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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |6733 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Oct 01, 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
samiran Question by samiran on Sep 30, 2024Hindi
Money

Hi Sir, I have around 4 CR which will be available to me by March 2025.I wanted to do investment of that 4 CR so that I can generate enough funds (roughly 2 lakh) per month. I dont want some risky investment where I might loose money. I am OK with a fund manager who can manage that. I am strongly against mutual funds as they dont give actual return what they earn from our funds. Please advise.

Ans: You are looking for a safe, low-risk investment strategy for Rs 4 crore, which will be available to you by March 2025. Your target is to generate a monthly income of Rs 2 lakh. You have clearly stated that you are not interested in mutual funds due to dissatisfaction with their returns.

Generating Rs 2 Lakh Monthly Income
Your goal of generating Rs 2 lakh per month translates to Rs 24 lakh annually, which is 6% of Rs 4 crore. Achieving this in a low-risk manner is possible, but it requires careful planning. Your preference for low risk indicates that capital preservation is a priority, and you are open to engaging a fund manager for this purpose.

Here are some options that could meet your requirements.

Safe Investment Options
1. Fixed Deposits (FDs)
Bank FDs are one of the safest investment options in India. Many banks offer senior citizen fixed deposit schemes with slightly higher interest rates.

Though returns from FDs range between 6-7%, this might be lower than your target. However, FDs ensure safety of your principal amount, which is important for low-risk investors.

2. Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS)
The Senior Citizen Savings Scheme is a government-backed scheme. It is ideal for investors above 60 years old who seek regular income. The current interest rate is around 8%, but it may fluctuate based on government decisions.

The scheme has a tenure of 5 years, which can be extended by another 3 years. You can invest a portion of your Rs 4 crore in SCSS, subject to its upper limit.

3. Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS)
POMIS is a government-backed scheme, offering a guaranteed monthly income. The returns are not high, but it offers security and peace of mind. Interest rates are around 6.6% to 7%.

The maximum investment limit per individual is Rs 9 lakh, so you can consider spreading the amount across multiple family members.

4. Debt Instruments
You can explore corporate bonds or non-convertible debentures (NCDs) from reputed companies. These offer better returns than bank FDs, ranging between 7-9%, and are relatively safe when invested in top-rated companies.

Government bonds are another option, where you can lock in returns for the long term. Though they may offer lower returns than corporate bonds, they come with low risk.

5. Conservative Hybrid Funds
Although you have reservations about mutual funds, conservative hybrid funds may align with your risk profile. These funds invest predominantly in debt instruments, ensuring stability, and a small portion in equities for growth.

Returns from such funds generally range between 7-9%, and they provide regular dividend payouts. The active fund management ensures risk is minimised, and you can achieve better returns than traditional FDs.

6. RBI Floating Rate Bonds
RBI Floating Rate Savings Bonds are considered very safe as they are backed by the government. These bonds currently offer interest rates around 7-8%.

The interest is paid semi-annually, providing a steady source of income. The rates are linked to prevailing government securities rates, making them slightly more flexible.

7. SWP in Debt Mutual Funds
While you are not in favour of mutual funds, a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) in debt funds could be a good fit. It ensures regular income while keeping risk low since these funds invest mainly in government securities and corporate bonds.

Debt funds also offer tax efficiency if held for more than three years, as long-term capital gains are taxed at a lower rate than interest income.

Role of Certified Financial Planner
You have mentioned that you are comfortable with a fund manager handling your investments. A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can help design a customised portfolio tailored to your risk appetite. The CFP will manage your investments actively, ensuring that the balance between income generation and capital preservation is maintained.

The advantage of having a CFP manage your investments is that they continuously assess the market conditions. They can recommend switching to better-performing options if necessary.

CFPs also focus on tax efficiency, ensuring that you keep more of your earnings rather than losing them to taxes.

Tax Efficiency
Given your preference for safety and regular income, tax-efficient investments are crucial. Interest income from FDs, bonds, or other fixed-income instruments is taxable at your income tax slab rate. However, certain investment options like debt mutual funds can offer more tax-efficient returns.

SWP in Debt Funds: In an SWP, only the portion that represents capital gains is taxed, making it more tax-efficient than receiving the entire amount as interest income.

Achieving Balance Between Safety and Returns
To meet your goal of generating Rs 2 lakh per month, your investments should ideally be spread across various low-risk instruments. Here is a potential approach:

Fixed Deposits and SCSS: Allocate a portion to these to ensure safety and guaranteed returns.

