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Sanjeev

Sanjeev Govila  | Answer  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on Nov 25, 2023

Colonel Sanjeev Govila (retd) is the founder of Hum Fauji Initiatives, a financial planning company dedicated to the armed forces personnel and their families.
He has over 12 years of experience in financial planning and is a SEBI certified registered investment advisor; he is also accredited with AMFI and IRDA.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Nov 23, 2023Hindi
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I have a corpus of 1 cr invested in shares 10lakh, mf sip monthly (65k) for last 3 years amounting to 13lqkhs now, lump sum mf 44 lakhs , PPF 13 lakhs , nsc 5 lakhs , balance FD . I have 2 children daughter in 11 wants to pursue medical and son working now . How can I plan my retirement income . Single parent living in own house

Ans: Your investment portfolio is well diversified across various instruments, and we hope that your overall asset allocation aligns with your risk tolerance.

Please prepare a detailed goals sheet outlining your future financial requirements, such as education expenses for your daughter, funds for your children's marriages, and your retirement corpus.

For each goal, calculate the required amount considering inflation and the time horizon remaining for that goal. Based on your time horizon and risk profile, make investments that align with your risk tolerance.

To create your retirement corpus, determine the monthly amount required, including inflation, to cover your future expenses during your retirement years. After factoring in this amount, invest to generate the required rate of return to achieve your retirement goal on time.
Asked on - Jan 22, 2024 | Answered on Feb 06, 2024
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Sir further to this I am 53 years old Goal : daughter - medical expense starting fm the year 2025 Son - from 2025 higher studies - approx 35 lakhs Marriage - for son at 28 and daughter at 26 Retirement - looking for 70 k per month too How can I plan ? With the said corpus ?
Ans: Given your financial goals, it's advisable to allocate your existing corpus strategically. For your daughter's medical expenses & son’s higher education starting in 2025, consider investing in short-term funds or less risky instruments to ensure the funds are readily available.

For your son's marriage at 28 and your daughter's at 26, which have a longer time horizon, you can explore a mix of equity and debt instruments to potentially achieve higher returns. As far as retirement is concerned, we have assumed your life expectancy till 85 and an aggressive risk profile, you might need around Rs 2 crore at retirement (age 60). This considers a 6% inflation rate and 12% pre- and 10% post-retirement returns.

Right now, you have Rs 1 crore saved, split between equity (65) and debt (35). However, solely relying on these investments might not help you to achieve all your financial goals. You should consider increasing your investments in mutual funds to ensure a secure retirement. Also, slowly build up an emergency fund equal to 6 months of your expenses.

The response to your query is based on limited information and consulting a financial advisor is highly recommended. They can create a personalized plan considering your unique expenses, risk tolerance, and other goals.
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  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 10, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 19, 2024Hindi
Money
Sir , am 49 years old single parent. Kids aged 20 and 15. I have 75 Lakhs in mutual funds, 11 Lakhs in PPF, 10 Lakhs in FD, 30 Lakhs FD in kids name , 15 Lakhs in Senior citizen scheme on my mom's name, 6 Lakhs in LIC . How should I plan my retirement.
Ans: First of all, kudos to you for building a solid financial foundation despite being a single parent. It’s clear that you’ve put in a lot of effort to ensure your family’s financial security. Now, let's focus on planning your retirement effectively.

Current Financial Situation
Let’s summarize your current investments:

Mutual Funds: Rs 75 Lakhs
PPF: Rs 11 Lakhs
FD: Rs 10 Lakhs
FD in Kids’ Name: Rs 30 Lakhs
Senior Citizen Scheme (Mother’s Name): Rs 15 Lakhs
LIC: Rs 6 Lakhs
Setting Clear Retirement Goals
You are 49 years old, so you have roughly 11 years until the typical retirement age of 60. However, it’s important to consider your personal retirement timeline and desired lifestyle.

Importance of Diversification
Diversification is key to managing risk and optimizing returns. You’ve already diversified your investments across different asset classes, which is excellent.

Power of Compounding
Compounding is a powerful tool in wealth creation. The earlier you start and the longer you stay invested, the more your investments will grow.

Managing Existing Investments
Let’s analyze each of your current investments and their roles in your retirement plan.

Mutual Funds
You have Rs 75 Lakhs in mutual funds, which is a substantial amount. Mutual funds are excellent for long-term growth due to their exposure to equities.

Equity Funds: Ideal for long-term growth but come with higher risk.
Debt Funds: Provide stability and lower risk but offer lower returns.
Hybrid Funds: Balance between equity and debt, offering moderate risk and returns.
Recommendation
Continue investing in a mix of equity, debt, and hybrid funds to balance risk and return.

