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Vivek Lala  |301 Answers  |Ask -

Tax, MF Expert - Answered on Jun 20, 2024

Vivek Lala has been working as a tax planner since 2018. His expertise lies in making personalised tax budgets and tax forecasts for individuals. As a tax advisor, he takes pride in simplifying tax complications for his clients using simple, easy-to-understand language.
Lala cleared his chartered accountancy exam in 2018 and completed his articleship with Chaturvedi and Shah. ... more
Girish Question by Girish on Jun 18, 2024Hindi
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Can you please advise SIP in mutual fund. i can take moderate risk. i want to invest 2000 Rs every month and increase it by 500 every year for next 15 years for my retirement.

Ans: Hello, I am glad you want to start investing in mutual funds
In order to decide the SIP amount, you first have to decide your retirement corpus. Based on that you should back calculate the SIP amount
If the SIP amount is below 10K , you can select any of the 2 funds from mid cap , small cap and multi cap.
Asked on - Jun 20, 2024 | Not Answered yet
Corpus i can say 1 cr. but i have think of SIP also which is practically possible based on my earnings. Can you please let us know, based on my SIP plan for next 15 years, what would be corpus amount will be and which are those 2 funds
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  |7466 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 26, 2024

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Dear Sir, I am 40 years old and i want to invest Rs.10,000/- per month through SIP in Mutual Funds for the period of 10 Years. Please suggest in which fund i have to invest.
Ans: Investing in mutual funds through Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) is a wise decision. At 40, you have chosen the perfect time to plan for your financial future. Investing Rs. 10,000 per month for the next 10 years can build substantial wealth. Let's explore the best mutual fund options to meet your goals.

Understanding SIPs and Their Benefits
SIP allows you to invest a fixed amount regularly in mutual funds. It offers several benefits:

Disciplined Investment: SIP ensures regular savings, promoting financial discipline.
Rupee Cost Averaging: You buy more units when prices are low and fewer units when prices are high, averaging out the cost.
Compounding Effect: Earnings from your investments generate their own earnings, significantly growing your wealth over time.
Assessing Your Investment Goals
Your investment strategy should align with your goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. At 40, you might have goals like children's education, retirement, or buying a house. With a 10-year horizon, a balanced approach considering both growth and stability is ideal.

Types of Mutual Funds to Consider
1. Equity Mutual Funds

Equity mutual funds invest primarily in stocks. They offer higher returns but come with higher risks. Given your 10-year horizon, equity funds can provide substantial growth.

Large-Cap Funds: Invest in large, established companies. They are less volatile and provide stable returns.

Mid-Cap and Small-Cap Funds: Invest in medium and small companies. They are more volatile but can offer higher returns.

Multi-Cap Funds: Invest across companies of all sizes, providing a balanced risk-reward profile.

2. Balanced or Hybrid Funds

Balanced funds invest in both equities and debt instruments. They offer a mix of growth and stability. These funds are suitable if you want moderate risk and stable returns.

3. Debt Mutual Funds

Debt funds invest in fixed-income securities like bonds and treasury bills. They are less risky and offer stable returns. These funds are suitable if you prefer lower risk.

4. Tax-Saving Funds (ELSS)

Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS) offer tax benefits under Section 80C. They have a lock-in period of three years and primarily invest in equities. These funds are ideal if you want to save on taxes and earn good returns.

Advantages of Actively Managed Funds Over Index Funds
Actively managed funds have professional fund managers making investment decisions. They aim to outperform the market. In contrast, index funds passively track a market index. While index funds have lower fees, actively managed funds can potentially offer higher returns through expert management.

Benefits of Regular Funds vs Direct Funds
Regular Funds

Expert Guidance: Investing through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) ensures professional guidance.

Better Decisions: CFPs can help you choose funds that align with your goals and risk profile.

Convenience: CFPs handle all paperwork and administrative tasks, making the process smoother.

Direct Funds

Lower Costs: Direct funds have lower expense ratios as they don’t involve intermediaries.

Self-Management: Requires you to manage and track your investments.

Given your busy schedule and the complexities of financial markets, regular funds through a CFP provide a more comprehensive approach.

