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Nitin

Nitin Narkhede  | Answer  |Ask -

MF, PF Expert - Answered on Jul 02, 2025

Nitin Narkhede, founder of the Prosperity Lifestyle Hub, is a certified financial advisor with eight years of experience in helping clients design and implement comprehensive financial life plans.
As a mentor, Nitin has trained over 1,000 individuals, many of whom have seen remarkable financial transformations.
Nitin holds various certifications including the Association Of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority and accreditations from several insurance and mutual fund aggregators.
He is a mechanical engineer from the J T Mahajan College, Jalgaon, with 34 years of experience of working with MNCs like Skoda Auto India, Volkswagen India and ThyssenKrupp Electrical Steel India.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Jun 30, 2025Hindi
Money

Age 53 Bought a house at 1.7cr Term plan 1cr Health insurance for family of 3 Expected income in next 6 months sure 2cr after tax Plan a retirement plan at 65 Swp lumsum Market linked midcap And large cap Also some sip

Ans: Dear Friend,
At 53, you have a strong financial base with a ?1.7 crore house, ?1 crore term plan, family health insurance, and a confirmed ?2 crore post-tax income expected soon. To retire comfortably at 65, begin by setting aside ?10–15 lakhs as an emergency fund and maintain adequate health cover. Invest ?1.5–1.6 crore in a diversified mix: 30% in midcap funds, 30% in large-cap funds, 20% in flexi-cap or dynamic funds, and 20% in high-quality debt funds. Continue monthly SIPs of ?30,000–?50,000 to build long-term wealth. By retirement, aim for a corpus of ?4–5 crore. You can then initiate a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) of ?1–1.25 lakh per month to meet living expenses, while the remaining corpus continues to grow. Regularly review and rebalance your portfolio and increase SIPs over time. This disciplined approach can help ensure a stress-free and financially independent retirement.

Regards, Nitin Narkhede -Founder, Prosperity Lifestyle Hub,
Free webinar https://bit.ly/PLH-Webinar
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  |10876 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 12, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 12, 2025Hindi
Money
I am 34 year old earning 1.34L per month having home loan of 15 L with 6 year tenor and car loan of 1 L with a tenor of 9 months. I want to retire at 50 with a corpus of 4 cr. Total savings MF 5L Equity 3.5L FD 3L Nps 2L Pf 7L LIC endowment policy 1.8L
Ans: You already have a strong start with multiple assets. The next steps will ensure disciplined growth and risk control.

» Current Financial Strength

– Your income level allows strong savings potential every month.
– You already have diversified investments across MF, equity, FD, NPS, PF, and LIC.
– Low car loan balance means extra cash flow will soon be available for investing.
– Existing home loan EMI is manageable with your current income.

» Debt Management Approach

– Clear the car loan first as it has a short tenor.
– After the car loan closure, redirect the EMI amount into monthly investments.
– Continue the home loan repayment as per schedule.
– Prepayment is only needed if interest rates rise sharply or investment returns fall.
– Maintain regular EMI payment to protect your credit score.

» LIC Endowment Policy Assessment

– LIC endowment policies give low returns compared to other growth assets.
– You can surrender the policy if surrender value is reasonable.
– Reinvest the proceeds into growth-oriented mutual funds through a CFP-guided MFD.
– Avoid mixing insurance with investment going forward.

» Insurance Protection

– Maintain adequate term life cover to protect dependents until retirement.
– Ensure your health insurance covers hospitalisation costs beyond employer cover.
– If your employer cover is limited, add a top-up plan.
– Maintain disability cover to protect income in case of accidents.

» Retirement Corpus Target Analysis

– Goal of Rs. 4 crore in 16 years needs disciplined and rising monthly investments.
– Current savings are helpful but need consistent growth focus.
– Avoid only relying on conservative assets like FD and PF for this goal.
– You need a growth-heavy allocation to beat inflation over long term.

