am a 36 year old male, married, no kids yet and no debts/liabilities as such. I have couple of savings in PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and long term investing in direct stocks. I recently started below mentioned SIPs for long term to grow wealth. Request you to review the same and let me know if I should continue with the SIPs or need to rationalize. Kindly also advice on how to invest a lumpsum amount of around 6lacs. invesco small cap 2000 motilal oswal midcap 2700 parag parikh flexicap 3000 HDFC flexicap 3100 ICICI prudential largecap 3100 HDFC large and midcap 3100 HDFC gold etf FOF 2000 ICICI Pru equity and debt fund 3000 HDFC balanced advantage fund 3000 nippon india silver etf FOF 2000
Ans: You already built a solid foundation. Many investors delay planning. But you started early at 36. That gives you a strong advantage. You have no liabilities. You have long term thinking. You also have diversified savings like PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and direct stocks. That shows clarity and discipline. This approach builds wealth with less stress over time.

You also started systematic investments in equity funds. That is a positive step. Your selection covers multiple categories like large cap, mid cap, small cap, flexi cap, hybrid and precious metals. So the intent is right. You are trying to create a broad portfolio. That gives balance.

» Your Portfolio Composition Understanding
Your current SIP list includes:

Small cap

Mid cap

Flexi cap

Large cap

Large and mid cap

Hybrid category

Gold and Silver FoF

Equity and Debt allocation fund

Dynamic hybrid fund

This shows you are trying to cover many segments. But too many categories can create overlap. When there is overlap, you get confusion during review. It also makes portfolio discipline difficult. You may think you are diversified. But the holdings inside may repeat. That reduces efficiency.

Your portfolio now looks like:

Equity dominant

Hybrid for stability

Metals for hedge

So the broad direction is fine. But simplifying helps in long-term habit building.

» Fund Category Duplication
You hold:

Two flexi cap funds

One large and mid cap fund

One pure large cap fund

One mid cap fund

One small cap fund

Flexi cap funds already invest across large, mid, small. Then large and mid also overlaps. So the large cap exposure gets repeated. That may not add extra benefit. But it increases monitoring complexity.

So I suggest rationalising. Keep one fund per category in core. Keep satellite space for only high conviction.

» Core and Satellite Strategy
A structured portfolio follows core and satellite method.

Core portfolio should be:

Simple

Long term

Stable

Satellite portfolio can be:

High growth

Concentrated

Based on your thinking level, you can structure like this:

Core funds:

One large cap

One flexi cap

One hybrid equity and debt fund

One balanced advantage type fund

Satellite funds:

One mid cap

One small cap

One metal allocation if needed

This division gives clarity. You can continue SIPs with review every year. No need to stop and restart often. That reduces behavioural mistakes.

» Your Current SIP List Review with Suggested Streamlining

You can consider continuing:

One flexi cap

One large cap

One mid cap

One small cap

One balanced advantage

One equity and debt hybrid

You may reconsider keeping both flexi caps and both gold silver funds. One of each category is enough. Because too many funds do not increase returns. It complicates tracking.

Precious metal funds should not be more than 5 to 7 percent in your portfolio. This is because metals are hedge assets. They do not create compounding like equity. They act as protection during cycles. So keep them small.

» How to Use the Rs 6 Lakh Lump Sum
You asked about lump sum investing. This is important. Lump sum should not go fully into equity at one time. Markets move in cycles. So use a staggered method. You can invest the lump sum through STP (Systematic Transfer Plan). You can keep the amount in a liquid fund and set STP toward your chosen growth funds over 6 to 12 months.

This reduces timing risk. It also creates discipline. So your Rs 6 lakh can be deployed gradually. You may use 50% towards core equity funds and 30% toward satellite growth category. The remaining 20% can go into hybrid category. This gives balance and comfort.

» Regular Funds Over Direct Funds
One important point many investors miss. Direct funds look cheaper. But they demand deep knowledge, discipline, and behaviour control. Most investors lose more through emotional selling and wrong timing than they save on expense ratio.

With regular funds through a Mutual Fund Distributor with Certified Financial Planner qualification, you get guidance, structure and correction. The advisory discipline protects you during market extremes. That is more valuable than a small saving in expense ratio.

A personalised planner also tracks portfolio drift, rebalancing need and category shifts. So regular fund investing gives long-term benefit and behaviour coaching.

» Actively Managed Funds over Index or ETF
Some investors choose index funds or ETF thinking they are simple and cheap. But they ignore drawbacks.

Index funds or ETF will not avoid weak companies in the index. They will invest whether the company grows or struggles. There is no fund manager decision making. So when markets are at peak, index funds continue aggressive exposure. In downturns also they fall fully. There is no cushion.