Public Provident Fund (PPF)
Your Rs 11 Lakhs in PPF is a safe investment offering tax benefits and guaranteed returns.

PPF: Suitable for long-term savings with a lock-in period and tax-free returns.
Recommendation
Continue investing in PPF for its tax benefits and stable returns. Maximize your annual contribution to take full advantage of its benefits.

Fixed Deposits (FD)
You have Rs 10 Lakhs in FD and Rs 30 Lakhs in kids’ names. FDs offer guaranteed returns but are not tax-efficient and have lower returns.

Recommendation
Consider gradually moving some FD investments into mutual funds or PPF for better returns and tax efficiency. Maintain some FDs for liquidity and safety.

Senior Citizen Scheme
The Rs 15 Lakhs in the Senior Citizen Scheme under your mother’s name offers safety and regular income but limited growth potential.

Recommendation
Continue with this investment for its regular income benefits, especially if it supports your mother’s financial needs.

LIC
You have Rs 6 Lakhs in LIC policies. LIC policies typically offer lower returns compared to mutual funds.

Recommendation
Evaluate the returns of your LIC policies. If they are underperforming, consider surrendering them and reinvesting the proceeds into mutual funds for better growth.

Strategic Financial Plan for Retirement
Now, let’s outline a strategic plan to ensure a comfortable retirement.

Step 1: Emergency Fund
Ensure you have an emergency fund that covers at least 6-12 months of your monthly expenses. This fund should be easily accessible and kept in a savings account or liquid mutual fund.

Step 2: Investing in Mutual Funds
Given your long-term horizon, focus on increasing your equity mutual fund investments for higher returns. Allocate a portion to debt funds for stability and hybrid funds for balanced growth.

Step 3: Maximizing PPF Contributions
Continue contributing the maximum allowable amount to your PPF account each year. This ensures tax-free, stable returns.

Step 4: Reviewing and Rebalancing Portfolio
Regularly review your investment portfolio. Rebalance it to ensure it aligns with your retirement goals and risk tolerance.

Step 5: Tax Planning
Optimize your investments for tax efficiency. Utilize tax-saving instruments like PPF, ELSS mutual funds, and other deductions available under Section 80C.

SIPs for Continued Growth
If you aren’t already, consider starting SIPs (Systematic Investment Plans) in mutual funds. SIPs bring discipline to your savings and take advantage of rupee cost averaging.

Benefits of SIPs
Discipline: Encourages regular saving.
Cost Averaging: Buys more units when prices are low and fewer units when prices are high.
Compounding: Maximizes returns over time through the power of compounding.
Evaluating Actively Managed Funds
Actively managed funds can offer better returns compared to index funds. These funds aim to outperform the market through expert stock selection.

Disadvantages of Index Funds
Lower Returns: Generally, index funds provide lower returns compared to actively managed funds.
Lack of Flexibility: They replicate a market index and cannot adjust to changing market conditions.
Benefits of Actively Managed Funds
Higher Returns: Aim to outperform the market through active stock selection.
Professional Management: Managed by experienced fund managers who can adapt to market changes.
Risk Management in Investments
Balancing risk and return is crucial. Diversify your investments across different asset classes and periodically review your portfolio.

Equity Funds: Higher returns but higher risk.
Debt Funds: Lower returns but lower risk.
Hybrid Funds: Balanced risk and returns.
Planning for Children’s Future
Though your primary focus is on retirement, planning for your children’s future is also important. Ensure their educational and other financial needs are covered.

Children’s Education Fund
Allocate a portion of your investments specifically for your children’s education. Equity mutual funds can be a good option for long-term goals.

Final Insights
You’ve done an excellent job in diversifying your investments and planning ahead. By focusing on maximizing returns through equity funds, maintaining a balanced portfolio, and optimizing for tax efficiency, you can ensure a comfortable retirement. Keep reviewing and adjusting your investments to stay aligned with your goals.

Your dedication to securing your family’s future is truly commendable. Continue making informed decisions to ensure a worry-free retirement.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 08, 2025

Money
Hello sir, I am a 42 year old, have a dependend wife and 10 yr old daughter (5 STD). I have a monthly income of 2.25 lakh in hand. Monthly expenses 70k. I have no debts and I am staying in my own flat. I invested 1 lakhs in equity stocks, 16 lakhs in MF lumpsum, 13 lakh in FD and 10 lakh in NSC. Till date my PF is 27 lacs. I pay 40,000 SIP monthly starting from 2023, pay PPF 1.5 lacs p.a.from 2022, pay NPS 1.3 lacs p.a from 2022 and pay SSY 1.5 lacs p.a.from 2020 and PPF for wife 1 lacs p.a from 2022 and PPF for daughter 50k p.a.from 2023. Family medical insurance of 10 lacs.. and myself term insurance of 50 lakhs and LIC of 10 lakhs. Also I purchased LIC Child Money back of 10 lacs and SBI smart chap 5 lacs for my daughter education. I want to plan my retirement at the age of 55. How should i plan my retirement 3 cr corpus??
Ans: Your financial situation is stable, with multiple investments and no liabilities.

