hi, I am G C , I am working in a PSU BHEL since Mar 2010.Birth Month is May 1987.Having a daughter of 8 yrs old. Not much ancestral property. Current Basic+DA is 65000.Company contribution in PF is 8L approx. Only NPS of 50000 annual is investing since 7 yrs for pension.As still 24 years is there for retirement, considering future instability with Govt scheme & health, should I go for higher pension EPS-95 or stick with EPF only

Ans: Sorry. I do not have any expertise on this particular subject and I would not be able to answer your question in any comprehensive manner.

However, I did some googling and found these two articles useful. Hope they answer your question to some extent:-

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/et-explains/explained-how-much-your-eps-pension-will-rise-how-to-get-that-all-details-here/articleshow/68716373.cms?from=mdr

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/wealth/invest/factors-you-should-consider-before-opting-for-higher-pension-under-eps-scheme/articleshow/68750384.cms

Ans: Evaluating Pension on Higher Wages vs. Alternative Investments
Understanding Your Pension on Higher Wages
First, congratulations on your upcoming retirement! Opting for "Pension on higher wages" with EPFO means you will receive a monthly pension of about Rs. 32,000. This amount will be a steady source of income. However, you need to pay Rs. 11 lacs in arrears to the pension fund. After your death, your spouse will receive half the pension, and there will be no return of the Rs. 11 lacs.

Assessing the Risks and Benefits
Pros:

Steady Income: You receive a guaranteed monthly pension, which provides financial stability.
No Market Risk: Your pension amount is not affected by market fluctuations.
Spousal Benefit: After your death, your spouse will receive half the pension, ensuring some continued support.
Cons:

Arrears Payment: You need to pay Rs. 11 lacs upfront, which is a significant amount.
Limited Return: After both you and your spouse pass away, the Rs. 11 lacs is not returned.
Inflation Risk: The pension amount is fixed, and inflation might reduce its purchasing power over time.
Exploring Alternative Investment Options
Investing Rs. 11 lacs elsewhere could potentially offer higher returns. Here are some alternatives:

Mutual Funds:

Actively Managed Funds: These funds have professional fund managers who actively make investment decisions. They can potentially outperform the market, offering higher returns.
Regular Plans via MFDs: Investing through a Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD) with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) credential can provide personalized advice and better fund management.
Fixed Deposits:

Low Risk: Fixed deposits are a safe investment option with guaranteed returns.
Flexibility: You can choose the tenure and amount of investment based on your needs.
Government Bonds:

Stable Returns: Government bonds offer stable and secure returns.
Interest Income: Bonds provide regular interest income, which can be a source of steady cash flow.
Comparative Analysis
When comparing the EPFO pension with alternative investments, consider these factors:

Risk Tolerance: EPFO pension offers low risk, while mutual funds can be volatile but potentially more rewarding.
Income Stability: EPFO pension provides a fixed monthly income, while investment returns can fluctuate.
Inflation Protection: Investments like mutual funds can potentially keep pace with inflation, unlike a fixed pension.
Personalized Strategy
Given your specific needs and risk tolerance, it might be beneficial to diversify your investments. Here are some suggestions:

Combination Approach: Consider allocating a portion of the Rs. 11 lacs to the EPFO pension and the rest to mutual funds and fixed deposits.
Professional Guidance: Seek advice from a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to tailor a plan that aligns with your financial goals and retirement needs.
Empathy and Understanding
Your situation is unique, and it’s crucial to find a balance that offers security and growth. By exploring different options and understanding the pros and cons, you can make an informed decision. Remember, your financial well-being in retirement is paramount, and taking the time to plan carefully will pay off in the long run.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

Ans: Hi Debasis,

Retirement at 45 is achievable. You have another 12 years before your target of retirement at 45 age and assuming you will stay committed to your current investment plan.
As there is still a long life ahead I hope you will think about what to do post retirement.

Some information is missing so I will make some assumptions and provide my updates and views on your current portfolio
Mutual Funds - 22000 per month investment and assuming average return of 12% will help accumulate nearly 1 Cr
PPF - contributing 1.5 lakhs yearly at 7 % will help accumulate nearly 60 lakhs
ULIP - exact month is not available so assuming 1 lakh for the next 12 years at 9% return (it has a lot of expenses in the initial 5 years) will help accumulate nearly 22 lakhs (see note below for ULIP)
NPS - 50000 per year at 10% returns (depends on asset allocation) will accumulate nearly 25 lakhs

Note on ULIP - ULIPs are life insurance + investment product. They do not give enough Life insurance nor do they give comparable returns like Mutual Funds. They will have high expenses in the initial 5-7 years (typical lock-in period) and its market linked (like mutual funds). The Insurance is not really enough and hence advice is to take separate Life Insurance - Term Life insurance for a good amount which is quite cheap and invest remaining amount into Mutual Funds/NPS - this will give best possible Life insurance cover and investment returns. So if you have completed your lock-in period (check policy document), I recommend close the ULIP and replan as mentioned.
If this ULIP was part of tax plan under 80C, then re-invest in ELSS Mutual funds or NPS for same benefit under 80C, and even the Term plan premium will be considered under 80C - so effectively same amount under 80C but better cover and investments.

The total corpus you will accumulate is approximately 2 Crores and this can definitely help you generate income of 1 lakh per month.
There are many aspects that are not considered in this scenario, do keep the below in mind.
The amount of Health insurance you have, you should have cover of 1 crore for self and family.
The Life insurance you require needs to be assessed/calculated. This depends on your net-worth and financial responsibilities towards your family/dependents. Once this is known, plan to get a Term Plan for the required amount ASAP.
Life expenses need to be calculated considering the inflation applicable for your lifestyle. Will 1 lakh be enough to cover your expenses after 12 years when you retire. Also Inflation will keep increasing and thus initial 1 lakh will soon become much more each year.

I strongly recommend you connect with a Certified Financial Planner for personalized guidance and prepare a plan that will take into consideration all above points and much more to provide you a comprehensive Financial Plan. Benefits will include a more tax efficient plan which will consider your requirements and ensure retirement goals are achieved and if there is a shortfall - what alternatives you need to consider.

Hope this is helpful and all the best for the future.

Regards
Janak Patel
Certified Financial Planner.