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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10017 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 20, 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
Malik Question by Malik on Apr 30, 2024Hindi
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Sir very good evening. Can you please suggest few names of funds for doing swp and sir minimum how much funds is required to deposit to avail every month one lakh pls explain briefly as i don't have knowledge about this, i shall be highly obliged to you. Regards

Ans: A Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) allows you to withdraw a fixed amount from your mutual fund investments regularly. It provides a steady income stream while keeping your capital invested and potentially growing.

Benefits of SWP
Regular Income: SWP gives you a predictable monthly income, which is useful for meeting regular expenses.

Tax Efficiency: Only the gains portion of each withdrawal is taxed, making SWP more tax-efficient compared to other withdrawal methods.

Flexibility: You can choose the withdrawal frequency (monthly, quarterly, etc.) and adjust the amount as per your needs.

Estimating the Required Investment
To determine the amount needed to receive ?1 lakh per month through SWP, we need to consider the expected return on investment. For simplicity, let’s assume an average annual return of 8%.

Calculation Example
Annual Withdrawal: ?1 lakh per month equals ?12 lakh per year.

Expected Return: With an assumed return of 8%, we need to estimate the corpus.

Required Corpus: Using the formula for SWP, the required corpus can be approximated as ?1.5 crore. This ensures the withdrawals and returns balance over time.

Professional Advice
I recommend consulting a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to get a precise calculation tailored to your financial situation.

Suggested Funds for SWP
When choosing funds for SWP, consider stability, performance, and track record. Here are some fund types to consider:

Balanced Funds
Balanced funds invest in both equities and debt instruments, providing a mix of growth and stability. They are suitable for generating regular income with moderate risk.

Debt Funds
Debt funds invest in fixed-income securities like bonds and government securities. They offer lower risk and steady returns, making them ideal for conservative investors seeking regular income.

Hybrid Funds
Hybrid funds combine equity and debt investments. They offer the potential for higher returns compared to pure debt funds while maintaining lower volatility than equity funds.

Implementing SWP
Steps to Set Up SWP
Choose the Right Funds: Select funds that match your risk tolerance and income needs.

Invest the Corpus: Invest the required amount (e.g., ?1.5 crore) in the selected funds.

Set Up SWP: Contact your mutual fund distributor (MFD) or the fund house to set up the SWP. Specify the withdrawal amount (?1 lakh) and frequency (monthly).

Monitoring and Adjusting
Regularly review your investments and SWP plan. Adjust the withdrawal amount or switch funds if needed to ensure sustainability and meet your income needs.

Advantages of Actively Managed Funds
Professional Management: Actively managed funds benefit from the expertise of fund managers who make strategic decisions to maximize returns.

Market Adaptability: These funds can adapt to changing market conditions, potentially leading to better performance compared to passive index funds.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds
Higher Effort: Direct funds require you to manage your investments, which can be time-consuming and complex.

Professional Guidance: Investing through an MFD with CFP credentials ensures you receive professional advice and management tailored to your goals.

Conclusion
Implementing an SWP can provide you with a steady income of ?1 lakh per month. Choose balanced, debt, or hybrid funds based on your risk tolerance. Consult a CFP to ensure your investment strategy aligns with your financial goals. Regular monitoring and adjustments will keep your plan on track.

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.
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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10017 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 23, 2024

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Hello Sir If I wish to have monthly income of Rs 30000 through Swp what should be the corpus I need to have and which fund will be better?
Ans: A Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) allows you to withdraw a fixed amount at regular intervals from your investments. This is a good option for generating a steady income.

Assessing Your Needs
To generate Rs 30,000 monthly, we need to determine the corpus required. This depends on the rate of return of the investment and the duration of withdrawals.

Estimating the Corpus
Rate of Return: Assuming an annual return of 8% from mutual funds.

Withdrawal Duration: Let's assume you need this income for the next 20 years.

Corpus Calculation: You will need approximately Rs 45-50 lakhs. This is a rough estimate. A Certified Financial Planner can provide precise calculations.

Choosing the Right Fund
Actively Managed Funds: These funds are managed by professional fund managers. They aim to outperform the market, providing potentially higher returns.

