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Can I get 30,000 per month for my retired father's expenses and home loan repayment using SWP in mutual funds?

Milind

Milind Vadjikar  | Answer  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Feb 17, 2025

Milind Vadjikar is an independent MF distributor registered with Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) and a retirement financial planning advisor registered with Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
He has a mechanical engineering degree from Government Engineering College, Sambhajinagar, and an MBA in international business from the Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune.
With over 16 years of experience in stock investments, and over six year experience in investment guidance and support, he believes that balanced asset allocation and goal-focused disciplined investing is the key to achieving investor goals.... more
sasprings Question by sasprings on Feb 17, 2025Hindi
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Dear sir, My father is retiring this may and he won't get pension. He will get an amount of 40 lakhs from his savings.He has health insurance.At present he is paying home loan EMI of 35000 per month.Myself and my brother are working . After my father's retirement we want to pay home loan and my father want 30000 per month for his expenses. 1)Can we get that amount through SWP by investing in mutual funds? 2)can you give suggestions on reducing home loan burden?

Ans: Hello;

SWP in this case is absolutely ruled out because it won't work neither it is worth the risk.

You may repay home loan from the corpus to be received by your father and buy him lifetime annuity for the balance amount.(Will be much less then 30 K expected)

Else you may put entire sum received at retirement into an immediate annuity which at 6% may provide monthly income of 20 K. You and your brother may service the home loan.

You may migrate the loan to other lender with lesser rate of interest to reduce the burden.

Other option is to pay entire home loan from retirement corpus of your Dad. Then you may do reverse mortgage of the property owned by your father so that he gets monthly income.

But this option will relinquish your right to your father's home. Ofcourse you may buy from the lender later at the market rate.

Best wishes;
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  |10876 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 22, 2024

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"I'm a 44-year-old with a monthly salary of ?1.60 lakhs. I have two home loans: - One for ?31.49 lakhs towards a home in Pune, with a balance tenure of 128 months, an interest rate of 8.35%, and a monthly EMI of ?30,000. - Another for ?8.20 lakhs, with an original loan tenure of 182 months, a balance tenure of 116 months, an interest rate of 9.35%, and a monthly EMI of ?5,410. I am staying in rental home in Mumbai ?15,000 monthly. My total monthly investment in mutual funds is ?20,000, and my total investment in equities is ?20 lakhs. Please guide me on how to reach my retirement goal of ?15 crores. Abhishek
Ans: You’re 44 years old and earning Rs. 1.60 lakhs per month. You have two home loans, investments in mutual funds and equities, and you’re staying in a rental home in Mumbai.

Home Loan 1: Rs. 31.49 lakhs, tenure of 128 months, interest rate of 8.35%, EMI of Rs. 30,000.

Home Loan 2: Rs. 8.20 lakhs, tenure of 116 months, interest rate of 9.35%, EMI of Rs. 5,410.

Rent in Mumbai: Rs. 15,000 per month.

Monthly Mutual Fund Investment: Rs. 20,000.

Total Equity Investment: Rs. 20 lakhs.

You want to retire with a goal of Rs. 15 crores. Let’s develop a strategy.

Evaluating Your Current Investments
Your investments are divided between mutual funds and equities. This diversification is good. However, reaching a goal of Rs. 15 crores will require a more aggressive and disciplined approach.

Mutual Funds: Continue investing Rs. 20,000 monthly. Focus on equity mutual funds to target higher returns.

Equity Investments: Your Rs. 20 lakhs in equities is a strong base. It’s essential to monitor and rebalance this portfolio regularly.

Managing Home Loans and Rent
Your home loans are manageable but still consume a significant portion of your income. Here's how you can optimize:

Loan 1: The larger loan has an interest rate of 8.35%. Consider prepaying small amounts whenever possible. This will reduce interest and the loan tenure.

Loan 2: The smaller loan has a higher interest rate of 9.35%. It would be wise to prepay this loan first, as it’s costing you more.

Rent: Your rent in Mumbai is reasonable at Rs. 15,000 per month. It allows you to save and invest more.

Increasing Monthly Investments
To reach Rs. 15 crores by retirement, increasing your monthly investment is crucial. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Aim to increase your mutual fund investment from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 40,000 per month.

