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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |6625 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 29, 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 26, 2024Hindi
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My age is 43 and I have two children aged 10 and just born...I own a house and a small property...I have 2 crores spread across stocks, mutual fund, fds, ulips and pf...can I retire now and manage the rest of my life with a decent lifestyle?

Ans: Retiring at 43 with two children and a desire for a decent lifestyle requires careful planning. You have Rs 2 crores spread across various investments. Let’s evaluate if you can retire now and maintain your desired lifestyle.

Assessing Your Current Financial Situation
You have a well-diversified portfolio, which is commendable. Your assets include:

Stocks and Mutual Funds: Potential for high returns but come with market risks.

Fixed Deposits (FDs): Provide stability and guaranteed returns, though lower than other options.

Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs): Offer a mix of insurance and investment, but may have higher costs.

Provident Fund (PF): Secure and tax-efficient long-term savings.

Owning a house and a small property adds to your stability. However, these are less liquid assets and should not be the sole reliance for cash flow.

Calculating Retirement Expenses
To determine if you can retire, estimate your future expenses. Consider the following factors:

Monthly Living Expenses
Estimate your current monthly expenses and adjust for inflation. Include costs for housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and leisure activities.

Children’s Education
Education costs will be significant, especially with one child just born. Plan for school fees, extracurricular activities, and higher education costs.

Healthcare Costs
Healthcare expenses tend to rise with age. Ensure you have adequate health insurance coverage for your family.

Emergency Fund
Maintain an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses. This fund should be liquid and easily accessible.

Generating Retirement Income
Your Rs 2 crores must be allocated wisely to generate a steady income. Here’s how you can structure your portfolio:

Diversified Mutual Funds
Mutual funds can offer growth potential. Opt for actively managed funds through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). They provide professional management and timely rebalancing.

Fixed Deposits and Bonds
Fixed deposits and bonds offer stability and guaranteed returns. Allocate a portion of your funds here to ensure a steady income stream.

Provident Fund
Your PF is a secure long-term investment. Ensure it is well-managed and keep track of interest accruals.

Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWPs)
Use SWPs from mutual funds to generate a regular income. This allows for a steady cash flow while keeping your principal invested.

Insurance
Ensure you have adequate life and health insurance. This will protect your family in case of unforeseen events.

Managing Risks and Returns
Balancing risk and return is crucial for a sustainable retirement. Here are some strategies:

Regular Review
Regularly review your portfolio and adjust based on market conditions and personal needs. A CFP can assist in maintaining the right balance.

Diversification
Diversify your investments across various asset classes. This spreads risk and increases the potential for steady returns.

Inflation Protection
Invest in instruments that offer inflation-beating returns. Equities and certain mutual funds can help counteract inflation.

Evaluating Current Lifestyle and Future Goals
Consider your current lifestyle and future goals. Will you need to downsize your home, or will you plan to travel more? These factors affect your financial needs.

Tax Planning
Efficient tax planning can save money and enhance your retirement corpus. Use tax-saving instruments and strategies advised by a CFP.

Potential Challenges
Market Volatility
Market fluctuations can impact your portfolio. Diversification and regular reviews help mitigate this risk.

Longevity Risk
Outliving your retirement funds is a concern. Plan for a longer retirement horizon to ensure financial security.

Monitoring and Adjusting Your Plan
Regularly monitor your financial plan. Adjust based on changing needs, market conditions, and life events. This ensures your plan remains effective.

Conclusion
Retiring at 43 with Rs 2 crores and two children is ambitious but achievable with careful planning. Diversify your investments, plan for inflation, and ensure adequate insurance coverage. Regularly review and adjust your plan with the help of a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). This approach ensures a secure and comfortable retirement.