Corporate Bonds and Debt Funds: These can provide higher returns than traditional FDs without taking too much risk.

Post Office Monthly Income Scheme and RBI Bonds: Allocate another portion here to diversify across low-risk government-backed schemes.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP): Set up an SWP in conservative hybrid or debt mutual funds to provide regular monthly income with tax-efficient withdrawals.

By balancing your portfolio between these safe options, you can aim to achieve both capital preservation and regular income.

Final Insights
You are rightly focused on maintaining the safety of your principal amount while generating a regular income of Rs 2 lakh per month. Based on your preferences, a combination of fixed deposits, SCSS, bonds, and conservative debt mutual funds will help you meet your goals.

While mutual funds may not be your first choice, debt funds with an SWP option can offer a tax-efficient alternative with minimal risk. Working with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) will ensure that your investments are professionally managed, keeping your financial objectives in mind.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment
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  |6733 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Oct 14, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Oct 13, 2024Hindi
Money
Hello Sir, I am 48 years old.. want to get 2 cr by investing monthly 50000 to 60000 please advise how should i invest to get 2 cr in next 5 years.
Ans: At 48 years old, you are at a critical phase of wealth creation. You want to reach a target of Rs 2 crore by investing Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 monthly over the next five years. Achieving this goal requires a disciplined, well-structured approach and smart investment decisions. Here's how you can get there:

Assessing Your Financial Goals
Investment Horizon: You have a relatively short investment horizon of five years. This means that you need a blend of high-growth investments with a certain degree of safety as you approach the target.

Risk Appetite: Since you are nearing retirement, your ability to take risks may not be as high. However, to achieve Rs 2 crore in five years, you will need to consider moderately aggressive options.

Investment Flexibility: With a monthly commitment of Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000, you have the flexibility to diversify your portfolio effectively.

Investment Strategy
Diversified Portfolio:

A balanced portfolio between equity and debt is necessary for your goal. Investing entirely in equities may offer higher returns but comes with higher risks, especially in the short term. On the other hand, debt-oriented investments offer stability but may not generate the required returns.

Equity Allocation: Given your time frame, allocate around 60% to 70% of your monthly investments into equity mutual funds. Actively managed funds are better in this scenario than index funds. Active funds provide opportunities for fund managers to outperform benchmarks, while index funds simply replicate the market performance, which may not be sufficient to meet your high return target.

Disadvantages of Index Funds: Index funds tend to underperform in volatile markets because they lack the flexibility to adapt. A Certified Financial Planner can guide you toward actively managed funds, which can better suit your five-year horizon. Moreover, active funds may help mitigate the impact of downturns due to professional management and sector rotation.
Debt Allocation: Allocate 30% to 40% of your portfolio to debt mutual funds. Debt investments provide stability and balance your portfolio’s risk. Debt funds can protect you from market volatility as you approach the end of your investment horizon.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP):

Investing monthly through SIPs in mutual funds is ideal for your needs. It provides a disciplined way of investing and helps in rupee cost averaging, which reduces the impact of market fluctuations over time.

SIP in Equity Mutual Funds: You should focus on diversified equity mutual funds that invest in large-cap and mid-cap stocks. These funds can offer potential growth while balancing risk.

SIP in Debt Mutual Funds: Debt funds provide more consistent returns. You can consider funds with lower interest rate sensitivity for safety. SIPs into these funds can ensure you don’t put too much at risk while still gaining moderate returns.

Review Your Existing Insurance and Policies
If you have any existing LIC or ULIP policies, review their performance. Many of these traditional plans may not offer the kind of returns you need for wealth creation. In such cases, consider surrendering these policies and reinvesting the proceeds into mutual funds with the help of a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). A CFP will guide you on how to exit these policies without losing too much and reinvest for better returns.

Tax Efficiency in Mutual Fund Investments
Given the new mutual fund capital gains taxation rules, you need to consider tax implications while planning your investments.

Equity Mutual Funds: The long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax on equity mutual funds is now applicable above Rs 1.25 lakh, and it is taxed at 12.5%. This tax can impact your returns in the long run, so proper tax planning is essential. When you sell your funds, any profits beyond Rs 1.25 lakh in a financial year will be taxed, which needs to be factored into your overall return calculation.

