Hi , My age 47 yrs. started SIP in 2010 after watching CNBC TV started with 3000 in 3 fund and increased to 63000 in 16 fund for me and my wife. Accumulated 1 CR. till now. For my son education I Need 25 lac every year for 5 years from next year....

Hi , My age 47 yrs. started SIP in 2010 after watching CNBC TV started with 3000 in 3 fund and increased to 63000 in 16 fund for me and my wife. Accumulated 1 CR. till now. For my son education I Need 25 lac every year for 5 years from next year. I kept 5 lac emergency fund. PPF for family is 1.1 CR. No Fixed deposit. I have adequate Term and health Insurance. Equity 10 lac. Should I withdraw money from MF and put in FD or wait till next year considering volatility in market ?

Ans: Evaluating Options for Funding Son's Education
Congratulations on achieving a significant milestone with your mutual fund investments! Let's assess the best approach for funding your son's education while considering the current market volatility.

Current Financial Position
Investment Success
Accumulating ?1 crore through SIPs demonstrates your disciplined approach and ability to build wealth over time.

Emergency Fund
Maintaining a ?5 lakh emergency fund ensures financial security and provides a safety net during unexpected situations.

PPF Investment
Your substantial PPF investment of ?1.1 crore indicates a long-term savings strategy for future needs.

Funding Son's Education
Financial Requirement
Requiring ?25 lakh annually for your son's education for 5 years presents a significant financial commitment.

Withdrawal Consideration
Evaluate the pros and cons of withdrawing from mutual funds versus maintaining investments given the current market volatility.

Assessment of Options
Pros of Withdrawing from MFs
Immediate access to funds for your son's education without relying on loans or other sources.
Certainty of having the required amount available when needed.
Cons of Withdrawing from MFs
Potential loss of future returns if the market recovers and investments perform well.
Disruption to long-term investment strategy and financial goals.
Considering Market Volatility
Short-Term Impact
Market volatility may affect the value of your mutual fund investments in the short term.

Long-Term Perspective
However, taking a long-term view, historical data suggests that markets tend to recover over time, and staying invested can potentially yield higher returns.

Decision Making
Risk Appetite
Consider your risk tolerance and comfort level with market fluctuations when making the decision to withdraw funds from mutual funds.

Time Horizon
With your son's education starting next year, prioritize liquidity and stability of funds needed for immediate expenses.

Conclusion
While the decision ultimately depends on your individual financial circumstances and risk tolerance, withdrawing funds from mutual funds to finance your son's education may be a prudent choice considering the short time horizon and the certainty of meeting the financial requirement.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

Ans: At 61, with a pension-backed lifestyle and a strong mutual fund portfolio, you and your wife are in a better financial condition than many retirees. You have been investing smartly and consistently. This shows your discipline and patience. Let us now take a detailed look at your situation and provide a 360-degree strategy to help you make informed decisions on whether to continue with SIPs or shift to fixed deposits.

Overview of Your Current Financial Position

Let us first look at your numbers clearly:

You are 61 and retired. You get Rs. 44,000 as monthly pension.

You invest this pension into SIPs in mutual funds.

You have Rs. 34 lakh in fixed deposits. You get Rs. 25,000 monthly from it.

You contribute Rs. 25,000 to the monthly household cost of Rs. 50,000.

Your wife is also retired and receives about the same pension.

She has Rs. 52 lakh in fixed deposit and Rs. 30 lakh invested in mutual funds.

You have invested Rs. 30 lakh in mutual funds which have grown to Rs. 52 lakh.

Your wife is investing Rs. 25 lakh through SIPs now.

You own your flat and have one married son living in another city.

This is a financially balanced situation. Now let us assess each part to offer deeper insights.

1. Monthly Cash Flow – Sustainable and Comfortable

Together, you and your wife receive around Rs. 88,000 per month as pension.

You also get Rs. 25,000 monthly as FD interest.

This makes your total monthly income around Rs. 1.13 lakh.

Your household expense is only Rs. 50,000. That leaves a surplus of over Rs. 60,000.

You are not dependent on your mutual fund corpus for monthly expenses. This is a very strong position for any retiree.

2. Fixed Deposit Income – Reliable but Low Growth

Your total FD value (you + wife) is Rs. 86 lakh.

You both get monthly income from it.

This is good for safety and liquidity.

But FD interest is fully taxable and may fall in future.

FD returns rarely beat inflation over long term.

You can keep some FD for stability, but not everything.

FD should be used only for emergency buffer and short-term goals.

3. Mutual Fund Corpus – Impressive Growth and Wealth Creator

Your mutual fund investment of Rs. 30 lakh has grown to Rs. 52 lakh.

That is a strong capital appreciation.

Your wife has Rs. 30 lakh in mutual funds.

Together, your mutual fund corpus is Rs. 82 lakh.

This shows you have trusted mutual funds and stayed invested.

This decision has paid off well, and you should continue.

