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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |6986 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 04, 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 - May 31, 2024Hindi
Money

Sir i am 61 retired. I am single staying with my mother. We don't have health insurance but have 7 crores in fixed deposits and anither 10 crores in nsdl as tax free bonds and equity. Rent we get 38k I am not sure will this be enough due to high inflation which keeps increasing every year. Kindly advice.

Ans: Firstly, congratulations on your diligent savings and wise investments. You have built a substantial portfolio with Rs. 7 crores in fixed deposits, Rs. 10 crores in tax-free bonds and equity, and an additional rental income of Rs. 38,000 per month. Your concern about inflation and future financial security is valid. Let's explore a comprehensive plan to ensure your and your mother's financial well-being.

Understanding Your Current Financial Situation

Your current assets provide a solid foundation. Fixed deposits offer safety, tax-free bonds provide steady income, and equities ensure growth potential. Your rental income adds a steady cash flow. However, inflation can erode purchasing power over time, making it essential to plan strategically.

Evaluating Your Income Sources

Fixed Deposits: Rs. 7 crores in fixed deposits provide safety and regular interest income. The interest rates on FDs have been relatively low, impacting overall returns.

Tax-Free Bonds and Equity: Rs. 10 crores in tax-free bonds and equity offer a mix of stability and growth. Tax-free bonds provide regular interest without tax implications, while equities offer potential for capital appreciation.

Rental Income: Rs. 38,000 per month adds Rs. 4.56 lakhs annually. This can cover a portion of your living expenses, but may not suffice due to inflation.

Addressing Inflation Concerns

Inflation is a key concern, as it reduces purchasing power. Your portfolio should outpace inflation to maintain your lifestyle. Let's break down strategies to manage and mitigate inflation risk.

Diversifying Your Investments

Balanced Portfolio: Maintain a balanced portfolio with a mix of fixed income, equities, and other investment options. This helps in managing risk and returns.

Equity Exposure: Equities typically outpace inflation over the long term. Maintain a portion of your portfolio in equities to ensure growth.

Debt Instruments: Diversify within debt instruments, including corporate bonds, government securities, and fixed deposits, to manage interest rate risk.

Implementing Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP)

SWP Setup: Post-retirement, set up an SWP from your mutual fund investments to ensure regular monthly income.

Capital Preservation: Withdraw a portion of returns, keeping principal invested for ongoing growth.

Health Insurance Planning

Importance of Health Insurance: Health insurance is crucial to protect against high medical expenses. Lack of coverage can lead to financial strain.

Senior Citizen Health Plans: Consider purchasing senior citizen health insurance plans. These offer coverage tailored to older individuals.

Comparative Analysis: Compare different health insurance plans based on coverage, premiums, and claim settlement ratio.

Tax Planning

Tax-Free Bonds: Utilize tax-free bonds to enjoy tax-free interest income, enhancing post-tax returns.

Tax-Efficient Withdrawals: Plan withdrawals from investments to minimize tax liability. Utilize long-term capital gains tax benefits where applicable.

Regular Review: Periodically review tax-saving investments and strategies to optimize tax efficiency.

Estate Planning

Will Creation: Create a will to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes. This avoids legal complications.

Nomination Updates: Ensure all investments have updated nominations to facilitate smooth transfer to beneficiaries.

Trust Formation: Consider forming a trust for managing and distributing your assets, especially if you have complex financial arrangements.

Emergency Fund

Adequate Fund: Maintain an emergency fund covering 6-12 months of living expenses. This provides a buffer against unexpected expenses.

Liquid Investments: Keep the emergency fund in liquid investments, such as savings accounts or short-term fixed deposits, for easy access.

Long-Term Care

Long-Term Care Insurance: Explore long-term care insurance options to cover potential future healthcare needs, ensuring peace of mind.

Assisted Living: Consider potential costs of assisted living or home care services as part of long-term planning.

Surrendering Traditional Insurance Policies

Reevaluation: Evaluate traditional insurance policies like LIC, ULIPs, and investment-cum-insurance plans. These often have high costs and lower returns.

Reinvestment: Surrender such policies and reinvest in mutual funds or other higher-yielding investments for better returns.

Professional Guidance

Certified Financial Planner: Engage with a Certified Financial Planner for personalized advice, tailored to your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Periodic Reviews: Conduct periodic reviews with your planner to adjust the strategy based on changing financial needs and market conditions.

Empathy and Understanding

We understand the importance of financial security, especially in retirement. Your disciplined savings and investments reflect a prudent approach. Ensuring ongoing financial stability, managing inflation, and securing healthcare are critical steps.