» Growth-Focused Investment Plan

– Continue with equity mutual funds via regular plan through an MFD with CFP guidance.
– This gives personalised monitoring, behavioural guidance, and rebalancing help.
– Actively managed funds can outperform passive products in Indian markets.
– Avoid index funds due to limited downside protection and no active risk control.
– Allocate majority of fresh monthly investments to equity-oriented funds for growth.
– Use balanced or dynamic funds for some portion to reduce volatility.

» Disadvantages of Direct Funds

– Direct funds lack personalised guidance from a qualified CFP.
– They increase the risk of emotional decisions during market swings.
– Regular plan via MFD gives ongoing advice, rebalancing, and tax planning.
– Cost difference is small compared to the value of expert handling.

» Role of PF and NPS

– PF gives safe, steady growth and tax benefits. Keep contributing till retirement.
– NPS can be continued for extra retirement savings and tax deduction.
– Use higher equity allocation in NPS to align with your growth goal.

» Use of Existing Assets

– Equity holdings of Rs. 3.5 lakh should be reviewed for quality and future potential.
– Keep only fundamentally strong companies or shift to diversified equity mutual funds.
– FD amount can be kept as part of your emergency fund.
– Avoid adding more to FD unless needed for near-term goals.

» Emergency Fund Stability

– Maintain 6 to 8 months of expenses in safe, liquid form.
– Use liquid mutual funds or short-term bank FDs for this.
– This will protect your investments from unexpected withdrawals.

» Tax Efficiency in Investments

– For equity mutual funds, LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh per year is taxed at 12.5%.
– STCG is taxed at 20%.
– For debt mutual funds, all gains are taxed as per your slab rate.
– A CFP can help you book profits in a staggered manner to reduce tax impact.

» Monthly Investment Flow Plan

– After car loan ends, invest the EMI amount into mutual funds.
– Use SIPs for discipline and rupee cost averaging.
– Increase SIP amount every year with salary hikes.
– Keep at least 60% allocation in equity-oriented funds till you are near 50.
– Gradually shift to safer assets 3–4 years before retirement.

» Inflation Protection

– Your retirement will last for decades, so inflation risk is big.
– Equity-oriented funds help beat inflation over long periods.
– PF and NPS give stability but not high growth.
– Mix growth and stability for balanced results.

» Lifestyle Cost Control

– Review expenses yearly to avoid lifestyle inflation eating into savings.
– Redirect bonuses, incentives, and windfalls into retirement corpus.
– Avoid high-interest debt except home loan for tax benefits.

» Final Insights

– You have a strong base and good income to meet your Rs. 4 crore goal.
– Focus on clearing car loan soon and redirecting funds to SIPs.
– Keep majority of investments in equity-oriented funds for long-term growth.
– Use regular plan with CFP-led MFD support for active monitoring and adjustments.
– Avoid index funds and direct funds due to lack of risk control and guidance.
– Review portfolio every year for performance and goal tracking.
– Protect your family with adequate insurance throughout your working years.
– Stay disciplined with rising investments each year to reach the target comfortably.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10876 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 26, 2025

Money
Hello. I am 43 years old. Current portfolios is 1.35 crs in mutual funds. 25 lacs fd. Having life cover of 1.5 cr and mediclaim of 50 lacs. Real estate portfolio is 1 cr (2 flats on rent). No home loan or car loan. Have 1 child of 9 years age. Current monthly sip of 1.75 lacs. I plan to retire at 50. Am I on right track ?
Ans: You have built a very good base at 43. Your commitment to investing Rs.1.75 lakh monthly SIP shows excellent financial discipline. You are debt-free, covered with adequate insurance, and also earning rental income. These factors place you in a strong position. Still, retirement at 50 is an early retirement, so you must evaluate carefully from all angles. Let me give you a 360-degree analysis.

» Current Portfolio Position
– Mutual funds corpus of Rs.1.35 crore is a solid foundation.
– FD of Rs.25 lakh provides safety and liquidity.
– Real estate worth Rs.1 crore gives additional support with rental income.
– Life cover of Rs.1.5 crore is good for your family’s protection.
– Mediclaim cover of Rs.50 lakh ensures medical emergencies are addressed.
– Ongoing SIP of Rs.1.75 lakh is very powerful for wealth creation.