Step 2: Use any bonuses, salary hikes, or extra income to boost your investment further.

Step 3: Regularly review your investment portfolio to ensure it aligns with your retirement goal.

Considering Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP)
As you approach retirement, consider shifting a portion of your equity investments to a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) in mutual funds. SWP can provide you with a steady income during retirement while still allowing your investments to grow.

Risk Management and Asset Allocation
Balancing risk and return is key. As you’re still relatively young, a higher allocation towards equity can offer better returns. However, as you near retirement, gradually shift towards debt funds for stability.

Equity Funds: Continue to invest aggressively in equity funds.

Debt Funds: Gradually build your allocation to debt funds as you approach retirement to secure your capital.

Regular Monitoring and Adjustments
Your financial plan is dynamic and requires regular monitoring:

Annual Review: Review your financial plan annually. Adjust investments based on market conditions and your financial situation.

Emergency Fund: Maintain an emergency fund equivalent to 6-12 months of expenses. This will protect your investments in case of unexpected situations.

Insurance: Ensure you have adequate life and health insurance. This safeguards your wealth from unforeseen events.

Final Insights
Reaching a retirement corpus of Rs. 15 crores is achievable with disciplined investment and strategic financial planning.

Increase SIPs: Aim to increase your monthly SIP to Rs. 40,000.

Prepay Loans: Focus on prepaying the smaller, higher-interest loan.

Regular Monitoring: Review your portfolio regularly and adjust based on your progress.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Milind

Milind Vadjikar  | Answer  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Sep 28, 2024

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First of all I want to thank you sir for sharing your advice to the persons in need.I am Shiva and I am 28 years old. My father took a home loan of 35 lakhs in January 2019 .My father's current salary is 87000 rupees after deductions .My father is paying monthly installment of 33500 rupees for home loan.My father doesn't have pension and will retire in 2years. My salary is 50000 rupees after my deductions and I have term life insurance of 1.8 cr. my brother's salary is 1 lakh after deductions and both of us are married .After retirement of my father ,he will lumpsum of 40 lakhs and we do not want to use that to pay our home loan as there was no pension for my parents. How can we pay our home loan without affecting our children education and how can we manage my expenses for my parents and also for ourselves.I and my brother are interested in investing in mutual funds .My brother has health insurance of 10 lakhs which includes my parents .please suggest a way to manage our home loan , children education expenses and we want to become debt free as soon as possible and want to build our wealth. Please give your valuable advice sir.I will be eagerly waiting for that. Thanking you, Shiva
Ans: Hello;

You are most welcome for seeking probable answers to your queries.

After the retirement of your father he may buy immediate annuity from a life insurance company. Considering annuity rate of 6% he can expect to receive a monthly payout of 20 K immediately from next month. (You can try to shop around and negotiate for a better annuity rate).

Out of the monthly payout of 20 K your parents may keep 10 K for own expenses and balance 10 K may be earmarked towards loan emi.

Since home loan emi is 33.5 K, I suggest yourself and your brother can share the balance amount(23.5 K) in equal proportion(11750 per person, per month).

As rightly pointed out your family should focus on early repayment of this home loan by pre paying the principal as much as possible.

If the loan repayment tenure is more than 10 years then yourself and brother may be added as co-owners of the property alongwith your father.

This can then enable yourself and your brother to seek income tax deductions on account of home loan repayment.

This will involve stamp duty, registration and legal expenses so it will make sense only if loan repayment term is more then 10 years.

It would be better if you seek advice from a CA to pursue this option.

Despite the monthly payout of 11750, you and your brother will have surplus funds to invest for other goals.

Good to know that your parents are covered under healthcare insurance.

Your parents may not have left a huge fortune for you both but they have ensured best education for you by virtue of which you are decently settled in life. Keep that in mind.

Happy Investing!!