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  |6625 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 24, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - May 20, 2024Hindi
Money
Hi I am 44yrs old with wife and a 13yr old kid.My networth is around 7.5cr.This includes 2 loan free houses,1 is approx 1.3cr which is giving me a rental income of 25k per month and other is 2cr in which we stay.I have approx 3.5cr investments in MF and Stocks.Around 10L in PPF.Around 60L in high risk lending which gives me 1lac p.m.Out of the MF investments i have put 1cr in SWP for a monthly 30k rest in equity.I have covered my family with health insurance aswell. Can I retire?
Ans: Assessing Your Retirement Readiness
Firstly, congratulations on building a strong financial foundation. Your net worth of ?7.5 crores and diversified investments show careful planning and diligence. Let’s evaluate if you can retire comfortably and maintain your lifestyle.

Current Financial Position
Real Estate
You own two loan-free houses valued at ?1.3 crores and ?2 crores. The rental income from one house is ?25,000 per month. This provides a steady and reliable income stream. The other house, where you reside, adds to your asset base but does not generate income.

Mutual Funds and Stocks
Your investments in mutual funds and stocks total approximately ?3.5 crores. This significant investment can provide both growth and income. Additionally, ?1 crore is in a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) generating ?30,000 per month.

PPF and High-Risk Lending
You have ?10 lakhs in PPF, a safe and tax-efficient investment. Additionally, you earn ?1 lakh per month from ?60 lakhs in high-risk lending. This income contributes substantially to your monthly cash flow.

Health Insurance
You have covered your family with health insurance, ensuring financial protection against medical emergencies.

Monthly Income Analysis
Your current monthly income includes:

?25,000 from rental income
?30,000 from SWP
?1 lakh from high-risk lending
This totals ?1.55 lakhs per month.

Estimating Monthly Expenses
To determine if you can retire, compare your monthly income to your expenses. Assume your monthly expenses, including living costs, education, and lifestyle, are around ?1.5 lakhs.

Income vs. Expenses
Your current passive income matches your estimated expenses, suggesting you can maintain your lifestyle without additional income. However, consider future expenses, inflation, and potential risks.

Future Financial Needs
Children’s Education
Your 13-year-old child will need funds for higher education. Set aside a portion of your investments specifically for this goal. Consider the rising costs of education and plan accordingly.

Inflation Adjustment
Inflation reduces the purchasing power of money over time. Ensure your investments grow faster than inflation. Diversify into growth-oriented assets like equity mutual funds.

Healthcare Costs
Healthcare costs increase with age. Ensure your health insurance covers potential future medical expenses. Consider adding a super top-up plan for additional coverage.

Optimising Your Investment Portfolio
Diversify Mutual Funds
Your current investments in mutual funds should be reviewed and optimised. Actively managed funds can potentially provide better returns than index funds. Professional fund managers can navigate market conditions and seek higher returns.

Reduce High-Risk Lending Exposure
High-risk lending provides substantial income but carries significant risk. Gradually reduce your exposure and reinvest in more stable assets like mutual funds or bonds. This reduces risk while maintaining income.

Continue Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP)
Your SWP provides regular income. Ensure the remaining mutual fund investments are diversified and growth-oriented. Regularly review and rebalance your portfolio.

Professional Management
Benefits of Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
A CFP can provide professional guidance, helping you navigate market conditions and adjust your investments. They ensure your portfolio aligns with your retirement goals.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds
Direct funds have lower expense ratios but require self-management. Without professional guidance, you might miss crucial market insights. Investing through a CFP ensures professional management and strategic adjustments.

Emergency Fund
Maintain an emergency fund covering at least six months of expenses. This ensures you don’t need to liquidate investments during market downturns or emergencies.

Estate Planning
Plan your estate to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes. This includes writing a will and considering trusts for asset protection and efficient transfer to heirs.