You have balanced growth, safety, and protection.

» Expense Requirement and Early Retirement Risk
– You want to retire at 50, so corpus should support at least 35 years of life.
– Expenses will not remain static. Inflation will increase costs 2–3 times in retirement.
– Retiring early reduces earning years and increases retirement years.
– This creates high demand on your portfolio.
– So corpus size must be much larger compared to retiring at 60.

This is the most critical part to evaluate.

» Education Goal for Child
– Your child is 9 years old.
– In next 8–9 years, higher education expenses will arise.
– Education costs are rising faster than normal inflation.
– This goal should be secured separately.
– Do not mix retirement corpus with child’s education funding.

Securing education first will make retirement planning clearer.

» Role of Your Current SIPs
– Monthly SIP of Rs.1.75 lakh is significant.
– In 7 years, this can create a large additional corpus.
– Power of compounding will accelerate growth.
– Choice of mutual funds also matters – equity for growth, some debt for stability.
– Actively managed funds work better than index funds in your case, because you need stability and flexibility in retirement planning.

This SIP commitment can take your corpus to a comfortable level if maintained consistently.

» Real Estate and Rental Income
– Two flats on rent add security.
– Rental income provides steady cash flow.
– But do not depend entirely on rental income.
– Rental yield in India is low compared to expenses.
– Real estate value may not grow as fast as equity.
– So treat real estate as supplementary, not primary retirement pillar.

Diversification beyond property is still essential.

» FDs and Their Role
– FD of Rs.25 lakh is good for liquidity.
– But FD returns are fully taxable at slab rate.
– Inflation can reduce their real value.
– Better to keep only limited amount in FD for emergencies.
– Rest can be shifted to debt mutual funds for better tax efficiency and flexibility.

FD should remain a liquidity cushion, not a wealth builder.

» Life Insurance Cover
– Rs.1.5 crore life cover is okay now.
– But with large portfolio already in place, your insurance need reduces.
– After 50, if corpus is strong enough, you may not even need term insurance.
– At that stage, your wealth itself acts as insurance.

For now, continue till you reach closer to retirement target.

» Medical Insurance
– Rs.50 lakh mediclaim is strong.
– Ensure it covers family as well.
– Health costs rise fast with age, so keep policy active lifelong.
– This will prevent retirement corpus from getting disturbed.

Health cover is non-negotiable for early retirees.

» Can You Retire at 50?
– Yes, it is possible, but depends on few conditions:

You must keep SIPs going till 50 without interruption.

You must separate child’s education funding in advance.

You must plan systematic withdrawal strategy post retirement.

You must balance equity and debt allocation properly.
– With 7 years of disciplined investing, corpus can grow big enough.
– But after retirement, growth allocation in equity is still needed.
– Entire corpus cannot be shifted to safe instruments, or inflation will eat into value.

So retiring at 50 is on track, provided you remain disciplined.

» Retirement Income Strategy Post 50
– Relying only on dividends or rent is not enough.
– Growth + SWP from mutual funds is better.
– SWP gives predictable income and better tax efficiency than dividends.
– Rental income can act as additional support, not primary.
– Keep at least 10–12 years of expenses in low-risk debt funds.
– Keep balance in equity for long-term growth.
– Review portfolio yearly with a Certified Financial Planner.

This combination of growth and safety will keep you comfortable.

» Psychological and Lifestyle Readiness
– Retirement is not only about money.
– You will have nearly 40 years of life post-retirement.
– You must plan activities, engagement, and health routines.
– Otherwise, early retirement may bring boredom or regret.
– Financial independence allows freedom, but purpose gives fulfillment.

Think about how you want to spend time after 50.

» Risks to Watch Out
– Market downturn just before retirement can impact corpus.
– Inflation can erode purchasing power.
– Child’s education costs may be higher than expected.
– Medical costs may rise with age despite insurance.
– Real estate may not generate higher rent in future.

Regular monitoring and flexibility in withdrawals will help handle these risks.

