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Ramalingam Kalirajan |10872 Answers |Ask -Follow

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 28, 2025

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

Question by Venkat on May 28, 2025

I am 57 and have 1-2 years left for retirement. I have a liquidity of 35 L + which excludes 50 L in FD and 20 L in NCDs besides a equity portfolio of 35 L. A monthly SIP of 8K in equity funds is running. I have my own Health insurance and for family and is adequately covered.Life term plan of 75 L . Since i will be retiring within 2 tears need to balance my portfolio and make best use of the current funds . Pls suggest the bestvway to go about - Thanks Venkat

Ans: Thank you for sharing your complete financial picture.

At age 57, with only 1–2 years left before retirement, it’s wise to fine-tune your investments.

Your discipline and asset-building efforts are appreciable.

Let’s now build a structured approach to manage your portfolio efficiently, before and after retirement.

Below is a 360-degree personalised recommendation, explained simply and in detail.

1. Snapshot of Your Current Position
Age: 57 years

Retirement: Expected in 1–2 years

Term Life Insurance: Rs. 75 lakh cover

Health Insurance: Adequate cover for self and family

SIPs: Ongoing Rs. 8,000 in equity mutual funds

Assets:

Liquid cash: Rs. 35 lakh

Fixed Deposits: Rs. 50 lakh

NCDs: Rs. 20 lakh

Equity investments: Rs. 35 lakh

2. Key Retirement Goals
Ensure monthly income to meet expenses after retirement

Keep liquidity for health, emergencies, and family needs

Protect capital while beating inflation

Simplify asset allocation for peace of mind

3. Asset Allocation Strategy
Now your focus must shift from growth to stability with reasonable returns.

Your portfolio should move to a mix of income-generating and low-volatility assets.

Ideal mix for your profile is:

60% in low-risk debt instruments

30% in moderate-risk hybrid and equity funds

10% in high-liquidity options

4. Safe and Steady Debt Instruments (60%)
Debt gives peace of mind and predictable income.

You already have Rs. 50 lakh in fixed deposits.

But FDs alone are not efficient for income and taxation.

Reallocation is recommended as below:

Use part of the FDs for monthly income options

Use some amount in government-backed savings schemes

Recommended Debt Options
Senior Citizen Saving Schemes (SCSS)

Good safety and high interest payout every 3 months

Limit of Rs. 30 lakh per individual

Ideal for monthly income post-retirement

Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS)

Monthly payout ideal for day-to-day expenses

Maximum Rs. 15 lakh allowed

Capital is safe and locked for 5 years

Short-Term Debt Mutual Funds

Better tax efficiency over time than FDs

Returns are higher than savings accounts

Good for 1–3 years money with easy withdrawal

Distribute Rs. 60–70 lakh among these options for income, capital safety, and tax efficiency.

5. Hybrid and Balanced Growth Funds (30%)
Equity is needed to beat inflation even during retirement.

But pure equity is risky in short term.

You should now reduce equity risk and still keep some growth.

Balanced and multi-asset funds help here.

Recommended Hybrid Fund Types
Balanced Advantage Funds

These change equity and debt ratio based on market

Useful for reducing risk without exiting equities

Multi-Asset Funds

Invests in equity, debt, and gold together

Well-diversified with moderate returns and low volatility

You may move Rs. 25 lakh from pure equity to these hybrid funds.

It’s better to do this in 3–6 months via monthly switch.

6. Emergency and Liquidity (10%)
Emergency money must be accessible immediately without any penalty.

This money should be kept aside even post-retirement.

You should keep around Rs. 7–8 lakh in liquid options.

Best Places to Park Emergency Money
Savings Bank Account – For immediate use

Liquid Mutual Funds – Slightly better return than savings account

Sweep-In FDs – Offers both interest and liquidity flexibility

Don’t invest emergency funds in any risky or long-term options.

7. Monthly Income After Retirement
Once you retire, your monthly expenses must come from investments.

Start a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) from hybrid or debt mutual funds.

This is more tax-efficient than FDs.

You can withdraw Rs. 20,000–30,000 monthly depending on need.

Also, use SCSS and POMIS interest payouts as monthly income.

This will reduce the need to touch equity corpus often.

8. Equity Mutual Fund SIP – What to Do
You are running a SIP of Rs. 8,000 per month.

Since retirement is close, you should gradually reduce this SIP.

Redirect the SIP to balanced or hybrid funds instead of pure equity.

It will help in smoother transition and reduce risk.

No need to stop completely now, just change the fund type.

9. Tax Planning Post Retirement
After retirement, your tax slab may reduce.

This will help in planning withdrawals smartly.

Tax Treatment for Your Instruments
FD interest is fully taxable

SCSS and POMIS interest also taxable

Equity mutual funds:

LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%

STCG taxed at 20%

Debt mutual funds taxed as per your slab

Use SWP in mutual funds to reduce tax burden compared to FD interest.

Submit 15H for FDs to avoid TDS if applicable.

Plan withdrawals across different instruments to avoid crossing higher tax slabs.

10. Insurance Review
You have a Rs. 75 lakh term life policy.

Keep this till retirement ends.

No need to buy new life insurance at this stage.

Health insurance is already in place.

You may add a super top-up health cover if you foresee higher medical costs.

It’s cost-effective and gives higher coverage.

Check cashless network and hospital coverage annually.

11. Review of NCD Investments
You hold Rs. 20 lakh in NCDs.

These give good returns but come with some credit risk.

As you near retirement, reduce exposure to high-risk NCDs.

Shift part of this to safer debt mutual funds or government-backed options.

If NCDs are maturing soon, don’t renew into similar high-risk instruments.

12. Rebalancing Pure Equity Holdings
You hold Rs. 35 lakh in equities.

This is a significant part of your portfolio.

You must gradually shift some funds from pure equity to hybrid mutual funds.

Don’t sell all at once – use staggered exit over few months.

It avoids tax spikes and reduces market risk.

Stay away from high-volatility stocks now.

13. Importance of Regular Portfolio Review
Retirement portfolio must be reviewed once a year.

Check asset allocation and rebalance if needed.

Look at each instrument’s return and purpose.

Adjust SWP amount based on actual expenses.

Review health and insurance plans yearly.

Discuss changes with a Certified Financial Planner if uncertain.

14. Estate Planning Guidance
Start preparing a simple will to distribute your assets smoothly.

Mention all account and asset details clearly.

Keep nominations updated in bank, MF, and insurance accounts.

Also inform family members about your investments and access details.

This will save them from hassles later.

15. Final Insights
You are already ahead of many in your preparation.

Your asset base is strong and diversified.

Now, you need to focus on structure and risk-reduction.

Ensure you generate monthly income, keep capital safe, and beat inflation.

Balance comfort and returns with well-divided asset allocation.

Don’t chase high returns now – aim for peace and sustainability.

Use a Certified Financial Planner for detailed and personalised rebalancing.

Make adjustments slowly but steadily.

You will enter retirement with confidence and clarity.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

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

Asked on - May 28, 2025 | Answered on May 28, 2025

Thankyou Ram well appreciated for your quick and fast response . Can u suggest hybrid/ equity funds which can be looked upon for diversification

Ans: Thank you for your kind words. I truly appreciate it.

For diversification, hybrid and equity mutual funds are great options. You may look at:

Balanced advantage funds

Multi asset funds

For scheme-specific recommendations, please contact a Certified Financial Planner and Mutual Fund Distributor like us.

If you wish to reach me, kindly connect through the website mentioned below.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

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