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Ramalingam Kalirajan |7911 Answers |Ask -Follow

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jun 23, 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 Malik on Jun 23, 2024Hindi

Hi sir very good evening. I am 65 yrs old ,wife 55 yrs old no any liability and required approx 1 lakhs pm to survive, can you please suggest me how much money required to invest in mutual funds to get approx 1 lakhs P. Month to survive. And can you please suggest me the name of mutual funds also . I shall be highly grateful to you. Thanks

Ans: It's heartening to see you planning for a comfortable and secure retirement. Let’s delve into how you can generate Rs 1 lakh per month through mutual fund investments. Ensuring a stable income post-retirement is crucial, and with the right strategy, you can achieve this goal.

Understanding Your Financial Needs
At 65 years old, you and your wife require a consistent monthly income of Rs 1 lakh to maintain your lifestyle. To achieve this, we need to consider a few key factors:

Investment Horizon: Since you are already retired, we focus on generating regular income.
Risk Appetite: As retirees, a conservative to moderate risk approach is advisable.
Inflation: We must account for inflation to ensure your purchasing power remains intact.
Evaluating Your Current Situation
Assuming you have a lump sum to invest, our goal is to create a portfolio that generates Rs 1 lakh monthly. This translates to Rs 12 lakhs annually.

Income Generation Through Mutual Funds
Mutual funds can provide regular income through Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWPs). SWPs allow you to withdraw a fixed amount monthly while your principal continues to grow. Here’s a detailed approach:

Debt Mutual Funds:
Debt funds are stable and provide regular income with low risk. They invest in fixed income securities like government bonds, corporate bonds, and money market instruments.

Equity Mutual Funds:
While more volatile, equity funds offer higher returns. A small portion of your portfolio in equity can help combat inflation.

Hybrid Mutual Funds:
Hybrid funds balance equity and debt, providing stability and growth. They are suitable for moderate risk appetites.

Portfolio Allocation Strategy
To generate Rs 1 lakh per month, we need to estimate the corpus required. Assuming an average annual return of 8%, let’s allocate your investments:

Debt Funds: 60%
Equity Funds: 20%
Hybrid Funds: 20%
Benefits of Actively Managed Funds Over Index Funds
Actively Managed Funds:

Professional Management: Experts manage these funds, making strategic decisions.
Potential for Higher Returns: Active managers aim to outperform the market.
Flexibility: They can adapt to market changes and opportunities.
Disadvantages of Index Funds:

Passive Management: Simply replicate an index, with no strategic adjustments.
Market Dependency: Perform strictly in line with the market, offering no downside protection.
Limited Flexibility: No room for managers to capitalize on market inefficiencies.
Disadvantages of Direct Funds and Advantages of Regular Funds
Direct Funds:

No Professional Guidance: You miss out on expert advice.
DIY Approach: Requires extensive personal research and time investment.
Higher Risk of Poor Decisions: Without professional advice, there's a higher risk of suboptimal choices.
Regular Funds:

Expert Advice: Certified Financial Planners provide tailored advice.
Ongoing Portfolio Management: Regular monitoring and rebalancing.
Stress-free Investing: Less personal effort in managing investments.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP)
SWP allows you to withdraw a fixed amount monthly from your mutual fund investments. This provides regular income while your remaining investment continues to grow. Here’s how to implement an SWP:

Select Suitable Funds:
Choose funds based on your risk profile and income needs.

Determine Withdrawal Amount:
Set the monthly withdrawal amount (Rs 1 lakh in your case).

Start SWP:
Initiate SWP to start receiving regular monthly income.

Estimating the Required Corpus
To generate Rs 1 lakh per month, we estimate the required corpus assuming an 8% annual return. The corpus needed for Rs 12 lakhs annual withdrawal (1 lakh per month) can be approximated by considering both returns and principal depletion over time.

Building Your Portfolio
Debt Funds:
Invest 60% in high-quality debt funds for stable income.

Equity Funds:
Allocate 20% to equity funds for growth and inflation protection.

Hybrid Funds:
Allocate 20% to hybrid funds for a balanced approach.

Tax Efficiency and Savings
Consider the tax implications of your withdrawals. Long-term capital gains from equity funds are taxed at a lower rate. Debt funds, held for over three years, also benefit from indexation, reducing tax liability.

Regular Review and Rebalancing
Regularly review your portfolio with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to ensure it aligns with your income needs and market conditions. Rebalancing may be necessary to maintain your desired asset allocation.

Importance of Professional Guidance
Engaging a CFP provides several advantages:

Tailored Advice: Aligns investments with your specific goals and risk tolerance.
Portfolio Management: Professional management and rebalancing.
Stress-free Investing: Less personal effort required in managing investments.
Adjusting Investment Strategy
As market conditions change, your investment strategy may need adjustments. A CFP can help navigate these changes and ensure your portfolio remains on track to meet your income needs.

Final Insights
To summarize:

Diversified Portfolio: Allocate investments across debt, equity, and hybrid funds.
SWP for Regular Income: Use SWP to generate Rs 1 lakh monthly.
Professional Guidance: Engage a CFP for tailored advice and portfolio management.
Regular Review: Monitor and rebalance your portfolio regularly.
Tax Efficiency: Consider tax implications to maximize your returns.
By following this structured approach, you can ensure a steady monthly income of Rs 1 lakh while preserving and growing your capital. Stay committed to regular reviews and adjustments to maintain financial stability and comfort in your retirement years.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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.