Income: Rs. 2.25 lakh per month offers strong savings potential after expenses.

Expenses: Rs. 70,000 per month leaves ample room for investments.

Existing Investments: Equity stocks (Rs. 1 lakh), mutual funds (Rs. 16 lakh), FD (Rs. 13 lakh), NSC (Rs. 10 lakh), and PF (Rs. 27 lakh) form a diversified base.

Ongoing Commitments: SIP of Rs. 40,000, PPF contributions, and NPS add regular growth.

Insurance Coverage: Adequate health insurance (Rs. 10 lakh) and term insurance (Rs. 50 lakh).

Defining Your Retirement Goal
You aim for a Rs. 3 crore corpus by age 55. Consider inflation and lifestyle needs.

Inflation Impact: Rs. 3 crore today might not suffice in 13 years due to inflation.

Monthly Expenses: Rs. 70,000 now could double to Rs. 1.4 lakh due to 6% inflation.

Longevity Planning: Plan for a 30-year post-retirement period to ensure financial security.

Evaluating Current Investments
Equity Stocks: Rs. 1 lakh is a small allocation. Consider diversifying into mutual funds.

Mutual Funds: Rs. 16 lakh in lump sum and Rs. 40,000 SIP build growth over time.

Fixed Deposits: Rs. 13 lakh ensures safety but offers low returns.

National Savings Certificate (NSC): Rs. 10 lakh provides stability but lacks flexibility.

Provident Fund: Rs. 27 lakh builds wealth steadily, given your regular contributions.

PPF and NPS: Long-term instruments aligned with retirement goals.

SSY for Daughter: Rs. 1.5 lakh annually ensures her education expenses are planned.

Insurance Policies: LIC and child plans provide minimal returns; consider alternatives.

Key Recommendations for Retirement Planning
Optimising Investments
Increase SIP Amount: Gradually raise your SIP to benefit from compounding and market growth.

Focus on Equity Funds: Actively managed funds can generate higher returns compared to index funds.

Reduce FD Dependence: Move a portion of FDs into balanced mutual funds for better returns.

Exit Traditional Plans: Consider surrendering LIC and SBI child plans to reinvest in high-growth mutual funds.

Build Emergency Fund: Maintain 6–12 months' expenses in liquid funds or savings accounts.

Enhancing Retirement Corpus
Leverage NPS: Increase contributions to benefit from tax savings and market-linked returns.

Continue PPF Contributions: This offers tax benefits and secure, inflation-beating returns.

Diversify Equity Allocation: Explore mid- and small-cap funds for higher growth potential.

Tax Efficiency: Plan withdrawals carefully to minimise capital gains taxes.

Securing Post-Retirement Income
Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWP): Use SWPs for a steady, tax-efficient post-retirement income.

Debt Funds: Consider debt funds for predictable, stable returns during retirement.

Hybrid Mutual Funds: These balance growth and stability, suitable for retirement years.

Rebalance Regularly: Adjust equity and debt allocations annually as retirement nears.

Planning for Daughter’s Education
SSY Continuation: Ensure contributions continue till maturity for her education needs.

Mutual Funds for Education: Invest in diversified mutual funds for additional education corpus.

Avoid Traditional Plans: LIC and child policies may underperform compared to mutual funds.

Protecting Against Risks
Health Insurance: Increase family health coverage to at least Rs. 20 lakh to cover rising medical costs.

Term Insurance: Ensure term insurance coverage matches your family’s financial needs.

Inflation-Proofing: Allocate part of the retirement corpus to equity for inflation-adjusted growth.

Emergency Fund: Keep funds easily accessible for unexpected expenses.