Compliments on Your Financial Discipline

Your significant savings and investments are commendable. They reflect a strong financial discipline and foresight. Your concern for future financial stability indicates a responsible approach to managing wealth.

Detailed Strategy Analysis

Fixed Deposits: Fixed deposits offer safety but may not keep pace with inflation. Consider partial reallocation to higher-yield investments.

Tax-Free Bonds: Tax-free bonds provide steady income and are beneficial from a tax perspective. Maintain a portion in these bonds for stability.

Equity Investments: Equities can help counter inflation. Maintain a diversified equity portfolio for growth potential.

Rental Income: Rental income supplements your cash flow. Ensure the property remains well-maintained to attract tenants and avoid vacancies.

Healthcare Coverage

Urgency of Health Insurance: At 61, securing health insurance is crucial. It protects against high medical costs, which can deplete savings.

Senior Citizen Plans: Explore senior citizen-specific health insurance plans. These cater to older adults' needs and offer comprehensive coverage.

Coverage Comparison: Compare different health plans to choose one with broad coverage, affordable premiums, and good claim settlement ratios.

Investment Rebalancing

Gradual Shift: Gradually shift some funds from fixed deposits to balanced mutual funds or debt funds. This strategy manages risk while aiming for higher returns.

STP and SWP: Implement Systematic Transfer Plans (STP) to move funds to balanced or debt mutual funds. Use Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWP) for regular income.

Portfolio Diversification: Maintain a diversified portfolio with a mix of equity, debt, and alternative investments to manage risk and returns.

Inflation-Proofing Your Portfolio

Equity Allocation: Maintain a portion of your portfolio in equities to combat inflation. Equities typically outperform inflation over the long term.

Real Return Focus: Focus on investments that offer real returns (returns after adjusting for inflation) to preserve purchasing power.

Regular Financial Reviews

Annual Reviews: Conduct annual financial reviews with your Certified Financial Planner to adjust the strategy based on market conditions and life changes.

Adjusting Allocations: Adjust your investment allocations as needed to ensure they align with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Estate Planning and Nominations

Will and Trusts: Create a will and consider forming a trust for smooth asset distribution and management.

Updated Nominations: Ensure all investments and accounts have updated nominations to facilitate easy transfer to beneficiaries.

Conclusion

Your substantial savings and investments provide a strong financial foundation. By addressing inflation, securing healthcare, and diversifying your portfolio, you can ensure a comfortable retirement. Engaging with a Certified Financial Planner for personalized advice and periodic reviews will help maintain financial stability and peace of mind.

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  |6986 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 23, 2024

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Hello sir, I am 36 yrs serving in a PSU. I am having 1.6 lakh PM gross salary. I deposite 1.5 lakh in self PPF, 1.5 LAKH in wife PPF and 1.5 lakh in daughter(7 yrs old) SSY(for which i opened an FD, RD and SIP MF to get 4.5 lakh at 1st week of april to deposite). Also i and my wife having LIC policies of 12 lakh S.A. (jeevan labh) for which i deposite 10500/- pm altogether. I am covered with suffucient amount of compulsary term insurance by office. Also we are covered under compulsary mediclaim by office. In NPS 29k is being deposited monthly as on date(including employers 14%).I have 2 kids(7 yrs daughter and 3 yrs son). Is it sufficient for my future?????
Ans: At 36 years old and serving in a PSU, you have a solid financial foundation. Your monthly gross salary of Rs 1.6 lakh and various investments show your commitment to securing your future. Let's assess your current situation and see if it’s sufficient for your future needs.

Existing Investments
PPF Contributions:

Rs 1.5 lakh in your PPF.
Rs 1.5 lakh in your wife’s PPF.
These provide long-term tax-free returns.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY):

Rs 1.5 lakh annually for your daughter.
You have planned an FD, RD, and SIP to fund this.
LIC Policies:

Policies with a sum assured of Rs 12 lakh.
Monthly premium of Rs 10,500.
Term Insurance and Mediclaim:

Adequate term insurance from your employer.
Comprehensive health insurance cover for the family.
National Pension System (NPS):

Monthly contribution of Rs 29,000 (including employer’s contribution).
This will help build a substantial corpus for retirement.
Financial Goals and Assessment
Children’s Education:

Ensure you have planned for your children’s higher education.
Costs can be substantial, and early planning helps.
Retirement Planning:

Your NPS contributions are a good start.
Consider additional investments for a comfortable retirement.
Emergency Fund:

Maintain an emergency fund for unforeseen expenses.
Typically, this should cover 6-12 months of expenses.
Recommendations
Review and Adjust Insurance:

Evaluate your LIC policies. They might offer low returns.
Consider investing in mutual funds for higher returns.
Increase Equity Exposure:

SIP in mutual funds offers better long-term returns.
Avoid index funds; opt for actively managed funds for higher growth.
Education Fund for Kids:

Start a dedicated fund for your children’s education.
Equity mutual funds can help grow this corpus.
Regular Financial Review:

Periodically review your financial plan.
Adjust based on life changes and financial goals.
Consult a Certified Financial Planner:

A CFP can provide tailored advice.
They help optimize your investments and ensure you meet your financial goals.
Insight into Insurance Policies
Life Insurance:

Your LIC policies might not be the best investment.
Consider surrendering and reinvesting in mutual funds for better returns.
Term Insurance:

Ensure your term insurance cover is adequate.
This protects your family in case of any unfortunate event.
Benefits of Professional Guidance
Certified Financial Planner (CFP):
A CFP can help balance your portfolio.
They provide insights into better investment options and tax-saving strategies.
Final Insights
Diversify Investments:

Diversify across different asset classes.
Balance between equity, debt, and insurance.
Focus on Long-term Goals:

Plan for your retirement and children’s education.
Regularly review and adjust your financial plan.
Seek Professional Advice:

A Certified Financial Planner can offer a 360-degree solution.
They ensure your investments are aligned with your long-term goals.
Summary
Your current investments are solid.
Review and adjust your insurance policies.
Increase equity exposure for better long-term returns.
Consult a Certified Financial Planner for tailored advice.
Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Milind

Milind Vadjikar  |592 Answers  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Sep 16, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 16, 2024Hindi
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Money
I am 50 getting retirement in next 10 years now my net salary after deduction 70000, I made 25000 sip from this year upto 10 years I have to own houses and 30 lakhs lic which will come in next year , I want purchase one flat fr rs 25 lakhs ,fr retirement I want month of rs 75000 per months is it enough after 10 yrs , my daughter is studying in b.e in 2yr and son 8th standard.
Ans: Your current earnings of 70K per month if adjusted for inflation(6% assumed)10 years would be 1.25 L.

Assuming you will need 70% of that inflation adjusted value to cover your regular expenses in retirement so your monthly payout requirement will be 70% of 1.25 L=87.5K
A sip of 25 K for 10 years will yield you a corpus of 61.67 L.
A 6% annuity will yield you a monthly income of 30.8K.
If you have corpus available through other sources like EPF, PPF upto 1.13 Cr after 10 years then NO issue the current sip will suffice. (113+61.67=174.67)
A 6% annuity of 1.7467 Cr will yield you monthly payout of around 87.5K
Else you may need to do a sip of 32K for 15 years to reach targetted corpus.
It can be achieved in 10 years too but the sip amount comes to 71K more then your monthly income of 70K hence redundant. (All sip returns are assumed from an equity fund at a modest rate of 13%)

The LIC policy maturity proceeds can be used to purchase the flat as desired.

However more important goals before retirement are the education funding requirement for your children.

I hope you have made provisions towards the same.

*Investments in mutual funds are subject to market risks. Please read all scheme related documents carefully before investing

If you need any further clarity, kindly revert.

Happy Investing!!

..Read more

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Help me!!! 1.I'm starting new "work" on my own(challenging for me) but my mind says quit it, be quite & do nothing. I myself don't know that wether the result of work will be +ive or uncompleted like alws. 2. My mind has become like order seeker type, when someone orders me, I do those things with dedicated(but sad from inside) manner. But when myself will try something different(which i fear, but necessary) then. "I QUITS IT" & sometimes I don't even start. 3. I'm like stuck no clue what/whom I want to do in life, I'm in cllg(1 yr) doing (CSE) ,. 4. I want to do/try (sports,talking girls,study,stocks,coding..) many things, but myself, my thoughts(overthinker), R like just be in the place where u are[confused,po*n,think about past/future(being billio..re,olympics..), girl (that u liked & never talked), abusive/beating self,.. sometimes feels like end life, but don't hv courage for that also.. 5. I tried self help books, spirituality, god, self affirmation, writing... & thay affected me(sometimes) but for only some time, then again that devil me comes up &these things never get completed. As no one in my family knows about all these, so that's Y ,I hv to fight/loose/try again, the battles with myself.
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Also, focus on one thing at a time; study and go deep into it...what's this thing with work? I don't understand. When the mind is unsettled, take one thing/activity, pursue it and finish it. It could simply be studying for Year 1 of your college...just only do that...once your mind is trained in completing an activity, you can add another one the next year along with studying and then pursue both...it could be some sport and studying...then the next year, you could add a third activity. This is called 'training the mind in discipline'. Discipline will make sure that you start and finish things...So, go slow and do one thing at a time.

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Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

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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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