Conclusion
Based on your current financial situation, you are on track to retire comfortably. Your diversified investments and steady income streams support your lifestyle. However, consider potential future expenses, inflation, and healthcare costs. Regularly review and adjust your portfolio with the help of a Certified Financial Planner to ensure long-term financial security.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |6625 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 13, 2024

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Money
Dear sir, I’m 32 years old earning 1.5 lakhs pm. I will have a sum of 1.2 cr including investments in mutual funds, ppf, stocks and crypto. I’m a bachelor. Can I retire comfortably? Regards.
Ans: Assessing Your Retirement Readiness
Retirement planning is a crucial step, especially when you have specific financial goals in mind. You are 32 years old, earning Rs. 1.5 lakh per month, and have accumulated Rs. 1.2 crore in investments. As a bachelor, your financial needs might be different compared to someone with dependents, but planning ahead is still essential.

Understanding Your Financial Position
Current Income: Rs. 1.5 lakh per month provides you with a solid base to save and invest.
Investment Portfolio: You have diversified investments across mutual funds, PPF, stocks, and crypto.
Age Factor: At 32, you have a significant time horizon before retirement, allowing your investments to grow.
Key Considerations for Retirement Planning
Lifestyle and Expenses
Your retirement comfort depends largely on your desired lifestyle and future expenses. If you plan to maintain your current lifestyle, estimate your monthly expenses, including inflation. For example, if your current monthly expense is Rs. 50,000, factor in annual inflation of around 6-7%.

Inflation Impact
Inflation erodes purchasing power over time. Even with a conservative estimate, the cost of living could double in 15-20 years. Ensuring that your investments grow at a rate higher than inflation is critical to maintaining your standard of living in retirement.

Evaluating Your Investment Portfolio
Mutual Funds
Mutual funds are an excellent way to build long-term wealth, especially through equity-oriented funds. Consider allocating more to diversified equity funds, which can offer higher returns over the long term.

Public Provident Fund (PPF)
PPF is a safe, long-term investment with tax benefits. However, the returns are relatively lower compared to equity. It's a good component for stability in your portfolio but shouldn't be the sole investment.

Stocks and Cryptocurrencies
Stocks can offer substantial returns, but they come with higher risks. Cryptocurrency is even more volatile and should be a small portion of your portfolio. These investments can contribute to significant growth, but they require careful management and periodic review.

Estimating Retirement Corpus
To retire comfortably, you need to calculate your retirement corpus, which should be sufficient to cover your expenses throughout your retirement years.

Target Corpus: A general rule is to aim for a corpus that is 20-25 times your annual expenses at retirement.
Monthly Investments: Based on your current savings and the time horizon, you might need to increase your monthly investments to achieve your retirement goal.
Strategic Investment Planning
Increase SIPs in Mutual Funds
Given your current income and savings, increasing your monthly SIPs (Systematic Investment Plans) in mutual funds is advisable. Consider a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, and multi-cap funds to balance risk and return.

Long-Term Equity Investment
Equity should form a significant part of your portfolio given your age and risk appetite. Diversify your equity investments across sectors and market capitalizations to reduce risk.

Debt and Safe Investments
Allocate a portion of your portfolio to safer instruments like PPF, FDs, or debt mutual funds to provide stability. This will act as a cushion during market downturns.

Considering Retirement Age and Goals
Retirement Age: Deciding your retirement age is crucial. If you plan to retire early, say at 50, you will need a larger corpus.
Post-Retirement Goals: Think about your post-retirement goals. Whether it’s traveling, pursuing hobbies, or starting a small business, these will influence your financial needs.
Health Insurance and Contingency Fund
Ensure you have adequate health insurance coverage and a contingency fund to cover unexpected expenses. This will protect your retirement corpus from being depleted by unforeseen circumstances.

Regular Review and Rebalancing
Review your portfolio regularly and rebalance it according to market conditions and your changing needs. Staying informed and making necessary adjustments will help in achieving your retirement goals.

Final Insights
Given your current financial situation and income, it’s possible to retire comfortably. However, it requires disciplined saving and strategic investing. Regularly monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

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Anu

Anu Krishna  |1201 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Oct 15, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Oct 07, 2024Hindi
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Relationship
Mam i am a 52 year ols women i have never had a secure relationship only who wanted to have s.Marriage in proposals too dint work for me. At late 40 age i met a guy it was all good till start 1 year but since 3 years we just fight my fault to as i have no family no friends and all i have to look after 2 aged parents and i am deep involved my life is just that. This relationship is good to talk on phone as all i do is talk my problems 24 by 7 365 days which i understands upsets him. But i see no effort too from him for meeting planning dates and if i do i pay for it all he never pays . I lost interest felt disappointed after going on saying he never tries to make plans talk future his family finance. I am not sure what i should do stay or live my life alone which i was always doing.
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
Start fresh and if you had a clean slate, what would you want to draw on it?
All your miseries or what you actually want from life?
When you meet someone new and you dump your set of issues on them, how exactly do you think they are going to be interested in taking you out on a date?
Your prospective life partner is not a dumping yard for your life's problems BUT a person that is going to marry you and support you and who you can trust. And will you start this relationship by actually talking only about your problems? Honestly, you need to ask yourself if you will be interested in a guy who keeps ranting about all things going wrong...
Establish a connection by being on a positive ground and showing the other person that you care and also are interested in knowing about them. This interest will let them lower their guard down and actually connect with you at an emotional level and then you can pursue this as a potential life partner association...somewhere down the line, they will be genuinely interested in being a part of your challenges and that's when you make them your strength to solve these challenges. Am I making sense to you?
Do you see how you have been sabotaging your own future? Dust yourself, become genuinely interested in people not to dump your problems on them but to make a genuine connection and watch how things change for you. Prioritize your life not your problems!

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

...Read more

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Anu Krishna  |1201 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Oct 15, 2024

Relationship
Hi, I am a 36yo guy. Married and have 2 beautiful kids. I am a naturally happy person in life and have achieved reasonable success through my hard work. From last 3 years i am in love with a married girl who works at an office near my workplace. We two believe that we are best suited for each other in every aspect i.e. mental, emotional and physical. We share a great chemistry that we never felt with our respective spouses. We decided that we both cant leave our spouses because of our kids. But very often she keeps on getting crazy and tortures and taunts me that i love my wife more and doesnt give value to her. She is mostly unhappy about this in her life and many times abuses me when she sees that i am a naturally happy and content person. I have even told her that if she wants we can take divorce from our spouses and move-in together. But she never accepts that also and keeps on making my life hard. But i do believe that we both love each other like crazy and my sexual life with her is just out of this world. I have a very high libido and she satisfies me like no other girl. My question is how can i make her sane and make her trust me that i am more inclined towards her?
Ans: Dear Avinash,
I am sure by now you realize that having parallel lives is not easy. Maybe you are at that stage where a decision must be made...
You owe at least that much to your respective spouses who have nothing to do this life of yours...

The lady in question wants the cake and wants to eat it too...obviously she needs to see that if she wants her marriage, then you are going to keep your marriage as well and with that all the insecurities that arise must also be accepted as this is something that the two of you got into willingly...did she not know that a relationship outside of marriage comes with its set of challenges like insecurities, doubts, fears, instability and more? I guess it's not about you making her sane and trust you BUT for the two fo you to come to some sort of a decision on where all this is leading?

Again, I say this...leading two lives in parallel ain't easy; especially on an emotional level!