Final Insights
Your financial foundation is strong, and your retirement goal is achievable with better planning. Focus on optimising investments, ensuring inflation-adjusted returns, and securing your family’s future. Regular reviews with a certified financial planner will ensure alignment with your goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 06, 2025Hindi
Money
Dear Sir/Ma'am, I need some guidance and advice for continuing my mutual fund investments. I am a 36 year old male, married, no kids yet and no debts/liabilities as such. I have couple of savings in PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and long term investing in direct stocks. I recently started below mentioned SIPs for long term to grow wealth. Request you to review the same and let me know if I should continue with the SIPs or need to rationalize. Kindly also advice on how to invest a lumpsum amount of around 6lacs. invesco small cap 2000 motilal oswal midcap 2700 parag parikh flexicap 3000 HDFC flexicap 3100 ICICI prudential largecap 3100 HDFC large and midcap 3100 HDFC gold etf FOF 2000 ICICI Pru equity and debt fund 3000 HDFC balanced advantage fund 3000 nippon india silver etf FOF 2000
Ans: You already built a solid foundation. Many investors delay planning. But you started early at 36. That gives you a strong advantage. You have no liabilities. You have long term thinking. You also have diversified savings like PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and direct stocks. That shows clarity and discipline. This approach builds wealth with less stress over time.

You also started systematic investments in equity funds. That is a positive step. Your selection covers multiple categories like large cap, mid cap, small cap, flexi cap, hybrid and precious metals. So the intent is right. You are trying to create a broad portfolio. That gives balance.

» Your Portfolio Composition Understanding
Your current SIP list includes:

Small cap

Mid cap

Flexi cap

Large cap

Large and mid cap

Hybrid category

Gold and Silver FoF

Equity and Debt allocation fund

Dynamic hybrid fund

This shows you are trying to cover many segments. But too many categories can create overlap. When there is overlap, you get confusion during review. It also makes portfolio discipline difficult. You may think you are diversified. But the holdings inside may repeat. That reduces efficiency.

Your portfolio now looks like:

Equity dominant

Hybrid for stability

Metals for hedge

So the broad direction is fine. But simplifying helps in long-term habit building.

» Fund Category Duplication
You hold:

Two flexi cap funds

One large and mid cap fund

One pure large cap fund

One mid cap fund

One small cap fund

Flexi cap funds already invest across large, mid, small. Then large and mid also overlaps. So the large cap exposure gets repeated. That may not add extra benefit. But it increases monitoring complexity.

So I suggest rationalising. Keep one fund per category in core. Keep satellite space for only high conviction.

» Core and Satellite Strategy
A structured portfolio follows core and satellite method.

Core portfolio should be:

Simple

Long term

Stable

Satellite portfolio can be:

High growth

Concentrated

Based on your thinking level, you can structure like this:

Core funds:

One large cap

One flexi cap

One hybrid equity and debt fund

One balanced advantage type fund

Satellite funds:

One mid cap

One small cap

One metal allocation if needed

This division gives clarity. You can continue SIPs with review every year. No need to stop and restart often. That reduces behavioural mistakes.

» Your Current SIP List Review with Suggested Streamlining

You can consider continuing:

One flexi cap

One large cap

One mid cap

One small cap

One balanced advantage

One equity and debt hybrid

You may reconsider keeping both flexi caps and both gold silver funds. One of each category is enough. Because too many funds do not increase returns. It complicates tracking.

Precious metal funds should not be more than 5 to 7 percent in your portfolio. This is because metals are hedge assets. They do not create compounding like equity. They act as protection during cycles. So keep them small.

» How to Use the Rs 6 Lakh Lump Sum
You asked about lump sum investing. This is important. Lump sum should not go fully into equity at one time. Markets move in cycles. So use a staggered method. You can invest the lump sum through STP (Systematic Transfer Plan). You can keep the amount in a liquid fund and set STP toward your chosen growth funds over 6 to 12 months.

This reduces timing risk. It also creates discipline. So your Rs 6 lakh can be deployed gradually. You may use 50% towards core equity funds and 30% toward satellite growth category. The remaining 20% can go into hybrid category. This gives balance and comfort.

» Regular Funds Over Direct Funds
One important point many investors miss. Direct funds look cheaper. But they demand deep knowledge, discipline, and behaviour control. Most investors lose more through emotional selling and wrong timing than they save on expense ratio.

With regular funds through a Mutual Fund Distributor with Certified Financial Planner qualification, you get guidance, structure and correction. The advisory discipline protects you during market extremes. That is more valuable than a small saving in expense ratio.

A personalised planner also tracks portfolio drift, rebalancing need and category shifts. So regular fund investing gives long-term benefit and behaviour coaching.

» Actively Managed Funds over Index or ETF
Some investors choose index funds or ETF thinking they are simple and cheap. But they ignore drawbacks.

Index funds or ETF will not avoid weak companies in the index. They will invest whether the company grows or struggles. There is no fund manager decision making. So when markets are at peak, index funds continue aggressive exposure. In downturns also they fall fully. There is no cushion.

