Hi Dev, We are 43 y/o couple without kids, and plan to retire by 55. I want to aggressively invest for our retirement. I earn 4.5L p/m and our expenses are 75K. We have 9L in shares, 10L in Gold Bonds, 20L in corporate FDs, 40L in EPF, a paidup house and 10L in NPS. We have 1.2Cr in bank account earning 7% interest. Can you help us invest better, we can aggressively invest aroud 2L, which MF should we further invest in to comfortably retire?

Ans: Hello Sir

Suggest you undertake Psychometric tests for your kids that will give an insight into the field that they are more suited for. Also suggest you talk to them and understand their area of interest. Kindly focus on getting them good education which are aligned to their area of interest.

All the best.

Ans: Hello

Not to disappoint you but yes getting a job in the basis of BA degree is not that easy... suggest you explore teaching opportunities and for that undertake necessary post graduate course like MA and B.Ed.

All the best.

Ans: Hello

Suggest you explore freelancing opportunities in the area of your experience and expertise...what you have been doing so far.

All the best.

Ans: Hi!!
Syed, you are asking me what to do, here are my suggestions-
1. have clear goals with respect to your job
2. you have listed so may reasons for not taking up a job, now find a few reasons to take a job - your self respect, your own money to spend are some I can think of
3. it's very easy to quit a job, find reasons to stay
4. invest in your physical and mental well being, a clam and collected mind will take better decisions
5. I really won't say slow growth in an organisation, if I had finished engineering in 2021 and it is middle of 2024 now
6. preparing for Govt Jobs is a good idea, look into doing this thing well if you are really serious about it
7. give your 100% in everything you do Syed!! Let there be energy, enthusiasm and excitement in your search for a job, it's your life, take charge of it and see how you want it to unfold. Do all that which is in your control
8.you get fed up when you don't see progress and not celebrate your wins however small they may be! Every step you take towards your goal, pat yourself on the back, be your greatest cheer leader
9.do not compare yourself with others, compare only if you feel inspired
10. focus on your well being and happiness
11. take up a job and do well there, it is better to do a job than to sit idle or
12. look to upskill in an area you want to work, look for job oriented courses
13. seek help if need be

All the very best!!

Ans: Hi!!
Congratulations on taking a break because you felt exhausted and recognised a need for a break! You prioritized your well being, good. Not many have the courage to do this and the support system that allows them to do this. Count your blessings!!

I am splitting my answer into two parts..

Part A: Ask yourself - "why did this burnout happen?", write them down, analyse and ensure it doesn't happen again.

Part B: Tell yourself - "1 and a 1/2 years break is a very small gap in a lifetime". I would have loved to know how you utilized and spent this 1 and a half years. This is for everyone who is taking a break, take a break but use your time wisely to learn a skill, volunteer, travel... it has to be action oriented and not just sleeping and wasting your time, do all those things that you could not do because of your job! When on a break focus on your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual areas of your life. Let the blossom.

If you want to stick to IT industry then keep looking, you'll find what you want. Ask for help from seniors and people you know to get you back into the job market. Ask and don't be afraid of hearing a NO, don't take a "no" personally. Ask and you shall seek. Meanwhile keep learning skills to up your prospects in whatever areas you want to work.

All the best!!

Ans: Dear Marina,

You want a change of job, then you will get one. Just keep your eyes and ears open for the kind of job you are looking for. Success comes to those who are consistent in their efforts. Keep looking with a positive attitude, the key is to keep up your spirits and hope even when you hear a NO. Trust yourself and trust the universe to give you what you want. Start writing and visualizing the job you want before you go to sleep everyday.

All the best..

Ans: Dear Venkatesh!