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10876 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 15, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - May 14, 2025
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Hi, I'm 34 years. I've a home loan of 48L emi is 50k (home loan pending tenure is 13years)... my net salary in hand is 1.3L. currently I don't have much monthly exp as I live in joint family n I have good control on my exp.. - My monthly investments are MF sip 30k, NPS 3K, ICICI child gift ulip plan 4K monthly for 5years, Bajaj retirement goal III ulip plan monthly 5k for 10years, LIC premium monthly 5K. And I pay extra Home loan pricipal monthly 12k.. -I've other investments 10fd, MF around 21L, equity stock around 17L, PPF 10L, NPS 2L, SGB 1L, suknya account 1.3L, .. 1) What you suggest shall I continue the my MF sips and other investments? 2) shall I increase monthly home loan prepayment from 12k by reducing monthly MF sips ? 3) guide am I in right direction in order to have retirement fund at the age of 50-55 ? 4) In future I'll have the exp of my two kids marriage and educational exp (they're now 2years) 5) Is child plan good? Shall I continue? 7) Also I'm planning to have another house (in year 2029-2034) which will cost nearly 1.7cr. currently the house for which loan is taken sale value is approx 70-75L..
Ans: At 34, you are doing many good things.

You live within your means and invest well.

Still, you asked the right questions.

Let us go step by step.

This answer will be simple but deep.

We will assess from a 360-degree angle.

Let us now begin.

Income, Loan and Lifestyle Assessment

Your net monthly salary is Rs. 1.3 lakh.

Your current EMI is Rs. 50,000. This is almost 38% of your income.

You pay Rs. 12,000 extra as home loan prepayment.

Your total home loan outflow is Rs. 62,000 per month.

You have strong cost control because you live in a joint family.

That is a big plus at this age. Keep it up.

Your current lifestyle gives you surplus money. That is a strength.

Do not let lifestyle inflation spoil this later.

Review of Your Ongoing Monthly Investments

SIP in mutual funds: Rs. 30,000 monthly. This is a good habit.

NPS contribution: Rs. 3,000 per month. But NPS has lock-in and limited flexibility.

LIC: Rs. 5,000 monthly. LIC policies mostly offer low returns.

ICICI child ULIP: Rs. 4,000 monthly. ULIPs are not cost-effective.

Bajaj Retirement ULIP: Rs. 5,000 monthly. Also not efficient.

You are paying Rs. 17,000 per month towards ULIP and LIC combined.

This money can earn more if invested in mutual funds.

ULIP and LIC Policies: Need Review

ULIP plans have high costs and complex structures.

They mix insurance and investment. That is never a smart idea.

LIC plans also give low returns (around 5-6% only).

Instead of continuing for full term, check surrender value now.

You may stop future payments after checking terms.

A Certified Financial Planner can assist in evaluating surrender wisely.

That money should be moved to mutual funds via SIP.

Assessment of Mutual Fund Investments

SIP of Rs. 30,000 monthly is excellent. Continue it.

You already have Rs. 21 lakh in mutual funds. That is solid.

Don't reduce SIP to increase home loan prepayment.

Mutual funds help build wealth faster than home loan savings.

Prepayment gives 8.5% benefit (loan rate).

But mutual funds (active ones) can give 12-14% over long term.

So reducing SIPs to prepay loan is not wise.

Continue SIPs. Increase them if income increases.

PPF, NPS and SGB – Conservative, Yet Useful

PPF: Rs. 10 lakh. Tax-free and safe. Keep investing the max every year.

NPS: Rs. 2 lakh. Good for tax saving. But retirement corpus gets locked.

SGB: Rs. 1 lakh. Gold bonds are fine for partial diversification.

Use PPF more than NPS because of better flexibility.

FDs and Stocks – Balancing Safety with Growth

You have Rs. 10 lakh in fixed deposits. Good for emergency or short-term needs.

Equity stocks: Rs. 17 lakh. Shows you are growth-oriented.

Review stock portfolio once every 6 months.

Don’t hold stocks if you're unsure of their quality.

If needed, shift to mutual funds where experts manage the money.

Child ULIP Plans – Better to Avoid

These child ULIPs are sold emotionally, not financially.

High costs and limited transparency are common issues.

Returns are low due to charges.

For your kids’ education and marriage, mutual funds are better.

Start two SIPs – one for education and one for marriage.

Invest in multi-cap and flexi-cap mutual funds.

Keep increasing these SIPs as income grows.

Future Second Home Purchase – Evaluation Needed

You are planning to buy another house worth Rs. 1.7 crore.