Actively managed funds work with research teams. They can avoid bad sectors. They can shift allocation based on market and economy. Over long term, this gives better alpha and stability. So continuing with actively managed funds creates better wealth compounding.

» SIP Continuation Strategy
Once the rationalisation is done, continue SIPs every month without interruption. Pause and restart behaviour damages compounding power. SIP works best when you go through all market cycles. You benefit more during corrections because cost averaging works.

So continue SIP amount. You can also review SIP increase every year based on income. Increasing SIP by 10 to 15 percent every year helps you reach large corpus faster.

» Asset Allocation Based Approach
One key point in wealth creation is having the right asset mix. Equity gives growth. Hybrid gives balance. Metals give hedge. Debt gives safety. Your asset allocation should stay aligned to your risk profile and time horizon.

Since you are young and have long term horizon, higher equity allocation is fine. But as time moves, rebalancing is important. Rebalancing protects gains and restores allocation.

So review your asset allocation every year or during major life events like child birth, home buying or retirement planning.

» Behaviour Management
Many portfolios fail not due to bad funds. They fail due to bad decisions. Selling during correction. Stopping SIP when market falls. Chasing past return performance. These mistakes reduce wealth.

Your discipline so far is good. Continue to stay patient during volatility. Equity rewards patience and time.

» Financial Goals Clarity
Since you have no children now, you can decide your long-term goals. Typical goals may include:

Retirement

Future child education

Dream lifestyle purchase

Health care reserves

When goals are clear, investment purpose becomes stronger. So you can map each fund category to goal horizon. Short-term goals should not use equity. Long-term goals should use equity with hybrid support.

» Role of Review and Monitoring
Review once in a year is enough. Frequent review can create anxiety. Annual review helps check:

Fund performance

Expense drift

Category relevance

Allocation balance

Then adjust only if needed. This progress helps you stay confident and aligned.

» Taxation Awareness
Equity mutual funds taxation rules are:

Short term (below one year holding) taxable at 20 percent

Long term (above one year holding) gains above Rs 1.25 lakh taxable at 12.5 percent

Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income slab.

So always hold equity funds for long term. That reduces tax impact and gives better growth.

» SIP Increase Plan
You can create a simple plan to increase SIP over time. For example:

Increase SIP at every salary increment

Increase SIP during bonus time

Use rewards or extra income for investing

This habit accelerates wealth. So by the time you reach 45 to 50 years, your investments could reach a strong level.

» Insurance and Protection
Before investing large, ensure you have term insurance and health insurance. If not already done, it is important. Insurance protects wealth. Without insurance, even a small medical event can impact investment plan. So review this part also. Since you are married, cover both.

» Wealth Behaviour Mindset
You are already disciplined. Just keep these simple principles:

Invest without stopping

Review once a year

Avoid funds overlap

Follow asset allocation

Avoid reacting to media noise

This helps you reach long term milestones.

» Finally
You are on the right track. Only fine tuning and simplification is needed. Your discipline is visible. Your portfolio will grow well with structure, patience and periodic review. Use the Rs 6 lakh with STP approach. And continue SIP with rationalised categories.

With time and consistency, wealth creation becomes effortless and peaceful. You just need to stay committed and avoid overthinking during market movements.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1837 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 05, 2025

Career
Dear Sir, I did my BTech from a normal engineering college not very famous. The teaching was not great and hence i did not study well. I tried my best to learn coding including all the technologies like html,css,javascript,react js,dba,php because i wanted to be a web developer But nothing seem to enter my head except html and css. I don't understand a language which has more complexities. Is it because of my lack of experience or not devoting enough time. I am not sure. I did many courses online and tried to do diplomas also abroad which i passed somehow. I recently joined android development course because i like apps but the teaching was so fast that i could not memorize anything. There was no time to even take notes down. During the course i did assignments and understood the code because i have to pass but after the course is over i tend to forget everything. I attempted a lot of interviews. Some of them i even got but could not perform well so they let me go. Now due to the AI booming and job markets in a bad shape i am re-thinking whether to keep studying or whether its just time waste. Since 3 years i am doing labour type of jobs which does not yield anything to me for survival and to pay my expenses. I have the quest to learn everything but as soon as i sit in front of the computer i listen to music or read something else. What should i do to stay more focused? What should i do to make myself believe confident. Is there still scope of IT in todays world? Kindly advise.
Ans: Your story does not show failure.
It shows persistence, effort, and desire to improve.

Most people give up.
You didn’t.
That means you will succeed — but with the right method, not the old one.

...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.

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