» Finally
– You are on a strong path with no loans, large SIPs, and good insurance cover.
– Retiring at 50 is possible if you protect child’s education goal separately.
– Maintain SIP discipline till 50 to strengthen corpus.
– Shift from dividend to growth + SWP strategy for efficiency.
– Keep balanced allocation between equity and debt even after retirement.
– Use rental income as support, not main pillar.
– Review with Certified Financial Planner every year to stay aligned.

Your discipline and foresight make early retirement achievable.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

..Read more

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Shalini

Shalini Singh  |180 Answers  |Ask -

Dating Coach - Answered on Dec 10, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 10, 2025Hindi
Relationship
Hi. I have been in a long distance relationship since 6 months,and i have known my boyfriend since 10 months. He is very understanding, caring,and honest person. He had already told everything about us for his parents and their parents agreed. We both are financially independent. I told my relationship to my parents and they are against it as my boyfriend is from lower caste, different region, not done his degree from a reputed college but a local engineering college, and his status. They are thinking about relatives, and society what will they say, about their pride, status, and all the respect they have earned uptill now will vanish because of my decision. My parents are very protective of me and have given me everything and like me a lot.They are saying its long distance you might have met only 15 times you don't see this person daily to judge his character. If you have known this person for atleast 2/3 years, with u meeting him daily it would be different. But the person i met is honest from the start. They are hurting daily because of my decision. I cant go against them and be happy.
Ans: 1. It is wonderful you have met someone special and in last 10 months you have met him 15 times which averages to meeting him 1.5 times a month. Is it possible to increase this and meet over every second weekend. Can you both travel once.

2. Parents are parents they worry and all parents are protective of their children as are yours. But if they are declining you because of caste etc then please question them asking them to give you an assurance that if they marry you to someone of their choice things will work - In reality there can be no assurance given for any relationship - found by you or introduced by parents as relationships need work by both...both need to grow up, both of you need to be happy individuals for relationship to work + if colleges were the deciding factor then we would not see divorces of those who married in the same caste or are from Stanford, MIT, IIT, IIMs, Inseads of the world.

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- meet his family
- get him to meet your parents
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all the best

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Naveenn

Naveenn Kummar  |234 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF, Insurance Expert - Answered on Dec 09, 2025