Your current home value is Rs. 70–75 lakh.

Don’t look at second house as an investment.

Real estate brings risk, low liquidity and high maintenance.

If it's for self-use, then fine.

But for wealth creation, mutual funds are better.

Don’t take another big loan just for second house.

That can disturb cash flow and limit investments.

If needed, sell existing house and use that as down payment.

Debt vs Equity Thinking – Long-Term Wealth Needs Equity

You are still young. Just 34.

Retirement goal is 50–55. You still have 16–21 years.

Equity mutual funds help in wealth creation.

Debt products like FDs, PPF, NPS are safe but grow slowly.

So, most savings should go to equity mutual funds now.

Only emergency and near-term goals should use FDs or PPF.

Tax Efficiency – Optimise Your Structure

Income tax savings from home loan are fine.

NPS gives extra deduction under 80CCD(1B).

But ULIPs and LIC do not give long-term tax benefits.

Mutual funds are now taxed at 12.5% for long term.

Still, mutual funds offer better post-tax growth than LIC/ULIP.

Emergency Fund and Insurance Coverage

Keep 6 months’ expense in FD or savings as emergency fund.

Check if you have term life cover. Minimum Rs. 1 crore is needed.

Also check family medical insurance. Rs. 10–15 lakh cover is good.

Don’t mix insurance with investment. Keep both separate.

Action Plan: Clear, Simple and Step-by-Step

Continue your Rs. 30,000 SIP. Increase yearly if possible.

Review and surrender ULIPs and LIC if suitable.

Stop all future ULIP premiums. Redirect to mutual funds.

Don’t reduce SIPs to prepay loan. Let SIPs continue.

Make home loan prepayment only if surplus money is idle.

Start SIPs for child education and marriage.

Don’t go for second house as investment.

Review stocks and replace with mutual funds if not confident.

Maintain FDs for emergency, not as long-term investment.

Ensure term life and health cover are in place.

Update nominations and keep all documents organised.

Finally

Your financial journey has a strong start.

You have right habits and long-term thinking.

But your portfolio needs cleaning.

ULIPs and LIC are eating your returns quietly.

Your SIPs are your strongest weapon. Don’t pause them.

Buy house only if it’s for personal use, not wealth building.

Your retirement goal at 50–55 is achievable.

But only if equity investment continues and grows.

Children’s goals will come faster than you think.

Start SIPs now for them. Don’t depend on ULIPs.

You are on the right track. Just remove the low-return blocks.

Review regularly with a Certified Financial Planner.

That will help you move confidently, year after year.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

..Read more

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Naveenn

Naveenn Kummar  |234 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF, Insurance Expert - Answered on Dec 09, 2025