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

...Read more

Anu

Anu Krishna  |1201 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Oct 15, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Oct 01, 2024
Relationship
Hi Anu, I have been reading since long the advices you give to others expecting that there can be an identical issue which i am suffering, i am 48yrs and my wife 42yrs married for 22yrs & having grown up children, over period of time my wife has become more dominating expecting me to listen and follow everything what she says, everything was going fine for until last six years when she was following me as a dutiful wife, since last 6-7yrs she is disinterested in sex also, i sit and speak with her trying to address all the issues, but things get back to ZERO within days, she has turned very short tempered and egoistic, shouting and using foul language in rage at times, we both are highly educated and give lectures at college with limited reasonable income, the problem is she compares her life to others and disturbs our life, ours is a marriage against parents so both the side relatives are little indifferent and we are not extroverts or that persons who are outgoing to change all that, we just lead our life within ourselves and try to help the relatives whenever they come to us. My question is that is it not cruel for a wife to deprive the husband of sex and develop unreasonable expectations comparing the lifestyles of others. when at peace my wife suggests that i can look outside for sex and she is ok with it but i don't believe in it and in her words, at times in rage she keeps asking for divorce uttering foul language, i keep reminding her that emotions, anger and rage shall only aggravate the issues we should know what we actually want and seek it speaking to each other, i feel that my wife doesn't know what she wants from herself or from me or from life, Anu, Is this all that pre-menopause frustrations which is building up or is it some mental issues which are surfacing due to negligence from me or our relatives? Please suggest? Thank you
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
Let's understand it in 3 ways..

1) Whether your wife is in pre-menopause or perimenopause or menopause stage can be determined only by a doctor. A lot of material floats on the internet convincing people of one over the other BUT it's important to get it validated by a doctor that will help your wife understand what is going on with her body and how it impacts her mind...

2) It is also possible that the current sex routine maybe boring to her and infusing it with some spice can get things going? So, think out of the box here...

3) Also, you might want to think if the emotional bond between the two of you has broken down; women respond to sex easier when they feel emotionally connected and safe with their man...

What will be useful in your situation is: to reconnect with her and aim to connect with her emotionally. This will help her in conveying to you what might be the problem and then it gets easier to solve it or take necessary steps...

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

...Read more

Milind

Milind Vadjikar  |418 Answers  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Oct 15, 2024

Milind

Milind Vadjikar  |418 Answers  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Oct 15, 2024

Milind

Milind Vadjikar  |418 Answers  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Oct 15, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Oct 15, 2024Hindi
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Money
Hi Milind I am 52 years old single woman, from small town and who has worked hard ro reach to level in corporate with good salary. I have a corpus of about 5 crores and small flat in tier 2 town. I dont enjoy yhis new job wirh reputed brand and at a senior level as i dont find ut engaging or doing justice to role. My parents are old and i worry for rhem ans want to spent rkmw with them. With this corpus can i take a call to leave job and get decent income of atleast 2-2.5 lac a month. I have been quite action oriented, but now my mind and body feel exhasuted and also fear rhat without a job i will become lazy. Also living with parents will be a joy, at the same time resteictive to eating or socializing. I am quite concious ,if i leave this well paying ,senior role job with a big renonwed corporate which many of my friends aspired for and whole lot of people congratulated me ,they will think i was not able to justify my role,hence left . I dont want that impression at last stage of career as whole life i have been seen as hard working ,passionate professional. Such rhoughts are taking toll on my mental health. Please advise what should be done
Ans: Hello;

With the corpus that you have (5 Cr) you may buy an immediate annuity from a life insurance company and can expect to receive monthly payout of 2.5 L (pre tax)from the very next month. 6% annuity rate considered, if you shop around and negotiate you may get a better rate.

You can opt for increasing annuity to account for inflation and return of purchase price to your nominee, after you.

Ensure good health insurance policy to cover yourself and your parents.

Think about some vocation which you would like to pursue passionately after retirement.

You are seeking retirement from regular 9 to 5 job not from pursuit of your passion/goals.

It could be in the role of an consultant, counselor or educator.

You should take the decision which you feel is appropriate for you irrespective of what people comment because they will comment in any case.

Learn to ignore such people.

Happy Retirement!!

...Read more

Milind

Milind Vadjikar  |418 Answers  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Oct 15, 2024

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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