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Dear Naveen Sir, I am 55 Years old and have five more years in superannuation. My monthly take home is approx. 6 Lacs PM . I have accumulated 2 Cr. in MF , 1.5 Cr in PF , 1 Cr FD and NPS and LIC put all together will be approx 50 Lacs and payout will start from 2028 onwards. I have just booked one 4 BHK and take home loan which is construction linked plan . Possession will be in 2029. My Daughter and Son are on Marriage age but both are also earning handsomely as they are in 30% bracket of IT . Have parental property approx 1.5 Cr which i will get in due course of the time. Monthly expenses are approx 1 Lacs only . Please suggest the way forward for next 5 Years .....how and where i start investing ....
Ans: Dear Sir
For a comprehensive QPFP level financial planning and retirement assessment we request the following details. These inputs will allow financial planner to prepare an accurate inflation-adjusted roadmap covering risk protection, income stability, investment strategy and long-term financial security.
________________________________________
1. Personal and Family Details
Your age and planned retirement year.
Spouse’s age, working status and future income expectations.
Number of dependents and their financial reliance on you.
Any major medical conditions in the family.
________________________________________
2. Parents’ Health and Financial Dependence
Current health condition of parents.
Do they have their own medical insurance cover.
Sum insured and type of policy.
Any critical illness or pre-existing conditions.
Monthly financial support you provide to them if any.
Expected future medical or caretaker expenses.
________________________________________
3. Income and Cash Flow
Monthly take home income.
Expected increments or bonuses for the next five years.
Monthly household expense structure.
Existing EMIs and financial commitments.
Monthly surplus available for investments.
Any expenses expected to rise due to inflation or lifestyle changes.
________________________________________
4. Home Loan and Liabilities
Sanctioned home loan amount, interest rate and tenure.
Current disbursement status under construction linked plan.
Your plan for EMI servicing and part-prepayment.
Any other loans or financial liabilities.
________________________________________
5. Real Estate Profile
Is this 4 BHK your first home or do you own other properties.
Any rental income from existing properties.
Purpose of the new 4 BHK after retirement for self, parents or children.
Your plan for the parental house. Retain, sell or rent.
Where you plan to settle post retirement.
________________________________________
6. Investment Portfolio
Current mutual fund corpus and category-wise split.
SIP amounts and investment horizon.
PF, EPF, PPF and other retirement scheme balances.
Fixed deposit amounts, maturity periods and ownership structure for DICGC protection.
NPS allocations Tier 1 and Tier 2.
LIC policies with surrender value and maturity year.
Any bonds, NCDs, PMS, private equity or invoice discounting exposure.
________________________________________
7. Emergency Preparedness
Current emergency fund value.
Loan facility available against MF or FD.
Any credit line for medical or sudden expenses.
________________________________________
8. Insurance Protection (Self and Spouse)
Term insurance coverage and policy details.
Health insurance sum assured and insurer.
Top-up or super top-up cover details.
Critical illness and accident cover status.
Adequacy of insurance after accounting for inflation.
________________________________________
9. Children’s Goals and Planning
Are you contributing financially to your children's planning.
Any corpus set aside for their marriage.
Children’s own investment and insurance setup.
Any future goals involving them.
________________________________________
10. Retirement Vision and Income Planning
Expected retirement lifestyle and monthly cost adjusted for inflation.
Your preferred retirement income structure
SWP from mutual funds
Annuity or pension products
PF interest
NPS annuity
Rental income
Plans to monetise or downsize real estate if needed.
Any travel, medical or lifestyle goals post retirement.
________________________________________
11. Estate and Succession Planning
Will availability and last update date.
Nominations across MF, PF, NPS, FD, LIC, demat and bank accounts.
Any instructions for asset distribution.
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Next Step
Only Once you share these details, financial planner can prepare a complete five year roadmap covering asset allocation, inflation-adjusted corpus projections, loan strategy, insurance adequacy, medical preparedness, pension and SWP planning, liquidity management and post-retirement income stability.


Disclaimer / Guidance:
The above analysis is generic in nature and based on limited data shared. For accurate projections — including inflation, tax implications, pension structure, and education cost escalation — it is strongly advised to consult a qualified QPFP/CFP or Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD). They can help prepare a comprehensive retirement and goal-based cash flow plan tailored to your unique situation.
Financial planning is not only about returns; it’s about ensuring peace of mind and aligning your money with life goals. A professional planner can help you design a safe, efficient, and realistic roadmap toward your ideal retirement.

Best regards,
Naveenn Kummar, BE, MBA, QPFP
Chief Financial Planner | AMFI Registered MFD
https://members.networkfp.com/member/naveenkumarreddy-vadula-chennai
044-31683550

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10876 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 09, 2025

Money
Im aged 40 years and my husband is aged 48 years. We have one son aged 8 years and daughter aged 12 years. We both are in business. What should be the ideal corpus to meet their education at the age of 18 years for both children? Present business income we can save Rs.50000 pm
Ans: You are thinking early. That itself is a smart step. Many parents postpone planning and later struggle with loans. You are not in that situation. So appreciate your approach.

You asked about ideal corpus for higher education. Education cost is rising fast. So planning early avoids financial pressure later.

You have two kids. Your daughter is 12. Your son is 8. You have around six years for your daughter and around ten years for your son. With this time frame, you need a proper structured plan.

» Understanding Future Education Cost

Education inflation in India is high. It is increasing year after year. Even professional courses are becoming costly. College fees, hostel fees, books, digital tools and transportation also add cost.

You need to consider this inflation. Higher education cost will not remain at today’s value. It will grow.

So if today a standard undergraduate program costs around a few lakhs, in six to ten years the cost may go much higher. That is why estimating corpus should consider this future cost.

You don’t need exact numbers today. You need a target range to plan. A comfortable range gives clarity.

» Typical Cost Structure for Higher Education

Higher education cost depends on:

– Private or government institution
– Course type
– City or abroad option
– Duration

For engineering, medical, management or technology courses, cost goes higher. For government colleges the cost is lower but seats are limited. Private colleges are more accessible but expensive.