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Dear Naveen Sir, I am 55 Years old and have five more years in superannuation. My monthly take home is approx. 6 Lacs PM . I have accumulated 2 Cr. in MF , 1.5 Cr in PF , 1 Cr FD and NPS and LIC put all together will be approx 50 Lacs and payout will start from 2028 onwards. I have just booked one 4 BHK and take home loan which is construction linked plan . Possession will be in 2029. My Daughter and Son are on Marriage age but both are also earning handsomely as they are in 30% bracket of IT . Have parental property approx 1.5 Cr which i will get in due course of the time. Monthly expenses are approx 1 Lacs only . Please suggest the way forward for next 5 Years .....how and where i start investing ....
Ans: Dear Sir
For a comprehensive QPFP level financial planning and retirement assessment we request the following details. These inputs will allow financial planner to prepare an accurate inflation-adjusted roadmap covering risk protection, income stability, investment strategy and long-term financial security.
________________________________________
1. Personal and Family Details
Your age and planned retirement year.
Spouse’s age, working status and future income expectations.
Number of dependents and their financial reliance on you.
Any major medical conditions in the family.
________________________________________
2. Parents’ Health and Financial Dependence
Current health condition of parents.
Do they have their own medical insurance cover.
Sum insured and type of policy.
Any critical illness or pre-existing conditions.
Monthly financial support you provide to them if any.
Expected future medical or caretaker expenses.
________________________________________
3. Income and Cash Flow
Monthly take home income.
Expected increments or bonuses for the next five years.
Monthly household expense structure.
Existing EMIs and financial commitments.
Monthly surplus available for investments.
Any expenses expected to rise due to inflation or lifestyle changes.
________________________________________
4. Home Loan and Liabilities
Sanctioned home loan amount, interest rate and tenure.
Current disbursement status under construction linked plan.
Your plan for EMI servicing and part-prepayment.
Any other loans or financial liabilities.
________________________________________
5. Real Estate Profile
Is this 4 BHK your first home or do you own other properties.
Any rental income from existing properties.
Purpose of the new 4 BHK after retirement for self, parents or children.
Your plan for the parental house. Retain, sell or rent.
Where you plan to settle post retirement.
________________________________________
6. Investment Portfolio
Current mutual fund corpus and category-wise split.
SIP amounts and investment horizon.
PF, EPF, PPF and other retirement scheme balances.
Fixed deposit amounts, maturity periods and ownership structure for DICGC protection.
NPS allocations Tier 1 and Tier 2.
LIC policies with surrender value and maturity year.
Any bonds, NCDs, PMS, private equity or invoice discounting exposure.
________________________________________
7. Emergency Preparedness
Current emergency fund value.
Loan facility available against MF or FD.
Any credit line for medical or sudden expenses.
________________________________________
8. Insurance Protection (Self and Spouse)
Term insurance coverage and policy details.
Health insurance sum assured and insurer.
Top-up or super top-up cover details.
Critical illness and accident cover status.
Adequacy of insurance after accounting for inflation.
________________________________________
9. Children’s Goals and Planning
Are you contributing financially to your children's planning.
Any corpus set aside for their marriage.
Children’s own investment and insurance setup.
Any future goals involving them.
________________________________________
10. Retirement Vision and Income Planning
Expected retirement lifestyle and monthly cost adjusted for inflation.
Your preferred retirement income structure
SWP from mutual funds
Annuity or pension products
PF interest
NPS annuity
Rental income
Plans to monetise or downsize real estate if needed.
Any travel, medical or lifestyle goals post retirement.
________________________________________
11. Estate and Succession Planning
Will availability and last update date.
Nominations across MF, PF, NPS, FD, LIC, demat and bank accounts.
Any instructions for asset distribution.
________________________________________
Next Step
Only Once you share these details, financial planner can prepare a complete five year roadmap covering asset allocation, inflation-adjusted corpus projections, loan strategy, insurance adequacy, medical preparedness, pension and SWP planning, liquidity management and post-retirement income stability.


Disclaimer / Guidance:
The above analysis is generic in nature and based on limited data shared. For accurate projections — including inflation, tax implications, pension structure, and education cost escalation — it is strongly advised to consult a qualified QPFP/CFP or Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD). They can help prepare a comprehensive retirement and goal-based cash flow plan tailored to your unique situation.
Financial planning is not only about returns; it’s about ensuring peace of mind and aligning your money with life goals. A professional planner can help you design a safe, efficient, and realistic roadmap toward your ideal retirement.

Best regards,
Naveenn Kummar, BE, MBA, QPFP
Chief Financial Planner | AMFI Registered MFD
https://members.networkfp.com/member/naveenkumarreddy-vadula-chennai
044-31683550

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10876 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 09, 2025

Money
Im aged 40 years and my husband is aged 48 years. We have one son aged 8 years and daughter aged 12 years. We both are in business. What should be the ideal corpus to meet their education at the age of 18 years for both children? Present business income we can save Rs.50000 pm
Ans: You are thinking early. That itself is a smart step. Many parents postpone planning and later struggle with loans. You are not in that situation. So appreciate your approach.

You asked about ideal corpus for higher education. Education cost is rising fast. So planning early avoids financial pressure later.

You have two kids. Your daughter is 12. Your son is 8. You have around six years for your daughter and around ten years for your son. With this time frame, you need a proper structured plan.

» Understanding Future Education Cost

Education inflation in India is high. It is increasing year after year. Even professional courses are becoming costly. College fees, hostel fees, books, digital tools and transportation also add cost.

You need to consider this inflation. Higher education cost will not remain at today’s value. It will grow.

So if today a standard undergraduate program costs around a few lakhs, in six to ten years the cost may go much higher. That is why estimating corpus should consider this future cost.

