How can I build a large corpus without using SIP or step-up SIP?

Ans: When building a retirement corpus, the question arises: should you invest through a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) or a lump sum? Both approaches can help you reach your retirement goals, but they work differently. In this response, we’ll explore both strategies and provide insights on how they can affect your long-term financial growth.

The goal is to understand which option is better for you, considering factors like risk, time horizon, and the market’s volatility. You want an “amazing corpus,” but the route you take should align with your personal financial goals and comfort with market fluctuations.

The Power of SIP: Slow and Steady Wins
Consistent Investment: SIP allows you to invest a fixed amount regularly. This is perfect if you want to build wealth steadily over time. You invest small amounts, and they grow due to the power of compounding.

Market Volatility Advantage: SIPs help you manage market ups and downs. When the market is low, you get more units, and when it’s high, you get fewer. This process is called rupee-cost averaging, and it can balance out market fluctuations.

Flexibility: SIPs are flexible. You can start, pause, or increase your investments as your financial situation changes. You can also start with a step-up SIP, where the contribution increases gradually every year. This helps to boost your corpus without feeling a strain on your finances.

Great for Discipline: If you are someone who tends to delay investments, SIPs are ideal. They bring discipline to your financial life because the investment is automatic and regular.

No Need to Time the Market: You don’t need to worry about whether the market is up or down. SIP investors focus on the long-term horizon. The goal is to stay invested for many years, allowing the power of compounding to work.

Limitations of SIP
Limited Immediate Growth: The disadvantage is that you may not see immediate large gains. Since SIP is a gradual approach, it can take years for significant growth.

Emotional Commitment: SIPs require emotional patience. Some people may get frustrated during market downturns, but the key is to stay invested.

Lump Sum Investment: All at Once
One-Time Commitment: A lump sum investment involves putting a large amount of money in one go. It can give you the opportunity for great growth, especially if you invest during a market dip and stay invested for decades.

Immediate Exposure: By investing a large sum at once, you get immediate exposure to the entire market. If the market performs well soon after your investment, you might see large short-term gains. This is why lump sum investments tend to be more exciting for investors seeking quick growth.

Compounding Over Time: If left untouched for decades, a lump sum can also benefit greatly from the power of compounding. The longer you stay invested, the more potential growth you may see.

Suits Investors with Capital: Lump sum investments are better for individuals who already have the capital available and can invest without needing liquidity in the short term.

Disadvantages of Lump Sum
Market Timing Risk: The biggest challenge with lump sum investing is market timing. If you invest during a market peak, your portfolio could take a hit during the next correction or crash. It’s hard to predict market movements, and a lump sum exposes you to higher risks if the market turns unfavourable.

Lack of Rupee-Cost Averaging: Unlike SIP, you don’t get the benefit of averaging. You are fully exposed to the market from day one. If the market falls, your lump sum value drops immediately, and you may feel the urge to exit too soon.

Emotional Stress: Managing a large amount of money in a volatile market can be stressful. Many investors panic when the market falls and sell their investments at a loss. This emotional decision can damage your corpus-building efforts.

Combining SIP and Lump Sum
Why choose one when you can have both? One approach that works well for many investors is a combination of lump sum and SIP. Here’s how this strategy could work:

Initial Lump Sum with Ongoing SIP: If you have a large amount to invest right now, you can start with a lump sum to take advantage of market opportunities. After that, you can set up an SIP to continue investing regularly. This way, you get both the benefits of immediate growth and long-term consistency.

Lump Sum for Market Opportunities: Use your lump sum when the market presents an opportunity. For example, during a market correction, investing a large amount can boost your portfolio when the market rebounds.

SIP for Stability: Your SIP keeps working in the background. It ensures that you stay invested and continue building your corpus without worrying about timing the market.

The Role of Actively Managed Funds
Why Avoid Index Funds?: Index funds passively follow a market index and don’t offer the opportunity for higher returns. They perform in line with the market, which limits growth. In contrast, actively managed funds are run by experienced fund managers who seek better opportunities and can adjust the portfolio to improve returns.

Benefits of Active Management: Actively managed funds have the potential to outperform the market. They are monitored by professionals who aim to generate higher returns. These funds can be crucial for growing your lump sum or SIP investments over decades. Certified Financial Planners (CFP) often recommend this option due to the personalized and professional approach.

Avoid Direct Funds: You may come across direct mutual funds, but investing through an MFD with CFP credentials ensures you get expert guidance. Direct funds do not offer the same level of professional advice or support that can make a significant difference in long-term returns.

Impact of Inflation and Taxes
Inflation: One of the key factors that erode your savings over decades is inflation. Your investment plan, whether SIP or lump sum, should aim for returns that are much higher than inflation. Actively managed funds, with a portion in equity, can provide the growth needed to beat inflation over time.

Taxes: Both SIP and lump sum investments are subject to capital gains tax. Long-term capital gains from equity mutual funds are taxed at 12.5% for gains exceeding Rs 1.25 lakh in a financial year. However, this is still more tax-efficient compared to traditional fixed deposits, where the entire interest is taxable.

Building the Corpus: What is Realistic?
Time Horizon: If you plan to leave your investment untouched for a few decades, both SIP and lump sum can work wonders. But the key is the time horizon. The longer you can stay invested, the better the results.

Corpus Size: It’s possible to accumulate a large corpus with either SIP or lump sum, but you must have realistic expectations. The stock market can offer high returns, but it’s important not to expect quick results. Staying invested through market cycles and allowing compounding to work its magic is essential.

Regular Monitoring: Regardless of the method, monitoring your portfolio is important. It ensures your investments stay on track towards your goal. A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can help you rebalance your portfolio when necessary.

Final Insights
Investing in a systematic manner through SIPs or a lump sum both have their merits. If you are looking for a disciplined approach, SIP is excellent for consistent, long-term growth. If you have a lump sum amount and can handle the short-term risks, investing it wisely can yield significant returns over decades.

However, you don’t need to stick to one strategy. Combining both methods will give you a well-rounded approach. Let your lump sum boost your growth, while your SIP provides stability over time.

Actively managed funds offer the growth potential you need to create an amazing corpus for the future. By staying invested for the long term and trusting a Certified Financial Planner, you can achieve financial security without having to worry about market volatility or missed opportunities.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in