So planning based only on government college assumption may create funding gaps. Planning based on private college range gives safer margin.

» Suggested Corpus for Both Children

For your daughter, considering next six years gap and inflation, a target range should be higher. For your son, you have more time. So his corpus can grow better because compounding works more with time.

For a comfortable education corpus that covers most course possibilities, many families plan for a higher number. It gives flexibility to choose better college without stress.

So you can aim for a larger goal for both children like this:

– Daughter: Target a strong education fund for next six years
– Son: Target a similar or slightly higher fund for the next ten years because future costs may be higher

You may not need the whole amount if your child chooses a less expensive route. But having extra cushion gives peace.

» Your Savings Ability

You mentioned you can save Rs.50000 monthly. That is a strong saving capacity. But this saving should not go entirely to a single goal. You will also need future retirement planning, emergency fund and other life goals.

Still, a reasonable portion of this amount can be allocated towards education planning. Some families divide savings based on urgency and time horizon. Since daughter’s goal is near, she may need a more stable allocation.

Your son’s goal is long term. So his part can stay in growth asset for longer.

» Choosing the Right Investment Style

A long term goal like your son’s education needs equity exposure. Equity gives better potential for long term growth. It beats inflation better than fixed deposits.

But for your daughter, pure equity can create risk because goal is nearer. Market fluctuations may affect final corpus. So she needs a balanced asset mix.

So investment approach must be different for both.

» Asset Allocation Strategy

For your daughter with six year horizon:

– Higher allocation to a balanced type category
– Some allocation to equity through diversified categories
– Step down equity allocation in final three years

This structure protects capital in later years.

For your son with ten year horizon:

– Higher equity allocation at start
– Continue systematic investing
– Reduce risk allocation gradually closer to goal period

This helps growth and protection.

» Avoiding Wrong Investment Products

Parents often buy traditional insurance plans or children policies for education. These policies give low returns. They lock money and reduce wealth creation potential.

So avoid purely insurance based products for education goals. Insurance is separate. Investment is separate. This separation creates clarity and better growth.

If you already hold any ULIP or investment insurance product, it may not be efficient. Only if you have such policies then you may review and consider if surrender is needed and reinvest in mutual funds. If you don’t have such policies, no need to worry.

» Role of Actively Managed Mutual Funds

For long term goals, actively managed mutual funds offer better flexibility and expert management. They are designed to outperform inflation. A regular plan through a mutual fund distributor with CFP support helps with guidance. They also track your goal and give advice in volatile phases.

Direct funds look cheaper on expense ratio. But they lack advisory support. Long term investors often make emotional mistakes in direct investing. They stop SIPs or switch wrong schemes. So advisory backed investing avoids costly behaviour mistakes.

Index funds look simple and low cost. But they only follow the market. They don’t protect during corrections. There is no strategy or research. Actively managed funds adjust holdings based on market research and valuation. For life goals like education, smoother growth and strategy are needed.

So regular plan with advisory support helps you avoid unnecessary emotional decisions.

» Importance of Systematic Investing

A fixed monthly SIP gives discipline. It also benefits from market volatility. When markets fall, SIP buys more units. In rise phase, the value grows.

A structured SIP helps both goals. For daughter, SIP should shift towards low volatility funds slowly. For son, SIP can run longer in growth-oriented funds before reducing risk.

Your contribution amount may change based on future business income. But start now with whatever comfortable.

» Protecting the Goal With Insurance

Since you both are running business, income stability may fluctuate. So ensuring life security is important. Term insurance is the right option. It is low cost and high coverage.

This ensures child’s education is protected even if income stops.

Medical insurance also matters. A medical emergency should not break education savings.

» Reviewing the Plan Periodically

A fixed plan is good. But markets and life conditions change. So review once every twelve months.

Points to review:

– Are SIPs running on time?
– Is allocation suitable for goal year?
– Any need to shift from equity to safer category?
– Any tax planning advantage needed?

But avoid checking portfolio every week. Frequent checking creates stress.

