Hi,
I am 36 year old and employed in Govt sector. I have three kids of 9,2&1 years. I have monthly Gross salary of ?2.4 lakhs before tax. I don't have any liabilities in form of loans or EMI. My assets are as follows:-
Provident fund - ?70 lakhs
Monthly contribution to PF - ?40000/-
I have 06 mutual funds with monthly subscription of ?10000 each. Present value of MF is ?23 lakhs. My funds are :-
1. Kotak Emerging Equity Fund
2. SBI Small Cap Fund
3. Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund
4. Mirae Asset ELSS Tax Saver Fund
5. Quant Small Cap Fund
6. Edelweiss Balanced Advantage Fund
I have an insurance cover policy of Rs 2 Cr from HDFC.
I have an additional insurance cover of ?1.25 Cr from my organisation.
I have Sukanya Samridhi Yojna subscription for my 2 eldest kids at monthly subscription of ?12500/-.
I have a "Promise for Growth Care" investment plan from "Canara Oriental HSBC" At a monthly subscription of ?12500/- with payment tern of 10 years and coverage for 20 years (insurance cover ?15 lakhs included in it).
I have a Bajaj Allianz "Goal Assure II" plan for monthly subscription of ?5000/-. Payment term 5 years and coverage for 20 years (insurance cover of ?6 lakhs covered).
I have ?25 lakhs cash in hand. Out of these I am planning to invest ?20 lakhs in Sovereign Gold Bonds.
I wish to retire at 56 years.
Please suggest me about any requirement to change/ reallocate any investments from existing ones.
Will this investment strategy hold me good for requirement during higher education of kids and their other requirements like marriage etc after 20 years.
Please suggest any changes if required.
Thank you.
Regards
Ans: You've done a commendable job in setting up a diverse investment portfolio and securing insurance coverage. Let's evaluate your current strategy and suggest improvements.
Provident Fund and Insurance
Your provident fund balance of Rs. 70 lakhs and a monthly contribution of Rs. 40,000 is a strong foundation for retirement. Your insurance coverage of Rs. 2 crore from HDFC and an additional Rs. 1.25 crore from your organisation ensures financial security for your family.
However, evaluating the insurance cover every few years is advisable to ensure it remains adequate as your financial responsibilities grow.
Mutual Funds
Your six mutual funds with a monthly subscription of Rs. 10,000 each and a present value of Rs. 23 lakhs are diversified across different categories.
This is a balanced approach, but it's essential to review the performance of each fund annually. Underperforming funds should be replaced with better-performing ones to maximize returns.
Sukanya Samridhi Yojna
Investing in Sukanya Samridhi Yojna for your two eldest children is a smart move. The Rs. 12,500 monthly contribution ensures a secure future for your daughters.
This scheme provides tax benefits and a high interest rate, making it an excellent long-term investment for your children's education and marriage.
Investment Plans
The "Promise for Growth Care" and "Goal Assure II" plans offer insurance and investment benefits. However, these plans often come with high costs and lower returns compared to mutual funds.
Consider surrendering these policies and redirecting the funds to better-performing mutual funds or other investment avenues. This approach can provide higher returns and better liquidity.
Cash in Hand and Sovereign Gold Bonds
Holding Rs. 25 lakhs in cash is a good safety net. Planning to invest Rs. 20 lakhs in Sovereign Gold Bonds is a sound decision. Gold is a hedge against inflation and adds diversification to your portfolio.
However, ensure that you maintain an emergency fund equivalent to at least six months of your expenses before making this investment.
Retirement Planning
You plan to retire at 56, which gives you 20 years to build your retirement corpus. Your current investments in provident funds, mutual funds, and insurance plans are a solid start.
Regularly reviewing and adjusting your portfolio can help you stay on track to achieve your retirement goals.
Increasing Mutual Fund Contributions
Consider increasing your mutual fund contributions as your salary grows. This will help you build a more substantial corpus over time.
Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) are an excellent way to invest in mutual funds, providing the benefits of rupee cost averaging and compounding.
Diversifying Investments
While your current investments are well-diversified, consider adding more asset classes to your portfolio. Equity-linked savings schemes (ELSS), debt funds, and balanced advantage funds can provide better risk-adjusted returns.
Tax Planning
Utilize tax-saving instruments like ELSS, Public Provident Fund (PPF), and National Pension System (NPS) to maximize your tax benefits.
These investments not only provide tax deductions under Section 80C but also offer good returns and long-term benefits.
Children's Education and Marriage
Planning for your children's higher education and marriage requires substantial funds. The Sukanya Samridhi Yojna and your mutual fund investments are excellent steps towards this goal.
Education Planning
Estimate the future costs of education considering inflation. Invest in a mix of equity and debt instruments to build a corpus that can meet these expenses.
Marriage Planning
For your children’s marriage, consider long-term investments that provide safety and growth. Fixed deposits, recurring deposits, and balanced funds can be good options.
Reviewing and Rebalancing
Regularly reviewing and rebalancing your portfolio is crucial to ensure it aligns with your goals. Market conditions, financial responsibilities, and life stages change over time.
Annual Review
Conduct an annual review of your investments. Evaluate the performance of your mutual funds, insurance policies, and other investments.
Rebalance your portfolio to maintain the desired asset allocation and risk level.
Financial Advisor Consultation
Engage with a certified financial planner for professional advice. They can provide personalized recommendations and help you navigate complex financial decisions.
I understand the responsibilities of planning for your children's future while securing your retirement. Your commitment to financial planning is admirable.
Balancing short-term needs with long-term goals can be challenging, but your disciplined approach will yield positive results.
Final Insights
You've laid a strong foundation for your financial future. By making a few strategic adjustments and regularly reviewing your portfolio, you can ensure that your investments align with your goals.
Stay committed to your financial plan, and you will achieve your objectives of securing your children's future and enjoying a comfortable retirement.
Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in