Creating a Balanced Portfolio
Diversification is key to managing risk. A well-balanced portfolio might include:

60% Equity Funds: Split between large-cap, mid-cap, and multi-cap funds.

30% Balanced Funds: To ensure stability and moderate returns.

10% Debt Funds: For low-risk, stable returns.

This diversified approach balances growth potential with risk management.

Monitoring and Adjusting Your Portfolio
Regularly review your portfolio with your CFP. The market and your financial goals might change. Adjust your investments accordingly to stay on track.


Your decision to invest systematically shows foresight and financial acumen. At 40, you're taking control of your financial future, which is commendable. Investing Rs. 10,000 monthly through SIPs is a strategic move that will yield significant benefits over time.

Conclusion
Investing in mutual funds through SIPs is a smart way to build wealth. With a balanced mix of equity, balanced, and debt funds, you can achieve your financial goals. Working with a Certified Financial Planner ensures professional guidance, helping you make informed decisions. Stay disciplined, monitor your portfolio, and adjust as needed to ensure financial success.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

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Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7466 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 08, 2025

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Hello sir, I am a 42 year old, have a dependend wife and 10 yr old daughter (5 STD). I have a monthly income of 2.25 lakh in hand. Monthly expenses 70k. I have no debts and I am staying in my own flat. I invested 1 lakhs in equity stocks, 16 lakhs in MF lumpsum, 13 lakh in FD and 10 lakh in NSC. Till date my PF is 27 lacs. I pay 40,000 SIP monthly starting from 2023, pay PPF 1.5 lacs p.a.from 2022, pay NPS 1.3 lacs p.a from 2022 and pay SSY 1.5 lacs p.a.from 2020 and PPF for wife 1 lacs p.a from 2022 and PPF for daughter 50k p.a.from 2023. Family medical insurance of 10 lacs.. and myself term insurance of 50 lakhs and LIC of 10 lakhs. Also I purchased LIC Child Money back of 10 lacs and SBI smart chap 5 lacs for my daughter education. I want to plan my retirement at the age of 55. How should i plan my retirement 3 cr corpus??
Ans: Your financial situation is stable, with multiple investments and no liabilities.

Income: Rs. 2.25 lakh per month offers strong savings potential after expenses.

Expenses: Rs. 70,000 per month leaves ample room for investments.

Existing Investments: Equity stocks (Rs. 1 lakh), mutual funds (Rs. 16 lakh), FD (Rs. 13 lakh), NSC (Rs. 10 lakh), and PF (Rs. 27 lakh) form a diversified base.

Ongoing Commitments: SIP of Rs. 40,000, PPF contributions, and NPS add regular growth.

Insurance Coverage: Adequate health insurance (Rs. 10 lakh) and term insurance (Rs. 50 lakh).

Defining Your Retirement Goal
You aim for a Rs. 3 crore corpus by age 55. Consider inflation and lifestyle needs.

Inflation Impact: Rs. 3 crore today might not suffice in 13 years due to inflation.

Monthly Expenses: Rs. 70,000 now could double to Rs. 1.4 lakh due to 6% inflation.

Longevity Planning: Plan for a 30-year post-retirement period to ensure financial security.

Evaluating Current Investments
Equity Stocks: Rs. 1 lakh is a small allocation. Consider diversifying into mutual funds.

Mutual Funds: Rs. 16 lakh in lump sum and Rs. 40,000 SIP build growth over time.

Fixed Deposits: Rs. 13 lakh ensures safety but offers low returns.

National Savings Certificate (NSC): Rs. 10 lakh provides stability but lacks flexibility.

Provident Fund: Rs. 27 lakh builds wealth steadily, given your regular contributions.

PPF and NPS: Long-term instruments aligned with retirement goals.

SSY for Daughter: Rs. 1.5 lakh annually ensures her education expenses are planned.

Insurance Policies: LIC and child plans provide minimal returns; consider alternatives.

Key Recommendations for Retirement Planning
Optimising Investments
Increase SIP Amount: Gradually raise your SIP to benefit from compounding and market growth.

Focus on Equity Funds: Actively managed funds can generate higher returns compared to index funds.

Reduce FD Dependence: Move a portion of FDs into balanced mutual funds for better returns.