» Education Goal Withdrawal Plan

As the daughter’s goal comes close:

– Stop SIP in high risk category
– Start shifting profit to debt type fund over systematic transfers
– Keep final year money in safe option like liquid category

Same formula should be applied for your son when his goal approaches.

This protects against last minute market crash.

» Emotional Side of Planning

Education is an emotional goal. Parents feel pressure to provide the best. But planning removes fear.

Saving consistently gives confidence. Having a plan helps avoid panic decisions. It also brings clarity of future expense.

This planning sets financial discipline for your children as well.

» Taxation Factors

When redeeming funds for education, tax rules will apply. For equity fund withdrawals, long term capital gains above exemption are taxed at 12.5% as per current rules. For short term within one year, tax is higher.

For debt investments, gains are taxed as per your tax slab.

So plan the withdrawal timing to reduce tax.

Tax planning near goal year is very important.

» What You Can Do Next

– Start separate investments for each child
– Use SIP for disciplined investing
– Choose growth-oriented asset for son
– Choose balanced and phased investment approach for daughter
– Review allocation yearly
– Protect the goal with insurance cover

Following these steps helps achieve the target corpus smoothly.

» Finally

You are already thinking in the right direction. You have time for both goals. You also have a good saving frequency. So you can build a strong education fund without stress.

Your children’s future will be secure if you continue with a structured and disciplined plan.

Stay consistent with your savings. Make investment choices carefully. Review and adjust calmly over time.

This journey will help you reach your ideal corpus for both children.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10876 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 09, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 09, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi Sir, Regarding recent turmoils in global economic situation and trends, Trump's tariffs, relentless FII selling, should I be worried about midcap, large&midcap funds that I have in my mutual fund portfolio? I have been investing from last 4 years and want to invest for next 10 years only. And then plan to retire and move to SWP. I'm targeting a 10%-11% return eventually. And I don't want to make lower returns than FD's. Is now the time to switch from midcap, laege&midcap to conservative, large, flexi funds? Please suggest.
Ans: You have asked the right question at the right time. Many investors panic only after damage happens. You are thinking ahead. That is a strong habit.

You also have clarity about your goal, time horizon and expected returns. This mindset will help you handle market noise better.

» Current Market Sentiment and Global Events
The global economy is seeing stress. There are trade decisions, tariff announcements, and geopolitical issues. Foreign institutional investors are selling. News flow looks negative.
These events can cause short term volatility. Midcaps and small caps usually react faster during these phases. Even large caps show some stress.
But markets have seen many crises in the past. Elections, governments, conflicts, pandemics, financial crashes and tariff wars are not new events. Markets always recover over time.
Short term movements are unpredictable. Long term wealth creation depends more on patience and asset allocation.

» Your Time Horizon Matters More Than Market Noise
You have been investing for 4 years. You plan to invest for the next 10 years. That means your remaining maturity is long term.
For a 10 year goal, equity is suitable. Midcap and large and midcap funds are designed for long term investors. They are not meant for short periods.
If your time horizon is short, it is valid to worry about downside risk. But with 10 more years ahead, temporary volatility is normal and expected.
Short term fear should not drive long term decisions.

» Should You Switch to Conservative or Large Cap Now?
Switching based on panic or temporary news is not ideal. When you switch now, you lock the current lower value permanently. You also miss the recovery phase.
Large cap and flexi cap funds offer stability. But they also deliver lower growth potential during bull runs compared to midcaps.
Midcaps usually fall deeper when markets drop. But they also recover faster and often outperform in the next cycle.
Switching now may protect emotions but may reduce long term wealth creation.

» Target Return of 10% to 11% is Reasonable
Aiming for 10%-11% return with a 10 year investment horizon is realistic.
Fixed deposits now offer around 6.5% to 7.5%. After tax, the return becomes lower.
Equity funds have potential to generate better returns compared to FD over a long tenure. Midcap allocation contributes to this return potential.
So moving fully to conservative funds may reduce your ability to beat inflation comfortably.

» Impact of FII Selling
FII selling creates pressure on the market. But domestic investors including SIP flows are strong today. India is seeing strong structural growth.
Retail investors, mutual funds and systematic flows act as stabilizers.
FII selling is temporary and cyclical. It is not a permanent trend.