I can totally understand you predicament. You made choices about ICICI and your NBFC reputed firm. Don't look back at all and don't beat yourself about the choice you made. I am sure you made an informed choice weighing all pros and cons. This is life happening ... RBI ban and all that...it is not because of you and it not under your control. How you respond to the challenge and emerge a winner is all that you have to see. You are a loyal employee so you informed before quitting and they didn't want you to leave because they valued you. It was a WIN-WIN for both of you. It's time to weigh your pros and cons again and take an informed decision and create a WIN WIN. I wish your company gives you all a clear picture and be open about your future, it's the worst situation when a company keeps their employees hanging like this. See if you can talk to a senior(or people)you can trust and ask him clearly what to do! Take opinions from people around and make an informed choice. Meanwhile, you create your goals for the future- your financial goals, family goals , goals in all areas of your life and see whether your goals will be met by sticking to the company or looking for a job elsewhere. The way you say ICICI approached you and then your company tried to retain you, you are a man with great potential and integrity. This time around look for solutions that suit you , your goals and your family!!
All the very best!!

Ans: Yes, in most cases, your NRI son can run the SIPs in his name if you die. Here's how it typically works:

Nominee Inheritance: Since you've nominated your son, upon your death, he will be the legal heir to the SIP units.
Account Transfer: Your son will need to contact the Asset Management Company (AMC) managing the SIPs with the necessary documents proving his nominee status (death certificate, nominee form etc.). The AMC will then initiate the process of transferring the SIP accounts to your son's name.
Points to Consider:

Account Type: The process might differ slightly depending on whether the SIP account is held jointly or singly.
Tax Implications: There might be some tax implications depending on the type of SIP (equity or debt) and the country of residence of your son. It's advisable for your son to consult a tax advisor in his country of residence for any potential tax liabilities.
Here are some recommendations:

Contact AMC: Get in touch with the AMC managing your SIPs for their specific nominee inheritance and account transfer procedures. They can provide the most up-to-date information.
NRI Regulations: Advise your son to familiarize himself with any regulations specific to NRIs inheriting financial assets in India.
By following these steps, your son should be able to claim and manage the SIPs smoothly after your passing.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

Ans: Firstly, let me commend you on your diligent efforts towards planning for your retirement. It's essential to evaluate your current financial position and assess if your savings and investments align with your retirement goals.

Evaluating Existing Retirement Corpus
NPS and Mutual Funds
Your NPS corpus of Rs. 1 crore and MF investments of Rs. 25 lakhs signify a significant portion of your retirement savings.
It's commendable that you've been consistently investing through SIPs over the past decade, demonstrating discipline and foresight.
Monthly Contributions
Your current SIP of Rs. 45,000 and NPS Tier 1 contribution of Rs. 67,000 per month reflect a substantial commitment towards retirement planning.
Regular contributions over an extended period can potentially lead to significant wealth accumulation over time.
Analyzing Retirement Adequacy
Consideration of Retirement Expenses
To determine if your savings and investments are sufficient for retirement, it's crucial to estimate your post-retirement expenses.
Consider factors such as living expenses, healthcare costs, inflation, and any additional financial commitments.
Retirement Income Sources
Apart from your NPS and MF investments, assess other potential sources of retirement income, such as pension benefits, annuities, rental income, or passive income streams.
Diversifying income sources can provide stability and resilience during retirement.
Conducting a Retirement Gap Analysis
Retirement Corpus Estimation
Estimate the corpus required to sustain your desired lifestyle and meet financial goals during retirement.
Consider factors like inflation, life expectancy, healthcare expenses, and any outstanding liabilities.
Assessing Shortfall or Surplus
Compare your estimated retirement corpus requirement with your existing savings and investments.
Identify any shortfall or surplus to determine if adjustments are necessary in your savings strategy.
Recommendations for Retirement Planning
Review and Adjust Strategy
Regularly review your retirement plan and make adjustments based on changing circumstances, financial goals, and market conditions.
Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) for personalized advice tailored to your specific needs and objectives.
Explore Additional Retirement Avenues
Explore opportunities to enhance your retirement savings, such as voluntary contributions to NPS, tax-saving investments, or retirement-oriented mutual funds.
Ensure a diversified portfolio mix aligned with your risk tolerance and investment horizon.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while your current savings and investments demonstrate a proactive approach towards retirement planning, it's essential to conduct a comprehensive analysis to ensure adequacy. Regular monitoring, prudent asset allocation, and strategic adjustments can help you achieve your retirement objectives with confidence.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in