You don’t need exact numbers today. You need a target range to plan. A comfortable range gives clarity.

» Typical Cost Structure for Higher Education

Higher education cost depends on:

– Private or government institution
– Course type
– City or abroad option
– Duration

For engineering, medical, management or technology courses, cost goes higher. For government colleges the cost is lower but seats are limited. Private colleges are more accessible but expensive.

So planning based only on government college assumption may create funding gaps. Planning based on private college range gives safer margin.

» Suggested Corpus for Both Children

For your daughter, considering next six years gap and inflation, a target range should be higher. For your son, you have more time. So his corpus can grow better because compounding works more with time.

For a comfortable education corpus that covers most course possibilities, many families plan for a higher number. It gives flexibility to choose better college without stress.

So you can aim for a larger goal for both children like this:

– Daughter: Target a strong education fund for next six years
– Son: Target a similar or slightly higher fund for the next ten years because future costs may be higher

You may not need the whole amount if your child chooses a less expensive route. But having extra cushion gives peace.

» Your Savings Ability

You mentioned you can save Rs.50000 monthly. That is a strong saving capacity. But this saving should not go entirely to a single goal. You will also need future retirement planning, emergency fund and other life goals.

Still, a reasonable portion of this amount can be allocated towards education planning. Some families divide savings based on urgency and time horizon. Since daughter’s goal is near, she may need a more stable allocation.

Your son’s goal is long term. So his part can stay in growth asset for longer.

» Choosing the Right Investment Style

A long term goal like your son’s education needs equity exposure. Equity gives better potential for long term growth. It beats inflation better than fixed deposits.

But for your daughter, pure equity can create risk because goal is nearer. Market fluctuations may affect final corpus. So she needs a balanced asset mix.

So investment approach must be different for both.

» Asset Allocation Strategy

For your daughter with six year horizon:

– Higher allocation to a balanced type category
– Some allocation to equity through diversified categories
– Step down equity allocation in final three years

This structure protects capital in later years.

For your son with ten year horizon:

– Higher equity allocation at start
– Continue systematic investing
– Reduce risk allocation gradually closer to goal period

This helps growth and protection.

» Avoiding Wrong Investment Products

Parents often buy traditional insurance plans or children policies for education. These policies give low returns. They lock money and reduce wealth creation potential.

So avoid purely insurance based products for education goals. Insurance is separate. Investment is separate. This separation creates clarity and better growth.

If you already hold any ULIP or investment insurance product, it may not be efficient. Only if you have such policies then you may review and consider if surrender is needed and reinvest in mutual funds. If you don’t have such policies, no need to worry.

» Role of Actively Managed Mutual Funds

For long term goals, actively managed mutual funds offer better flexibility and expert management. They are designed to outperform inflation. A regular plan through a mutual fund distributor with CFP support helps with guidance. They also track your goal and give advice in volatile phases.

Direct funds look cheaper on expense ratio. But they lack advisory support. Long term investors often make emotional mistakes in direct investing. They stop SIPs or switch wrong schemes. So advisory backed investing avoids costly behaviour mistakes.

Index funds look simple and low cost. But they only follow the market. They don’t protect during corrections. There is no strategy or research. Actively managed funds adjust holdings based on market research and valuation. For life goals like education, smoother growth and strategy are needed.

So regular plan with advisory support helps you avoid unnecessary emotional decisions.

» Importance of Systematic Investing

A fixed monthly SIP gives discipline. It also benefits from market volatility. When markets fall, SIP buys more units. In rise phase, the value grows.

A structured SIP helps both goals. For daughter, SIP should shift towards low volatility funds slowly. For son, SIP can run longer in growth-oriented funds before reducing risk.

Your contribution amount may change based on future business income. But start now with whatever comfortable.

» Protecting the Goal With Insurance

Since you both are running business, income stability may fluctuate. So ensuring life security is important. Term insurance is the right option. It is low cost and high coverage.

This ensures child’s education is protected even if income stops.

Medical insurance also matters. A medical emergency should not break education savings.

» Reviewing the Plan Periodically

A fixed plan is good. But markets and life conditions change. So review once every twelve months.