» Economic Slowdowns Create Opportunities
Corrections make valuations reasonable. This can benefit long term SIP investors.
During downturns, your SIP buys more units. During recovery, these units grow.
This mechanism works best in volatile categories like midcaps.
Stopping SIP or switching during dips blocks this benefit.

» Midcap Cycles Are Natural
Midcap funds move in cycles. They have phases of strong growth followed by correction. The correction phase is painful but temporary.
Every cycle contributes to future upside. Staying invested during all phases is important.
Many investors exit during downturns and enter again after markets rise. This behaviour produces lower returns than the mutual fund performance.

» Role of Portfolio Balance
Instead of exiting fully, review your asset allocation. You can hold a mix of:
– Large cap
– Flexi cap
– Midcap
– Large and midcap
This gives stability and growth potential.
Midcap should not be more than a suitable percentage for your age and risk tolerance. Since you are 36, some meaningful midcap exposure is fine.
If midcap exposure is very high, you can reduce slightly and move that portion to flexi cap or large cap funds slowly through a systematic transfer. Do not do a lump sum shift during panic.

» Behavioural Discipline Matters More Than Fund Selection
Market cycles test investor patience. Consistency in SIP and holding through declines builds wealth.
Most investors do not fail due to bad funds. They fail due to fear-based decisions.
Your approach should be systematic, not emotional.

» Do Not Compare with FD Frequently
FD gives predictable return. Equity gives volatile but higher potential return.
Comparing FD returns every time the market falls leads to wrong decisions.
FD is for safety. Equity is for growth. They serve different purposes.
Your retirement plan and SWP plan depends on growth. Only equity can provide that growth.

» Should You Change Strategy Because Retirement is 10 Years Away?
Now is not the time to exit growth segments. You are still in accumulation phase.
When you reach the last 3 years before retirement, then reducing equity exposure step by step is required.
At that stage, a glide path helps preserve gains. That time has not yet come.
So continue building wealth now.

» Market Timings and Shifts Rarely Work
Many investors try to predict markets. Most of them fail.
Switching based on news looks logical. But news and market timing rarely align.
Staying consistent with your asset allocation gives better results than frequent changes.

» Portfolio Review Approach
You can follow these steps:
– Continue SIPs in all categories
– Avoid stopping based on short term fears
– If midcap allocation is above comfort level, shift only small portion gradually
– Review allocation once in a year, not every month
This structured approach prevents emotional decisions.

» Tax Rules Matter When Switching
Switching between equity funds involves tax impact.
Short term capital gains tax is higher.
Long term capital gains above the exemption limit are taxed at 12.5%.
Switching without purpose can create avoidable tax leakage.
This reduces your compounding.

» When to Worry?
You need to reconsider only if:
– Your goal horizon becomes short
– Your risk appetite changes
– Your allocation becomes unbalanced
Not because of headlines or temporary corrections.

» Your Retirement SWP Plan
Once your accumulation phase is completed, you can shift to:
– Conservative hybrid
– Flexi cap
– Balanced allocation
This will support a smoother SWP.
But this transition should happen only closer to the retirement start date. Not now.

» SIP is Designed for Turbulent Years
SIP works best when markets are volatile. The hardest years for emotions are the most powerful for compounding.
Your long term discipline is your strategy.
Do not interrupt it.

» What You Should Do Now
– Stay invested
– Continue SIP
– Avoid panic selling
– Review allocation once a year
– Use a steady plan, not reactions
This will help you reach your target return range.

» Finally
You are on the right path. The current volatility is temporary. Your 10 year horizon gives enough time for recovery and growth.
Switching right now based on fear may reduce your future returns. Staying invested and continuing SIPs is the sensible approach.
Your goal of better return than FD is realistic. Equity can deliver that with patience.
Stay calm and systematic.
Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

...Read more

Radheshyam

Radheshyam Zanwar  |6740 Answers  |Ask -

MHT-CET, IIT-JEE, NEET-UG Expert - Answered on Dec 09, 2025

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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