Benefits of Actively Managed Funds:

Professional Management: Fund managers make informed decisions.
Flexibility: They can adjust portfolios based on market conditions.
Higher Returns: Potential to outperform index funds.
Why Avoid Index Funds
No Active Management: Index funds simply track a market index. They do not aim to outperform the market.

Lower Flexibility: They cannot adjust portfolios based on market conditions.

Potentially Lower Returns: Actively managed funds have the potential to provide higher returns.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds
No Guidance: Investing in direct funds means you do not have access to professional advice.

Complexity: Managing investments without expert guidance can be challenging.

Regular Funds Advantage: Investing through a Certified Financial Planner ensures you get professional advice, helping you make informed decisions.

Recommendations
Diversified Equity Funds: These funds invest in a mix of sectors, reducing risk while aiming for high returns.

Hybrid Funds: These invest in both equity and debt, providing a balance of risk and return.

Final Insights
Build a Sufficient Corpus: Aim for a corpus of around Rs 45-50 lakhs for a Rs 30,000 monthly SWP.

Opt for Actively Managed Funds: These can provide potentially higher returns and are managed by professionals.

Seek Professional Guidance: Investing through a Certified Financial Planner can help you make informed decisions and optimize your returns.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10017 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Oct 21, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Oct 19, 2024Hindi
Money
Hi Sir, I am 41 years. I have 50 lakhs cash, i want to do swp this amount to get 70k monthly from march 2025. Could you please suggest me how to proceed in this case?.. Thanks
Ans: You are looking for a solution to generate Rs 70,000 monthly using a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) from Rs 50 lakhs starting in March 2025. Let's explore a few options that will balance regular income needs with potential growth, all within a safe risk framework. Since you have around 5 months until March 2025, it’s important to plan now.

Below is a comprehensive analysis that will help you achieve your goals.

Understanding Your Objective
You have Rs 50 lakhs to invest.

You need Rs 70,000 monthly starting March 2025.

You are 41 years old, which means you have a long financial horizon and can afford a mix of growth and safety.

Medium risk tolerance.

To ensure the monthly withdrawal of Rs 70,000 doesn’t deplete your capital too quickly, a balanced approach is required. Let's consider mutual fund options suited for a medium-risk profile.

Why a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP)?
SWP allows you to withdraw a fixed amount every month while the rest of your investment continues to grow.

This approach avoids keeping the entire amount in a low-interest product like an FD, where inflation will erode the real value.

With SWP, you also get tax efficiency. Your withdrawals are partially treated as capital gains and partially as a return of capital, reducing the tax burden.

Importance of Asset Allocation
Asset allocation is critical to meeting your monthly income needs without depleting your corpus. In your case, you need:

Regular income to start in March 2025.

Growth potential to ensure the capital lasts long-term.

Here’s how you can structure your allocation:

Equity-Oriented Hybrid Funds (60% allocation): These funds provide a mix of equity and debt exposure. They offer the potential for higher returns while keeping risk in check. Equity exposure ensures long-term growth, while the debt portion provides stability.

Debt-Oriented Hybrid Funds (40% allocation): These funds have a higher debt exposure but still provide some equity exposure for growth. The debt portion ensures regular returns and reduces volatility.

This mix gives you both stability and growth to meet your withdrawal goals.

How to Invest
Step 1: Invest the Lump Sum
Since you need to start the SWP in March 2025, the first thing to do is invest the Rs 50 lakhs. You can split this across equity-oriented and debt-oriented hybrid funds. The reason for hybrid funds is that they are less volatile than pure equity funds but still offer growth potential.

Split the Rs 50 lakhs as:

Rs 30 lakhs in equity-oriented hybrid funds.

Rs 20 lakhs in debt-oriented hybrid funds.

The idea is to get the best of both worlds — growth from equity and stability from debt.

Step 2: Set Up the SWP
By the time you start the SWP in March 2025, your investment will have had a few months to generate some growth. The returns from these funds should help in providing your desired monthly withdrawal without depleting the capital too fast.

You can set up an SWP for Rs 70,000 per month. It’s important to keep an eye on the performance of the funds and adjust your withdrawals if necessary. If the markets are down, withdrawing less can help preserve your capital.

Tax Considerations
It is crucial to be aware of the tax implications of SWP withdrawals.