Points to review:

– Are SIPs running on time?
– Is allocation suitable for goal year?
– Any need to shift from equity to safer category?
– Any tax planning advantage needed?

But avoid checking portfolio every week. Frequent checking creates stress.

» Education Goal Withdrawal Plan

As the daughter’s goal comes close:

– Stop SIP in high risk category
– Start shifting profit to debt type fund over systematic transfers
– Keep final year money in safe option like liquid category

Same formula should be applied for your son when his goal approaches.

This protects against last minute market crash.

» Emotional Side of Planning

Education is an emotional goal. Parents feel pressure to provide the best. But planning removes fear.

Saving consistently gives confidence. Having a plan helps avoid panic decisions. It also brings clarity of future expense.

This planning sets financial discipline for your children as well.

» Taxation Factors

When redeeming funds for education, tax rules will apply. For equity fund withdrawals, long term capital gains above exemption are taxed at 12.5% as per current rules. For short term within one year, tax is higher.

For debt investments, gains are taxed as per your tax slab.

So plan the withdrawal timing to reduce tax.

Tax planning near goal year is very important.

» What You Can Do Next

– Start separate investments for each child
– Use SIP for disciplined investing
– Choose growth-oriented asset for son
– Choose balanced and phased investment approach for daughter
– Review allocation yearly
– Protect the goal with insurance cover

Following these steps helps achieve the target corpus smoothly.

» Finally

You are already thinking in the right direction. You have time for both goals. You also have a good saving frequency. So you can build a strong education fund without stress.

Your children’s future will be secure if you continue with a structured and disciplined plan.

Stay consistent with your savings. Make investment choices carefully. Review and adjust calmly over time.

This journey will help you reach your ideal corpus for both children.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10876 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 09, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 09, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi Sir, Regarding recent turmoils in global economic situation and trends, Trump's tariffs, relentless FII selling, should I be worried about midcap, large&midcap funds that I have in my mutual fund portfolio? I have been investing from last 4 years and want to invest for next 10 years only. And then plan to retire and move to SWP. I'm targeting a 10%-11% return eventually. And I don't want to make lower returns than FD's. Is now the time to switch from midcap, laege&midcap to conservative, large, flexi funds? Please suggest.
Ans: You have asked the right question at the right time. Many investors panic only after damage happens. You are thinking ahead. That is a strong habit.

You also have clarity about your goal, time horizon and expected returns. This mindset will help you handle market noise better.

» Current Market Sentiment and Global Events
The global economy is seeing stress. There are trade decisions, tariff announcements, and geopolitical issues. Foreign institutional investors are selling. News flow looks negative.
These events can cause short term volatility. Midcaps and small caps usually react faster during these phases. Even large caps show some stress.
But markets have seen many crises in the past. Elections, governments, conflicts, pandemics, financial crashes and tariff wars are not new events. Markets always recover over time.
Short term movements are unpredictable. Long term wealth creation depends more on patience and asset allocation.

» Your Time Horizon Matters More Than Market Noise
You have been investing for 4 years. You plan to invest for the next 10 years. That means your remaining maturity is long term.
For a 10 year goal, equity is suitable. Midcap and large and midcap funds are designed for long term investors. They are not meant for short periods.
If your time horizon is short, it is valid to worry about downside risk. But with 10 more years ahead, temporary volatility is normal and expected.
Short term fear should not drive long term decisions.

» Should You Switch to Conservative or Large Cap Now?
Switching based on panic or temporary news is not ideal. When you switch now, you lock the current lower value permanently. You also miss the recovery phase.
Large cap and flexi cap funds offer stability. But they also deliver lower growth potential during bull runs compared to midcaps.
Midcaps usually fall deeper when markets drop. But they also recover faster and often outperform in the next cycle.
Switching now may protect emotions but may reduce long term wealth creation.

» Target Return of 10% to 11% is Reasonable
Aiming for 10%-11% return with a 10 year investment horizon is realistic.
Fixed deposits now offer around 6.5% to 7.5%. After tax, the return becomes lower.
Equity funds have potential to generate better returns compared to FD over a long tenure. Midcap allocation contributes to this return potential.
So moving fully to conservative funds may reduce your ability to beat inflation comfortably.