Exit Traditional Plans: Consider surrendering LIC and SBI child plans to reinvest in high-growth mutual funds.

Build Emergency Fund: Maintain 6–12 months' expenses in liquid funds or savings accounts.

Enhancing Retirement Corpus
Leverage NPS: Increase contributions to benefit from tax savings and market-linked returns.

Continue PPF Contributions: This offers tax benefits and secure, inflation-beating returns.

Diversify Equity Allocation: Explore mid- and small-cap funds for higher growth potential.

Tax Efficiency: Plan withdrawals carefully to minimise capital gains taxes.

Securing Post-Retirement Income
Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWP): Use SWPs for a steady, tax-efficient post-retirement income.

Debt Funds: Consider debt funds for predictable, stable returns during retirement.

Hybrid Mutual Funds: These balance growth and stability, suitable for retirement years.

Rebalance Regularly: Adjust equity and debt allocations annually as retirement nears.

Planning for Daughter’s Education
SSY Continuation: Ensure contributions continue till maturity for her education needs.

Mutual Funds for Education: Invest in diversified mutual funds for additional education corpus.

Avoid Traditional Plans: LIC and child policies may underperform compared to mutual funds.

Protecting Against Risks
Health Insurance: Increase family health coverage to at least Rs. 20 lakh to cover rising medical costs.

Term Insurance: Ensure term insurance coverage matches your family’s financial needs.

Inflation-Proofing: Allocate part of the retirement corpus to equity for inflation-adjusted growth.

Emergency Fund: Keep funds easily accessible for unexpected expenses.

Final Insights
Your financial foundation is strong, and your retirement goal is achievable with better planning. Focus on optimising investments, ensuring inflation-adjusted returns, and securing your family’s future. Regular reviews with a certified financial planner will ensure alignment with your goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

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Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7466 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 08, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 07, 2025Hindi
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Good Afternoon. Family of 2, Age 57 and 56 Years staying in City, Own House, No Loan, No other specific liabilities. Our current value of MF is around 7.5 - 8 Crs (Small, Mid and Multi Assets) and say Rs. 3.5 Cr in FD and property. Need around Rs. 70-75 K per month now. Is this good enough to retire with same life style ? Thanks.
Ans: A corpus of Rs. 11–11.5 crore, including mutual funds and fixed deposits, is substantial. Evaluating its sufficiency for retirement requires considering inflation, life expectancy, and investment returns.

Monthly Requirement: Rs. 70,000–75,000 per month for household expenses equates to Rs. 9–9.5 lakh annually.

Inflation Adjustment: Considering inflation of 6–7%, expenses will double in 12 years.

Life Expectancy: Assume a planning horizon of 30–35 years to cover longevity risks.

Investment Allocation and Cash Flow
Fixed Deposits: Rs. 3.5 crore in FDs ensures safety and liquidity but offers low returns.

Mutual Funds: Rs. 7.5–8 crore in small, mid, and multi-asset funds offers growth potential.

Property: Owning a house eliminates rent expenses, reducing cash outflows.

Emergency Reserve: Maintain six months' expenses in liquid funds or savings accounts.

Inflation-Proofing Your Lifestyle
Dynamic Withdrawals: Increase withdrawals yearly in line with inflation to maintain your lifestyle.

Equity Allocation: Retain a portion of your portfolio in equity for long-term growth.

Debt Allocation: Use debt investments for stable returns and capital protection.

Hybrid Funds: Consider hybrid mutual funds to balance risk and reward.

Generating Regular Income
Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP): Use SWPs in mutual funds for consistent, tax-efficient cash flow.

Debt Fund Withdrawals: Use debt mutual funds for short-term needs due to lower tax rates.

Staggered Fixed Deposits: Ladder FDs to balance liquidity and optimise returns.

Tax Optimisation Strategies
Capital Gains Taxation: Plan withdrawals to minimise taxes on mutual fund gains.

Debt Fund Taxation: Withdraw debt mutual funds cautiously to stay in a lower tax bracket.

Senior Citizen Benefits: Use senior citizen savings schemes for additional tax savings.

Interest Income: Monitor interest from FDs to avoid higher tax liabilities.