Actively managed funds work with research teams. They can avoid bad sectors. They can shift allocation based on market and economy. Over long term, this gives better alpha and stability. So continuing with actively managed funds creates better wealth compounding.

» SIP Continuation Strategy
Once the rationalisation is done, continue SIPs every month without interruption. Pause and restart behaviour damages compounding power. SIP works best when you go through all market cycles. You benefit more during corrections because cost averaging works.

So continue SIP amount. You can also review SIP increase every year based on income. Increasing SIP by 10 to 15 percent every year helps you reach large corpus faster.

» Asset Allocation Based Approach
One key point in wealth creation is having the right asset mix. Equity gives growth. Hybrid gives balance. Metals give hedge. Debt gives safety. Your asset allocation should stay aligned to your risk profile and time horizon.

Since you are young and have long term horizon, higher equity allocation is fine. But as time moves, rebalancing is important. Rebalancing protects gains and restores allocation.

So review your asset allocation every year or during major life events like child birth, home buying or retirement planning.

» Behaviour Management
Many portfolios fail not due to bad funds. They fail due to bad decisions. Selling during correction. Stopping SIP when market falls. Chasing past return performance. These mistakes reduce wealth.

Your discipline so far is good. Continue to stay patient during volatility. Equity rewards patience and time.

» Financial Goals Clarity
Since you have no children now, you can decide your long-term goals. Typical goals may include:

Retirement

Future child education

Dream lifestyle purchase

Health care reserves

When goals are clear, investment purpose becomes stronger. So you can map each fund category to goal horizon. Short-term goals should not use equity. Long-term goals should use equity with hybrid support.

» Role of Review and Monitoring
Review once in a year is enough. Frequent review can create anxiety. Annual review helps check:

Fund performance

Expense drift

Category relevance

Allocation balance

Then adjust only if needed. This progress helps you stay confident and aligned.

» Taxation Awareness
Equity mutual funds taxation rules are:

Short term (below one year holding) taxable at 20 percent

Long term (above one year holding) gains above Rs 1.25 lakh taxable at 12.5 percent

Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income slab.

So always hold equity funds for long term. That reduces tax impact and gives better growth.

» SIP Increase Plan
You can create a simple plan to increase SIP over time. For example:

Increase SIP at every salary increment

Increase SIP during bonus time

Use rewards or extra income for investing

This habit accelerates wealth. So by the time you reach 45 to 50 years, your investments could reach a strong level.

» Insurance and Protection
Before investing large, ensure you have term insurance and health insurance. If not already done, it is important. Insurance protects wealth. Without insurance, even a small medical event can impact investment plan. So review this part also. Since you are married, cover both.

» Wealth Behaviour Mindset
You are already disciplined. Just keep these simple principles:

Invest without stopping

Review once a year

Avoid funds overlap

Follow asset allocation

Avoid reacting to media noise

This helps you reach long term milestones.

» Finally
You are on the right track. Only fine tuning and simplification is needed. Your discipline is visible. Your portfolio will grow well with structure, patience and periodic review. Use the Rs 6 lakh with STP approach. And continue SIP with rationalised categories.

With time and consistency, wealth creation becomes effortless and peaceful. You just need to stay committed and avoid overthinking during market movements.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1837 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 05, 2025

Career
Dear Sir, I did my BTech from a normal engineering college not very famous. The teaching was not great and hence i did not study well. I tried my best to learn coding including all the technologies like html,css,javascript,react js,dba,php because i wanted to be a web developer But nothing seem to enter my head except html and css. I don't understand a language which has more complexities. Is it because of my lack of experience or not devoting enough time. I am not sure. I did many courses online and tried to do diplomas also abroad which i passed somehow. I recently joined android development course because i like apps but the teaching was so fast that i could not memorize anything. There was no time to even take notes down. During the course i did assignments and understood the code because i have to pass but after the course is over i tend to forget everything. I attempted a lot of interviews. Some of them i even got but could not perform well so they let me go. Now due to the AI booming and job markets in a bad shape i am re-thinking whether to keep studying or whether its just time waste. Since 3 years i am doing labour type of jobs which does not yield anything to me for survival and to pay my expenses. I have the quest to learn everything but as soon as i sit in front of the computer i listen to music or read something else. What should i do to stay more focused? What should i do to make myself believe confident. Is there still scope of IT in todays world? Kindly advise.
Ans: Your story does not show failure.
It shows persistence, effort, and desire to improve.

Most people give up.
You didn’t.
That means you will succeed — but with the right method, not the old one.

...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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