4. Ongoing SIPs – Excellent Habit, Keep It Going

You invest your entire pension in SIPs.

Your wife is investing Rs. 25 lakh through SIPs.

These SIPs are creating long-term wealth.

Mutual fund SIPs are flexible, tax efficient and help in rupee cost averaging.

You should continue the SIPs without stopping them.

These SIPs will give you more financial freedom later.

5. Should You Shift to FD from SIP? No, Here’s Why

SIPs are giving higher returns than FDs over 5–10 years.

FD returns are taxable fully and get lower in real value due to inflation.

SIPs in equity mutual funds are taxed efficiently.

LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh is taxed at only 12.5%.

STCG is taxed at 20%.

SIPs offer better inflation protection and long-term growth.

Since your risk appetite is good, and you do not depend on MF money for expenses, you can take market ups and downs calmly.

Stopping SIPs now will reduce future wealth.

Stay invested. Do not stop or pause the SIPs.

6. Use Mutual Funds for Future Monthly Income

After 65 or 70, you can start Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWP).

This will create monthly income from mutual fund corpus.

SIP grows wealth. SWP gives regular income later.

This will help reduce FD dependence later.

Use SWP only after your capital grows more.

For now, keep investing. Later, enjoy the income.

7. Asset Allocation – Review Regularly, Not Reactively

You have almost Rs. 1.68 crore between you both.

About 48% is in mutual funds. Around 52% is in fixed deposits.

This is a balanced allocation for your stage.

But over the next few years, gradually increase mutual fund share to 60%.

Keep 30% in fixed deposit.

Remaining 10% can be in liquid or ultra-short funds for short-term needs.

Do not over-allocate to FDs even in retirement.

8. Emergency Fund – Always Keep a Separate Pool

Keep Rs. 4–6 lakh each in a separate emergency fund.

Use liquid funds or short-term FDs for this.

Do not disturb long-term mutual funds for sudden needs.

This keeps your investments stable.

Safety pool is essential for peace of mind.

9. No Need for Real Estate or Gold

You already own a flat.

You do not need to invest more in real estate.

Real estate is illiquid, costly, and hard to manage.

Also, do not over-invest in gold.

Keep only small amount for personal use.

Keep your capital in growth and income-generating assets.

10. Avoid Index Funds and Direct Funds

Do not invest in index funds now.

Index funds invest in all stocks, good and bad.

They give no active selection or risk management.

In falling markets, they fall as much as the index.

Actively managed funds are better in volatile times.

Fund managers help select good stocks, avoid poor ones.

Also avoid direct mutual funds:

Direct funds have no advisor support.

No one guides you on when to redeem or switch.

Emotionally hard to manage during market corrections.

Regular plans through a Mutual Fund Distributor with CFP give full support.

Keep investing through regular plans only.

11. Estate Planning – Act Now, Not Later

You have significant wealth. Now is the right time for estate planning.

Write a Will each.

Include details of mutual fund holdings, FDs, and your flat.

Mention who gets what.

Register the Will to avoid legal trouble later.

Also, ensure nominee names are added in all financial assets.

Nominee is not the legal heir. Only Will decides distribution.

Plan this early. It will protect your family from confusion later.

12. Tax Planning – Keep Things Clean and Simple

Keep a track of all capital gains in mutual funds.

Do not redeem unless needed, or for rebalancing.

Redeem wisely to avoid higher tax.

Use joint names in FDs and mutual funds for convenience.

Keep all investments linked to PAN and updated KYC.

Keep your documentation clear and updated.

13. Retirement Security – You Are Already There

Your expenses are less than income.

Your investments are growing well.

You do not need to depend on your son financially.

You have enough funds for future.

But keep tracking expenses. Inflation can rise slowly over years.

14. Health Insurance – Important to Recheck

Please make sure you and your wife have a good health insurance cover.

Minimum cover should be Rs. 10–15 lakh.

Use a super top-up plan if needed.

Keep health policy active till the end of life.

Medical costs can rise suddenly.

15. Role of Certified Financial Planner – Don’t Skip It

You both are managing well.

But engaging a Certified Financial Planner can help optimise further.

A CFP helps with:

Goal mapping

Asset rebalancing

Tax-efficient withdrawals

Portfolio review

Succession planning

CFP offers guidance that is personal, not generic.

They help avoid emotional or wrong decisions in future.

Finally

You are in a very strong financial position today. Your lifestyle is secure. Your investments are growing. Your habits are disciplined. This is a clear example of smart retirement planning.

There is no need to move to FD from SIP. You can continue SIPs as long as you are financially comfortable and mentally relaxed. SIPs are building your financial legacy and keeping you ahead of inflation.

What you need now is:

Continue SIPs in regular mutual funds.

Slowly shift from growth to income-oriented strategies (like SWP) after a few years.

Rebalance asset allocation every 1–2 years.

Keep insurance updated.

Complete estate planning soon.

Your journey so far has been consistent and thoughtful. Keep going.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment