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How can I invest 70kpm with low risk? Reader in their 40s seeks advice on investment plan

Ramalingam Kalirajan |7281 Answers |Ask -Follow

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Oct 04, 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

Question by Smit on Oct 03, 2024Hindi

Sir, After closing my home loan, I have free amount of 70kpm which I am looking to invest with low risk. I have planned in the below manner: 10 kpm - in gold etf or gold mf (which is better) 5 kpm - in NPS vatsalya scheme (for elder son 15y age) 5 kpm - in NPS vatsalya scheme (for younger son 10y age) 20 kpm - in RD for next year school fees of both sons 15 kpm - in RD for family vacation 15 kpm - in MF SIP. PLease suggest. Will NPS be a good option for our sons future? DO you suggest any other option? I am already investing 40kpm in SIP MF, 10kpm in Term plan of SA 1.5 CR. 20 kpm in conventional Insurance plans. 40 kpm in my PF & PPF. 10kpm in my NPS

Ans: Your current investment strategy is well thought out, considering various goals for your family’s future. With a monthly surplus of Rs 70,000 after closing your home loan, you’ve allocated this amount towards multiple financial goals. Let's assess each component of your plan and evaluate its effectiveness for low-risk investments while considering your children's future.

Gold ETF vs. Gold Mutual Fund
Gold ETF: Gold ETFs are cost-efficient and directly linked to the price of gold. They are traded like stocks and have lower expense ratios compared to gold mutual funds. They provide liquidity and allow you to hold physical gold in electronic form without the storage hassle.

Gold Mutual Fund: Gold mutual funds invest in gold ETFs. These funds are more accessible, especially for investors who don’t have a demat account. However, they come with a higher expense ratio compared to ETFs.

For long-term investment in gold, Gold ETFs would be a better choice because of lower costs and direct linkage to gold prices. However, both options are relatively safe for gold investments.

NPS Vatsalya Scheme for Children
You’ve planned to invest Rs 5,000 per month for each of your sons in the NPS Vatsalya scheme. Let’s analyse whether NPS is the best option for your children's future.

NPS Benefits: NPS is a low-cost, government-backed pension scheme. While it offers tax benefits, it is primarily a retirement planning tool. Since NPS locks in the corpus until retirement age, it may not be the most ideal choice for children's education or other financial needs before they turn 60.
For your sons’ future, it might be better to consider long-term equity mutual funds or child plans that provide flexibility and potential higher returns for educational needs or other significant life events. Mutual funds allow partial withdrawals and can align better with milestones like higher education or marriage.

Suggested Alternatives:

Consider equity mutual funds with a long-term horizon, which provide better growth potential for your sons' future goals.
You could also explore child education plans that offer benefits aligned with specific milestones like higher education.
Recurring Deposits (RDs) for Short-Term Goals
20K for School Fees: This allocation is prudent. RDs are safe, and since the goal is short-term, using an RD for your children’s school fees next year is a sound strategy. It ensures safety and liquidity.

15K for Family Vacation: Saving in an RD for your family vacation is a good idea for the short term. It keeps your savings safe and ensures you can use the funds when needed without risking market fluctuations.

Assessment:

For both these short-term goals, RDs are a low-risk and appropriate choice.
Mutual Fund SIPs
15K for Mutual Fund SIP: Allocating Rs 15,000 towards equity mutual funds via SIPs is a smart move for wealth creation. Equity mutual funds are suitable for long-term goals, and SIPs bring discipline and rupee cost averaging.
Since you are already investing Rs 40,000 per month in mutual funds, increasing this by Rs 15,000 strengthens your portfolio and ensures long-term growth potential. This balance between equity investments and safer options like RDs and gold is a well-rounded strategy.

Insight:

Diversifying your SIPs across large-cap, mid-cap, and hybrid funds can help manage risk and improve returns over time.
Ensure you are invested in actively managed mutual funds instead of index funds to maximize your returns, as actively managed funds have the potential to outperform in different market conditions.
Evaluating Your Current Investments
Rs 40K in SIPs: Your existing investment of Rs 40,000 per month in mutual funds shows a good focus on long-term growth. Since mutual funds offer better growth potential than traditional savings, it is a good strategy to balance risk and reward.

Rs 10K in Term Plan (SA 1.5 CR): A term plan is an essential part of any financial plan, especially for a family. Your term plan with a sum assured of Rs 1.5 crore is adequate to provide for your family in case of any unforeseen circumstances. Continue with this policy as it serves to protect your family financially.

Rs 20K in Conventional Insurance Plans: Conventional insurance plans often provide lower returns compared to mutual funds or other investment options. They usually mix insurance and investment, which results in sub-optimal returns. You may want to reconsider whether these plans align with your long-term goals. Instead, pure term insurance for protection, combined with mutual funds for growth, usually provides better results.

Rs 40K in PF & PPF: Your existing contributions to PF and PPF are ideal for low-risk, long-term saving. These schemes offer safe, tax-efficient growth. Keep contributing as they ensure stability in your portfolio.

Rs 10K in NPS: Investing in NPS for your own retirement is a sound decision, as it provides tax benefits and helps you build a retirement corpus with a mix of equity and debt exposure.

Suggestions for Improvement
NPS for Children: As discussed, NPS is not the best fit for your sons’ future. For their education and other life goals, consider investing in mutual funds or dedicated child plans instead.

Reevaluate Conventional Insurance Plans: These plans often come with low returns and high costs. If possible, shift the investment component to equity mutual funds or SIPs. You already have sufficient life insurance coverage through your term plan.

Increase SIP Contributions Gradually: Over time, as your income grows, try to increase your SIP contributions. Even a 10-15% increase every year can significantly boost your wealth over the long term, thanks to the power of compounding.

Ensure Proper Allocation for Retirement: While you are focusing on your children’s future and short-term goals, ensure that your retirement planning is not compromised. Continue contributions to PF, PPF, and NPS while allocating enough towards equity mutual funds for long-term growth.

Final Insights
Your approach is a solid mix of safety and growth, reflecting thoughtful planning. The inclusion of RDs for short-term goals, gold for diversification, and mutual funds for long-term wealth creation provides balance. However, reconsidering NPS for your children and conventional insurance plans can optimize your strategy further.

Your commitment to Rs 40K in PF, PPF, and Rs 10K in your NPS ensures long-term stability. The additional Rs 70K per month is wisely planned for both low-risk and growth-oriented goals. Keep reviewing your strategy periodically to adjust to any changes in income, goals, or market conditions.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

Asked on - Oct 05, 2024 | Answered on Oct 05, 2024

Thank you sir for your detailed evaluation and explanation. Please suggest which are better child plans? Can I open mutual fund in my sons name or I have to open in my name and then transfer when they start earning? Does stopping conventional insurance plans in between have any monetory losses?

Ans: When it comes to investing for your child's future, mutual funds via Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) are often a far better option compared to traditional child plans like endowment or ULIPs. SIPs offer flexibility, higher growth potential, and liquidity. Here’s why SIPs in mutual funds stand out:

Higher Returns: Mutual funds, especially equity-based, have historically provided better returns than conventional child plans. Over a long horizon of 10-15 years, equity funds can outperform with compounded growth.

Flexibility: Unlike traditional insurance plans, SIPs in mutual funds give you the flexibility to change the amount, increase contributions, or even withdraw in times of need without penalties.

Liquidity: Mutual funds offer easy access to funds when needed for your child's education or other milestones. Traditional child plans usually lock your funds for longer durations.

Can You Open Mutual Funds in Your Son's Name?
Currently, you cannot open a mutual fund account directly in the name of a minor without appointing a guardian (usually the parent). The mutual fund account has to be in the name of the child, but under the supervision of the guardian (you).

Once your child turns 18 and starts earning, the account can be transferred to their name. Until then, you will manage the account, make decisions, and have control over withdrawals.

Process of Opening a Mutual Fund for Your Child
Open a Minor Account: You, as the guardian, can open a mutual fund account in your child's name. The KYC process will require both your and your child’s documents.

Transfer on Adulthood: When your child turns 18, the account can be transferred to their name, and they will take over managing the funds.

SIP in Your Name: Alternatively, you can start SIPs in your own name and later, when your child starts earning, transfer the corpus or investments to their name. However, capital gains tax might apply if you sell units for transfer, so consult a Certified Financial Planner before doing so.

Stopping Conventional Insurance Plans Midway: Monetary Losses
If you're considering stopping conventional insurance plans like endowment or ULIPs, it's important to understand the potential monetary consequences:

Surrender Charges: Traditional plans usually come with surrender charges if you discontinue the policy before the maturity period. These charges can reduce the amount you get back.

Low Returns on Early Surrender: These policies offer returns only when held till maturity. Stopping midway may result in lower payouts than the premiums paid, causing financial loss.

Bonus Forfeiture: Many traditional policies promise bonuses. If you stop the policy early, you may lose out on these accumulated bonuses.

What to Do Instead?
Rather than continuing with low-return child plans or insurance policies, you can:

Switch to Mutual Funds: Move towards SIPs in mutual funds, especially equity-based funds for long-term goals like education. These will offer higher returns over time.

Keep Insurance Separate: Always keep your insurance and investment goals separate. Continue with a term insurance plan for life coverage, and use mutual funds for wealth creation.

Final Thoughts
For your child’s future, SIPs in mutual funds are better than traditional child plans.
You can open a mutual fund in your child’s name, with you as the guardian, and later transfer it when they turn 18.

By choosing the right investment strategies, you can ensure a brighter financial future for your child.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

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