For Equity Funds: If you hold the funds for more than 12 months, the gains are classified as long-term capital gains (LTCG). Currently, LTCG is taxed at 12.5% on gains exceeding Rs 1.25 lakhs per year. Short-term capital gains (STCG) are taxed at 20%.

For Debt Funds: Any gains made after 3 years are considered long-term and taxed at your income slab. Short-term gains are taxed according to your income tax slab as well.

Since SWP withdrawals are treated as a combination of capital gains and return of principal, the tax impact is usually lower than regular income.

Benefits of Actively Managed Mutual Funds
Actively managed mutual funds can be a better option than index funds or direct funds. Here’s why:

Flexibility: Actively managed funds allow fund managers to change the asset allocation based on market conditions. This means they can reduce risk or enhance growth as needed.

Better Performance: Over time, actively managed funds can outperform index funds, especially in a medium-risk scenario like yours, where the objective is to preserve capital while generating regular income.

Professional Management: Having a Certified Financial Planner managing your funds means you benefit from expert knowledge, which can help in maximizing returns and minimizing risks.

Avoid direct funds, as they do not offer the same personalized support that investing through a CFP-certified MFD offers. This support is crucial when dealing with market fluctuations and planning SWP withdrawals.

Keeping Inflation in Mind
Inflation is a key consideration for a medium to long-term withdrawal plan. A monthly withdrawal of Rs 70,000 in 2025 might not hold the same value after 10 or 15 years due to inflation.

You need to regularly review your withdrawals and possibly increase them every few years to keep pace with inflation. This is where actively managed funds help, as they offer growth potential to combat inflation. You can set up a periodic review with your Certified Financial Planner to adjust your SWP as needed.

Regular Monitoring and Review
Once your SWP starts, regular monitoring of the portfolio is essential. Market conditions, fund performance, and your changing needs must all be taken into account. By working with a Certified Financial Planner, you can ensure that your SWP continues to meet your needs without depleting your capital too quickly.

Set up a 6-monthly or annual review of your investment to check the performance.

Adjust the SWP amount based on the market and personal requirements.

Stay flexible. You can reduce withdrawals if the market is down and increase when it's favorable.

Alternatives if SWP Alone Isn’t Sufficient
If you feel that an SWP alone won’t meet your future financial needs, consider the following options:

Increase the Corpus: Adding to your Rs 50 lakh corpus over time will give you more flexibility and safety. You can invest additional amounts in the same funds and set up a larger SWP in the future.

Dividend Payouts: Some hybrid funds also offer dividend payout options. These dividends can supplement your SWP withdrawals, ensuring you meet the Rs 70,000 target each month.

However, dividends are now taxed as per your income tax slab, so SWP is generally a more tax-efficient option.

Preparing for Market Downturns
Since hybrid funds have exposure to equity, there will be some market volatility. It’s important to mentally prepare for market downturns. Here are a few tips:

Do not panic if the market drops temporarily.

Avoid selling the funds prematurely unless necessary.

Keep a buffer of 3-6 months’ worth of expenses in a safer investment like a liquid fund. This will ensure you do not need to withdraw during market corrections.

Having a buffer also gives your investment time to recover if there’s a short-term dip.

Final Insights
Generating Rs 70,000 per month from Rs 50 lakhs is possible with the right strategy. Using an SWP from a combination of equity and debt-oriented hybrid funds can help you achieve your goal while preserving your capital.

It’s important to stay patient, review your investment regularly, and make adjustments as needed. With active fund management and a Certified Financial Planner guiding you, you will have a clear path to generating a reliable monthly income.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10017 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 30, 2025

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Please share 4 funds for SWP. I want to invest 50 lakhs
Ans: I will guide you on the types of funds suitable for an SWP (Systematic Withdrawal Plan). You can consult a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or an MFD with CFP credentials to select the best schemes based on your risk profile.

