How much do I need to invest to retire comfortably at age 46?

Ans: You are 46 years old. Your combined monthly income with your husband is Rs. 1,25,000. You have the following assets:

EPF: Rs. 11,00,000
Shares: Rs. 35,00,000
Mutual Funds: Rs. 27,00,000
Own House
Bajaj Policies worth Rs. 55,00,000 (maturing to Rs. 90,00,000 in 5 years)
Other Life Insurances: Rs. 5,00,000
Gold: 700 grams, valued at Rs. 45,00,000
Diamond Jewelry: Rs. 12,00,000
Assessing Your Financial Goals
To create an effective investment plan, we need to identify your financial goals. These may include:

Retirement planning
Children's education and future needs
Healthcare and insurance needs
Current Financial Assets
Let's summarise your current financial assets:

EPF: Rs. 11,00,000
Shares: Rs. 35,00,000
Mutual Funds: Rs. 27,00,000
Bajaj Policies (current value): Rs. 55,00,000
Life Insurances: Rs. 5,00,000
Gold: Rs. 45,00,000
Diamond Jewelry: Rs. 12,00,000
Monthly Savings and Investments
After accounting for your monthly expenses, let's assume you can save a significant portion of your income.

Investment Strategy
1. Emergency Fund:

Maintain an emergency fund covering 6-12 months of expenses. This should be in a liquid fund or savings account.

2. Surrender Investment-cum-Insurance Policies:

Surrender your Bajaj policies and other investment-cum-insurance policies. Reinvest the proceeds into mutual funds. This can potentially offer higher returns.

3. EPF and Mutual Funds:

Continue contributions to EPF and mutual funds. These offer good returns over the long term.

4. Shares:

Diversify your stock portfolio. Consider investing in companies with strong growth potential.

5. Gold and Jewelry:

Gold and diamond jewelry are good long-term assets. Consider them as part of your wealth.

Monthly Investment Allocation
Retirement Planning:

Invest Rs. 50,000 per month in mutual funds.
Choose a mix of equity and debt funds.
Actively managed funds can outperform index funds.
Children's Education and Future:

Allocate Rs. 25,000 per month for their future.
Invest in child-specific mutual funds or education plans.
Healthcare and Insurance Needs:

Ensure adequate health insurance coverage.
Review and adjust your insurance policies.
Risk Management
1. Diversification:

Spread investments across different assets. This reduces risk and ensures stability.

2. Insurance:

Ensure comprehensive insurance coverage. Health and term insurance are essential.

Tax Planning
1. Tax-efficient Investments:

Invest in tax-saving instruments like ELSS. These offer tax benefits and potential growth.

2. Tax-saving Strategies:

Utilise strategies to reduce tax liability. Plan investments to maximise tax benefits.

Monitoring and Review
1. Regular Monitoring:

Monitor your investments regularly. Track performance and make necessary adjustments.

2. Annual Review:

Review your financial plan annually. Assess progress and adjust investments based on performance.

Estimating Retirement Corpus
Assuming a balanced portfolio, you can expect an annual return of 10-12%. To determine the exact corpus needed for retirement, consider your desired lifestyle and expenses. Consulting with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) will provide a detailed analysis and accurate estimate.

Final Insights
Achieving a comfortable retirement requires disciplined planning. Surrender investment-cum-insurance policies and reinvest in mutual funds. Invest systematically, diversify your portfolio, and utilise tax-saving strategies. With careful planning and professional guidance, you can build a secure financial future and achieve your retirement goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in