Debt Mutual Funds: For debt mutual funds, capital gains are taxed based on your income tax slab. If your income falls in a higher tax bracket, this could significantly impact your returns. Short-term capital gains (STCG) from debt funds are taxed as per your income tax slab, while LTCG from debt funds are also taxed based on the slab rate.

To minimise tax impact, your CFP will guide you in structuring withdrawals and optimising your tax liabilities by keeping an eye on the investment tenure and tax slabs.

Increase Your SIP Contributions Annually
As your income increases or you receive bonuses, try to increase your SIP contributions. Small increments can make a big difference in achieving your Rs 2 crore target. A step-up SIP strategy allows you to increase your investment amount every year, boosting your chances of meeting your goal within the given time frame.

Emergency Fund
Even though your goal is to build a Rs 2 crore corpus, you must not overlook building an emergency fund. Your emergency fund should cover at least six months of your living expenses. Having this buffer will ensure that you don’t need to withdraw from your long-term investments in case of unexpected events.

An emergency fund can be held in liquid mutual funds or fixed deposits. These options provide liquidity while offering moderate returns.

Contingency Planning
While you are focusing on building a significant corpus, also ensure you have adequate contingency plans in place. Since you are 48 years old, health insurance and life insurance are crucial to protect your family in case of any unexpected events. Review your existing health insurance coverage to ensure it is adequate. You may need to enhance it based on your current financial status and family needs.

Health Insurance: If you don’t have health insurance, get a robust plan that covers critical illnesses. This ensures you don’t have to dip into your savings for medical emergencies.

Life Insurance: Term insurance is the most cost-effective option for covering life risk. Ensure that the sum assured is enough to meet your family’s needs in case of your absence.

Investment Monitoring
Regularly monitor your portfolio performance. Review your investments at least once every six months. This will allow you to make adjustments if needed, especially if your investments are underperforming or if there are significant market changes.

Also, keep an eye on your goals. If there’s a shortfall or if the market environment changes, you can tweak your portfolio to get back on track. Work closely with your CFP, who can provide guidance during volatile markets or periods of underperformance.

Final Insights
Reaching Rs 2 crore in five years is ambitious but achievable with careful planning. Balancing high-growth equity investments with safe debt options is essential. A Certified Financial Planner can help you select the right mutual funds and maintain tax efficiency.

By investing Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 monthly, sticking to your plan, and reviewing it regularly, you will increase your chances of success. Remember, wealth creation requires discipline, patience, and a balanced approach.

Ensure you have sufficient insurance coverage to protect your family and have an emergency fund in place.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |6733 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Oct 21, 2024

Money
Dear Mr. Ramalingam, My name is Vasudevan,age is 59 Years and planning to retire within a year. My Investment is as follows Stock Market Value as on today => 1.2 Cr MFI Various scheme => 2..3 Cr SBI life Pension ==> 1.2 L per month expected receive from year July 2026 till my Life time. House ==> Own house to live Loan Liabilities ==> Zero Responsibilities ===> Marriage expenses of two Sons. My question above fund is sufficient to take care of my retirement life with my wife if i retire next year or to continue my working for some more time to increase my corpus. Regards Vasudevan
Ans: At 59, retirement is a big milestone, and it’s important to evaluate your finances carefully to ensure you and your wife can enjoy a comfortable life.

Let’s assess your financial position step by step and address your query on whether you should retire next year or continue working.

1. Current Financial Situation Overview
Here’s a snapshot of your current financial standing:

Stock Market Investment: Rs 1.2 crore.

Mutual Fund Investment (MFI): Rs 2.3 crore.

SBI Life Pension: Rs 1.2 lakh per month from July 2026 onwards.

Own House: You already own your house, which is excellent as it eliminates rent or mortgage payments.

No Loan Liabilities: This is another great position to be in as you enter retirement debt-free.

Responsibilities: You have the marriage expenses of your two sons to consider.

Your total liquid investment portfolio (stocks + mutual funds) is Rs 3.5 crore.

2. Monthly Income Needs Post-Retirement
The first step in retirement planning is calculating your monthly expenses. These will include:

Household Expenses: Regular day-to-day expenses, such as groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare.

Medical and Healthcare Costs: This is a crucial area that tends to increase with age. Make sure to factor in insurance premiums and out-of-pocket medical costs.

Miscellaneous and Lifestyle Expenses: Travel, leisure, and gifts or family functions may come under this category.