SWP Investment Strategy for Rs. 50 Lakhs
A balanced approach is essential for stable income and capital preservation. Here’s how you can allocate Rs. 50 lakhs:

1. Conservative Hybrid Fund (Rs. 15 Lakhs - 30%)
Ideal for low volatility with stable returns.
Invests majorly in debt and a small portion in equity.
Provides steady growth and moderate withdrawals.
2. Multi-Asset Fund (Rs. 10 Lakhs - 20%)
Diversifies across equity, debt, and gold.
Reduces overall risk and ensures consistent income.
Acts as a balanced strategy for both income and capital protection.
3. Equity-Oriented Balanced Advantage Fund (Rs. 15 Lakhs - 30%)
Adjusts allocation between equity and debt based on market conditions.
Offers growth potential along with lower downside risk.
Can generate higher long-term returns compared to pure debt funds.
4. Short-Term Debt Fund (Rs. 10 Lakhs - 20%)
Ensures capital protection with stable returns.
Suitable for emergency funds and short-term needs.
Reduces overall portfolio risk while maintaining liquidity.
Expected Monthly Withdrawal (Rs. 40,000 – 50,000)
You can withdraw 5-6% annually via SWP.
The remaining investment keeps growing.
This ensures inflation-adjusted income over time.
Additional Tips
Keep 3-6 months of expenses in a liquid fund for emergencies.
Review fund performance and withdrawal strategy every year.
Consult an MFD with CFP credentials for scheme selection.
Would you like me to refine the allocation further based on your risk profile?

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Janak

Janak Patel  |63 Answers  |Ask -

MF, PF Expert - Answered on Jul 31, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 28, 2025Hindi
Money
I am 45yr old and my take home salary is 1.75L. I have 30L investment in mutual fund and 50L investment in stock market. My monthly SIP in MF is 50K. I am also planning to buy a property valued 1CR. I am planning to pay 40% of the amount using my PF withdrawal and rest of the amount I am planning to take bank loan and pay EMI monthly. Kindly advise how can I improve my financial planning.
Ans: Hi,

You are currently invested in Stocks and Mutual funds and you also have your PF. Assuming your MF investment is also more equity based, you have 80L invested towards Equity.
Your PF balance is not mentioned but as maximum limit of withdrawal is 90% for house purchase, I assume you have 50 lakhs or more in PF.
Your Equity to Debt allocation is approx. 60:40 favoring Equity. Even in this allocation, direct stock market investment which is 40% has the maximum risk exposure. MF are managed by professionals and they are risky but relatively less.

For a 1 Cr property, home loan would be 60 lakhs, which amounts to approx. 57K of EMI (depends on interest rate and tenure, assumed 15 years for now). So it may impact your monthly saving capacity to start with.
With 40% withdrawn from PF, your Equity Debt ration would change to 90:10. Thus increasing your risk exposure.
Your PF balance is considerably reduced.

So the first question you should ask yourself is - How much RISK am I willing to take at this time ?
With time, as you approach retirement age, will this RISK level be the same, chances are - no. At that time would you feel more secure with safer investment options. If yes, then PF balance needs to be much higher than what you would probably accumulate over 15 years.

Typically, for your profile (based on age alone), I would recommend you use the direct investments in Stock market to supplement the house purchase plan. You can of course keep some stock investments in good quality companies as a long term investment.
Also evaluate your Mutual Funds to see if they are providing you good returns of above 12%. If you find any scheme that is underperforming, it would be prudent to exit it and use those funds also towards the house purchase.

Beyond the above if you still fall short for the 40% part of house purchase, then you can consider PF withdrawal.
Note PF has a purpose its primarily to provide for retirement. Hence it is prudent to withdraw at the right time and get the benefit of not paying any tax on it. So even at 8% assured returns, its quite attractive considering most other investments will attract tax on withdrawal.

Equity on the other hand has risks associated but also reward those who can stay disciplined with their investments. But it will attract taxes.

So - The question you need to ask is how much Risk to take and what would be preferred asset allocation you can keep without losing sleep for the next 15 years until retirement.

Thanks & Regards
Janak Patel
Certified Financial Planner.

...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |9744 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 31, 2025