Safeguarding Against Risks
Healthcare Expenses: Ensure health insurance of at least Rs. 20–25 lakh per person.

Market Volatility: Avoid excessive allocation to small- and mid-cap funds in retirement.

Longevity Risk: Plan for a 35-year horizon to ensure corpus longevity.

Emergency Fund: Keep a separate fund to avoid withdrawing investments during downturns.

Evaluating Lifestyle Needs
Travel and Leisure: Allocate a portion for discretionary expenses like travel or hobbies.

Medical Emergencies: Account for increasing healthcare costs with a health corpus.

Gifting and Support: Set aside funds for family support or charity, if required.

Rebalancing Your Portfolio
Review Annually: Rebalance your portfolio to align with changing needs and market conditions.

Reduce Equity Gradually: Decrease equity exposure as you age to reduce risk.

Increase Debt Allocation: Shift towards safer assets for stable cash flow.

Diversify Investments: Spread investments across asset classes to mitigate risks.

Final Insights
Your corpus appears sufficient for retirement, given your modest monthly requirements. Proper planning, inflation adjustment, and portfolio rebalancing are crucial to ensure lifelong financial stability. Regular consultations with a certified financial planner will help optimise your investments and address unforeseen challenges.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

...Read more

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Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7466 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 08, 2025

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Hi Sir, I have a doubt on the following Index funds. "UTI Nifty 50 Index Fund Direct-Growth" & "ICICI Prudential Nifty 50 Index Direct Plan-Growth". These 2 are just a sample of similar other funds. Both of these funds are 12 years old both of them are index funds but how and why their growth has a big gap. the current NAV of UTI is around 160 but the current nav of ICICI fund is 240. Please explain. And I'm planning start invest initially on "Navi Nifty Next 50 Index Fund - Direct Plan" just because it is an Index fund, with lowest expense ration of 0.06% and it has 2000+Crores of AUM I chose this. please suggest
Ans: The NAV (Net Asset Value) difference between index funds arises due to:

Launch Timing: Funds launched at different times may have different starting NAVs.

Expense Ratio: A higher expense ratio reduces returns over time, affecting NAV growth.

Tracking Error: The fund’s ability to mimic the index may vary, creating NAV differences.

Dividend Payouts: Funds paying dividends see a reduction in NAV, impacting growth comparison.

Challenges of Index Funds
No Outperformance: Index funds replicate the index and do not aim to outperform it.

Market-Linked Risk: These funds decline in line with the index during market corrections.

Limited Scope for Customisation: Index funds follow a set strategy with no room for adjustments.

Lower Returns in Emerging Markets: Actively managed funds may perform better in dynamic markets like India.

Benefits of Actively Managed Funds
Potential for Higher Returns: Skilled fund managers can outperform the index.

Risk Management: Actively managed funds can adjust strategies during volatile periods.

Flexibility: Fund managers can identify opportunities and avoid underperforming sectors.

Value Addition: Active funds add value through research and selection of quality stocks.

Disadvantages of Direct Plans
Lack of Guidance: Investing directly means no access to expert advice or strategy.

Time-Consuming: Self-managing your portfolio requires significant research and monitoring.

Missed Opportunities: Lack of guidance may result in suboptimal fund selection.

Behavioural Biases: Emotional decisions may negatively impact returns without a financial planner.

Benefits of Regular Plans through a Certified Financial Planner
Personalised Advice: A financial planner customises recommendations based on your goals.

Portfolio Review: Regular plans come with portfolio reviews and rebalancing support.

Expertise and Insights: A certified financial planner has access to market insights and research.

Tax Optimisation: Proper planning ensures tax-efficient investments and withdrawals.

Evaluating Your Choice of Index Fund
While choosing index funds with low expense ratios and high AUM is logical:

Focus on Goals: Ensure the fund aligns with your long-term objectives.

Consider Tracking Error: A fund with a low tracking error is more efficient.

Reassess for Active Alternatives: Actively managed funds could provide better returns in certain categories.

Liquidity of AUM: High AUM ensures better liquidity but does not guarantee superior returns.

Final Insights
Choosing index funds or direct plans should involve understanding their limitations. Actively managed funds and regular plans with certified financial planners often provide better outcomes. Ensure every investment decision aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

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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