» Impact of FII Selling
FII selling creates pressure on the market. But domestic investors including SIP flows are strong today. India is seeing strong structural growth.
Retail investors, mutual funds and systematic flows act as stabilizers.
FII selling is temporary and cyclical. It is not a permanent trend.

» Economic Slowdowns Create Opportunities
Corrections make valuations reasonable. This can benefit long term SIP investors.
During downturns, your SIP buys more units. During recovery, these units grow.
This mechanism works best in volatile categories like midcaps.
Stopping SIP or switching during dips blocks this benefit.

» Midcap Cycles Are Natural
Midcap funds move in cycles. They have phases of strong growth followed by correction. The correction phase is painful but temporary.
Every cycle contributes to future upside. Staying invested during all phases is important.
Many investors exit during downturns and enter again after markets rise. This behaviour produces lower returns than the mutual fund performance.

» Role of Portfolio Balance
Instead of exiting fully, review your asset allocation. You can hold a mix of:
– Large cap
– Flexi cap
– Midcap
– Large and midcap
This gives stability and growth potential.
Midcap should not be more than a suitable percentage for your age and risk tolerance. Since you are 36, some meaningful midcap exposure is fine.
If midcap exposure is very high, you can reduce slightly and move that portion to flexi cap or large cap funds slowly through a systematic transfer. Do not do a lump sum shift during panic.

» Behavioural Discipline Matters More Than Fund Selection
Market cycles test investor patience. Consistency in SIP and holding through declines builds wealth.
Most investors do not fail due to bad funds. They fail due to fear-based decisions.
Your approach should be systematic, not emotional.

» Do Not Compare with FD Frequently
FD gives predictable return. Equity gives volatile but higher potential return.
Comparing FD returns every time the market falls leads to wrong decisions.
FD is for safety. Equity is for growth. They serve different purposes.
Your retirement plan and SWP plan depends on growth. Only equity can provide that growth.

» Should You Change Strategy Because Retirement is 10 Years Away?
Now is not the time to exit growth segments. You are still in accumulation phase.
When you reach the last 3 years before retirement, then reducing equity exposure step by step is required.
At that stage, a glide path helps preserve gains. That time has not yet come.
So continue building wealth now.

» Market Timings and Shifts Rarely Work
Many investors try to predict markets. Most of them fail.
Switching based on news looks logical. But news and market timing rarely align.
Staying consistent with your asset allocation gives better results than frequent changes.

» Portfolio Review Approach
You can follow these steps:
– Continue SIPs in all categories
– Avoid stopping based on short term fears
– If midcap allocation is above comfort level, shift only small portion gradually
– Review allocation once in a year, not every month
This structured approach prevents emotional decisions.

» Tax Rules Matter When Switching
Switching between equity funds involves tax impact.
Short term capital gains tax is higher.
Long term capital gains above the exemption limit are taxed at 12.5%.
Switching without purpose can create avoidable tax leakage.
This reduces your compounding.

» When to Worry?
You need to reconsider only if:
– Your goal horizon becomes short
– Your risk appetite changes
– Your allocation becomes unbalanced
Not because of headlines or temporary corrections.

» Your Retirement SWP Plan
Once your accumulation phase is completed, you can shift to:
– Conservative hybrid
– Flexi cap
– Balanced allocation
This will support a smoother SWP.
But this transition should happen only closer to the retirement start date. Not now.

» SIP is Designed for Turbulent Years
SIP works best when markets are volatile. The hardest years for emotions are the most powerful for compounding.
Your long term discipline is your strategy.
Do not interrupt it.

» What You Should Do Now
– Stay invested
– Continue SIP
– Avoid panic selling
– Review allocation once a year
– Use a steady plan, not reactions
This will help you reach your target return range.

» Finally
You are on the right path. The current volatility is temporary. Your 10 year horizon gives enough time for recovery and growth.
Switching right now based on fear may reduce your future returns. Staying invested and continuing SIPs is the sensible approach.
Your goal of better return than FD is realistic. Equity can deliver that with patience.
Stay calm and systematic.
Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

...Read more

Radheshyam

Radheshyam Zanwar  |6740 Answers  |Ask -

MHT-CET, IIT-JEE, NEET-UG Expert - Answered on Dec 09, 2025

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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