Career
Sir my JEE Mains 2025 percentile is 93.40 and my rank is 98264. I am male of general category from Rajasthan. Please recommend some good colleges that I can get in csab counselling
Ans: Vidit, With a 93.40 percentile (General, Rajasthan Home State) and a JEE Main rank of 98,264, your realistic CSAB counselling targets include lower-demand NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs where closing ranks for engineering branches often extend beyond 90,000. In the Home State quota for Rajasthan, consider NIT Uttarakhand and NIT Meghalaya for branches like Civil, Mechanical, and Electronics. Among IIITs, IIITDM Kurnool, IIIT Sri City, and IIIT Nagpur regularly admit General candidates with ranks up to 100,000 in non-CSE branches. GFTIs such as IIIT Delhi (second-tier seats), School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal, and IIIT Kota also fill seats in lower-demand streams. Additionally, Rajasthan’s own GFTI, Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur, may open spot rounds for core branches at higher ranks. These institutes meet the five critical benchmarks—AICTE/NBA accreditation, qualified faculty, modern labs and infrastructure, strong industry links, and transparent placement processes—with placement rates ranging 60–85% across engineering programs and median packages reflective of branch demand. Pursuing any of these colleges for branches aligned with your interest (e.g., ECE, IT-Allied, Civil) will ensure a credible technical education and balanced campus experience under the Rajasthan Home State quota.

RECOMMENDATION: In CSAB rounds, prioritize NIT Uttarakhand and NIT Meghalaya for robust campus environments and accredited programs, then target IIITDM Kurnool and IIIT Sri City for specialized IT-Allied branches, followed by GFTIs like SPA Bhopal, ensuring you secure a solid engineering education aligned with your percentile and domicile. Have 2-3 back-ups for Private Engineering Colleges also if CSAB does not work out for you, based on your expectations. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |9744 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 31, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 31, 2025Hindi
Career
Hello I'm 35 years old i hv 15months old baby. I have completed my mbbs course from abroad and not clear fmge exam yet. Difficult to focused on preparing for fmge exam handling baby husband and join family. I get frustrated depressed anger comes all the time.ibeck then I was ambitious girl but now lack of confidence lack in everything. So what carrier to choose from now? Can I restart with any course or what to do very confusing. My life is over now. There's no respect those who don't earn. Pl give me good advice so that I can bring better future for my baby
Ans: Many doctors who have completed their MBBS abroad but have not cleared the FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination) in India face similar dilemmas, especially when balancing family responsibilities, emotional well-being, and career aspirations at a later stage. The FMGE pass rate is low, and the exam can be overwhelming for mothers with young children and household responsibilities, often leading to frustration or self-doubt. However, your medical background is valuable and opens diverse pathways beyond clinical practice in India. Alternate options include enrolling in online or hybrid post-graduate diploma or certificate courses in medical writing, clinical research, pharmacovigilance, public health (MPH), hospital administration (MHA), or health informatics. These courses—offered through institutions like the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), Indian Institute of Clinical Research (ICRI), Medvarsity, and Symbiosis—generally require minimal entrance barriers, flexible timings, and often blend self-paced study with project work or internships. Roles in medical content writing, clinical research, health insurance, hospital and healthcare management, medical coding, pharmaceuticals, and telemedicine are accessible to foreign MBBS graduates and in high demand. Careers in public health, NGOs, digital health startups, and medical counseling are also viable, with NGOs and research bodies valuing your education, communication skills, and empathy. Registered health consultants, healthcare IT specialists, nutritionists, wellness program managers, and educators for pre-medical entrance coaching are in demand, and some private hospitals and health-tech companies employ graduates for junior management, documentation, process quality, or outreach roles. Upskilling through shorter, certified programs (3–12 months) either digitally or through nearby centers can build confidence and reignite professional engagement. Look for institutions that provide recognized certifications, industry-accredited faculty, robust academic support, project-based learning, and established placement assistance—essentials for sustainable career progression and personal development.

Building a new career may seem daunting, but your foundational knowledge, life experience, maturity, and resilience are assets that bring credibility and empathy in many healthcare-adjacent and academic roles. If you choose to reskill, your medical education will remain an advantage as you transition into roles that offer both professional fulfillment and a better work-life balance suited for mothers. Take small, actionable steps—start with a focused short-term course or consider part-time/remote roles initially to gain confidence and practical exposure. Positive and self-compassionate thinking, coupled with steady professional upgrades, will influence your family and child, modeling resilience and lifelong learning.

RECOMMENDATION: Prioritize short-term upskilling—such as clinical research, hospital administration, medical writing, or public health—through reputed online or hybrid programs that offer flexible scheduling and strong placement support, allowing you to quickly enter the workforce. Your medical expertise, when combined with targeted training, can unlock impactful roles, restore your confidence, and enhance your family’s well-being while balancing personal responsibilities and securing a respected, independent career path. All the BEST for Your Prosperous Future!

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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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