Assume you need Rs 1 lakh per month for your regular living expenses. This could increase slightly over time due to inflation. To cover this, you need a steady stream of income throughout your retirement.

3. Pension Starting in 2026: Planning for the Interim
Your pension from SBI Life will provide Rs 1.2 lakh per month starting in 2026. This will comfortably cover your monthly expenses from that point onward.

However, between the time you retire next year and when your pension kicks in, you’ll need to rely on your current investments for income. This is a period of about three years, and you should plan how to draw from your investments wisely during this time.

4. Sustainability of the Current Corpus
Let’s assess your investment portfolio and whether it can generate enough income to support your lifestyle for the rest of your life.

Stock Market Investment (Rs 1.2 crore): Stock investments can provide good returns, but they are volatile. You need to be cautious about withdrawing money during market downturns.

Mutual Funds (Rs 2.3 crore): This provides more stability compared to stocks but also comes with risk, especially if you are heavily invested in equity funds.

Disadvantages of Index Funds: If your portfolio includes index funds, be aware that these don’t provide the flexibility to respond to market conditions. Actively managed funds, on the other hand, offer better growth potential, especially in volatile times, as fund managers can make strategic decisions.

The total investment corpus of Rs 3.5 crore should be enough for a comfortable retirement if managed properly.

5. Asset Allocation for Retirement
Now that you are close to retirement, your investment strategy should shift towards wealth preservation, with some room for growth to keep pace with inflation. Here’s what you can do:

Shift to Debt and Hybrid Mutual Funds: You should consider moving some of your money from stocks and equity mutual funds into debt or hybrid mutual funds. These funds offer more stability and lower risk while still providing moderate returns.

Regular Funds vs Direct Funds: If you are currently investing in direct funds, it’s important to understand that these require active monitoring. A better approach for retirement is to invest through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), who can help you choose regular funds that are professionally managed.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP): Once you retire, consider setting up a SWP from your mutual fund investments. This allows you to withdraw a fixed amount every month, providing you with a steady income while keeping your principal intact for as long as possible.

LTCG and STCG Taxation: Be mindful of the new capital gains tax rules. Long-term capital gains (LTCG) from equity funds above Rs 1.25 lakh will be taxed at 12.5%, while short-term gains (STCG) are taxed at 20%. For debt funds, LTCG and STCG are taxed according to your income tax slab.

6. Marriage Expenses for Your Sons
You have two upcoming significant expenses – the marriage of your two sons. It’s essential to plan for these carefully:

Set Aside a Separate Fund: Keep a portion of your investments aside specifically for these expenses. Since marriage costs can vary, estimate the budget and invest in a liquid or short-term debt fund so that the money is accessible when needed.

Avoid Dipping into Retirement Corpus: Try to fund these expenses from your current investments or savings, without affecting your primary retirement corpus. This way, you don’t risk your long-term financial security.

7. Healthcare and Medical Coverage
Medical costs tend to rise with age, and healthcare is often the biggest unknown in retirement planning. Here’s what you need to do:

Comprehensive Health Insurance: Make sure you and your wife have comprehensive health insurance coverage. You should have a policy with at least Rs 10-15 lakh coverage, depending on your health condition.

Set Aside a Medical Emergency Fund: Keep a separate liquid fund for medical emergencies. This could be Rs 10-15 lakh, which you can access quickly if needed.

8. Lifestyle and Leisure
After working hard all your life, retirement is the time to enjoy. You and your wife may want to travel or indulge in hobbies. Make sure to budget for these activities as well.

Set a Leisure Budget: Keep a specific amount aside for your travel and hobbies. This could be funded through a part of your stock portfolio, allowing you to benefit from any market upswings before you spend the money.
Finally: Is Your Corpus Enough?
Your current corpus of Rs 3.5 crore (stocks + mutual funds) is significant and should be enough to provide you with a comfortable retirement if managed wisely.

Here’s a summary of what you should consider:

Use your investments to cover your expenses for the next three years until your pension starts.

Rebalance your portfolio to reduce risk by shifting to debt and hybrid mutual funds.

Set up a SWP to generate regular income from your investments.

Keep a separate fund for your sons' marriages and medical emergencies.

If you are comfortable with your current lifestyle and do not foresee major additional expenses, your current corpus should be sufficient. However, if you want to enhance your financial security further, continuing to work for a few more years could allow you to grow your corpus and strengthen your position.

Best Regards,

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

...Read more

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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