Retirement corpus goals: How to reach Rs.5 crores by 65 with no MF or SIP experience?

Ans: Hello;

You may change your service record in EPFO system through your current or previous employer after furnishing all documentary proofs substantiating your claim.

Best wishes;

Ans: Hello;

You need a minimum retirement corpus of 4 Cr plus an emergency fund of 15-20 L.

4 Cr sum when invested in a equity savings type mutual fund with low to moderate risk rating may yield a post tax monthly income of around 1 L at 3.5% SWP.

Assuming inflation at 6% and fund returns at 8%, on average, this can provide you monthly income indexed to inflation since time in retirement is expected to be higher.

Best wishes;

Ans: Hello;

You may begin monthly sip of the desired amount in a multi asset allocation fund.

You may select any fund from the top quartile in this category with lower risk rating.

It may grow into a sum of 57 L in 15 years considering modest return of 9%.

Best wishes;

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But it is advisable to do pregnancy test to rule out pregnancy.
Or visit your nearby gynae to rule out other causes if delayed menses

Ans: Hello
History noted
The above symptoms are of perimenopause
Perimenopause:
The transitional period before menopause, when the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen
Can begin in your 40s and last for several months or years
Symptoms include irregular periods, hot flashes, and mood swings
No menses for a period of one year is MENOPAUSE
Yes, you should visit your gynecologists. She will guide with lifestyle modifications, supplements to take care of mood swings, calcium supplements and multivitamins and dietary management for managing weight gain.

Ans: Investing for three years requires balancing returns and safety. Your choice should depend on risk tolerance, taxation, and liquidity needs.

Key Factors to Consider
A three-year horizon is short for equity investments.
Volatility in equities can impact returns if markets decline near redemption.
Debt funds provide stability but may have lower returns than equity funds.
Hybrid funds balance risk and returns better than pure equity or debt funds.
Taxation on mutual funds should be considered before making a choice.
Investment Options Based on Risk Profile
For Conservative Investors
Capital safety is a priority for conservative investors.
Debt mutual funds are suitable due to lower risk.
Short-duration and corporate bond funds offer better returns than fixed deposits.
Dynamic bond funds can work if comfortable with some interest rate risk.
Returns may be lower, but capital protection is higher.
For Moderate Investors
A mix of debt and equity is ideal.
Hybrid funds help balance stability and growth.
Aggressive hybrid funds invest around 65% in equity and 35% in debt.
Conservative hybrid funds invest more in debt and less in equity.
These funds can generate better returns than pure debt funds.
For Aggressive Investors
Equity funds can provide higher returns but come with risk.
Large-cap or flexi-cap funds are better than mid-cap or small-cap for three years.
Equity savings funds reduce risk by holding debt and arbitrage components.
Investors should be ready for short-term volatility in equity investments.
A systematic withdrawal plan (SWP) after three years can help manage risks.
Mutual Fund Taxation for 3-Year Investment
Equity fund LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.
Equity STCG is taxed at 20%.
Debt funds are taxed as per the investor’s income tax slab.
Hybrid funds taxation depends on their equity component.
Investors in high tax brackets may prefer equity-oriented funds for tax efficiency.
Regular Funds vs Direct Funds
Regular funds provide Certified Financial Planner (CFP) support and expert guidance.
Direct funds may appear cheaper but lack personalized financial advice.
Market conditions change, and professional guidance helps navigate investments.
Investors often make emotional decisions, which a CFP helps avoid.
Long-term returns may be higher with proper advisory support.
Actively Managed Funds vs Index Funds
Actively managed funds aim to beat market returns.
Fund managers adjust portfolios based on market conditions.
Index funds simply follow market indices and lack flexibility.
Actively managed funds can protect during market downturns.
A three-year horizon does not favor passive investing due to short-term volatility.
When to Choose a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)
A lump sum investment is ideal when markets are low.
SIP helps reduce risk in volatile markets.
If investing in equity or hybrid funds, staggered investment through SIP can help.
Debt funds are better suited for lump sum investments.
SWP can be used for gradual withdrawal after three years.
Liquidity and Exit Strategy
Some funds have exit loads if redeemed before a certain period.
Hybrid and debt funds often have lower exit loads than equity funds.
Ensure liquidity by choosing funds with flexible redemption options.
Plan redemptions at least 3-6 months before the end of the investment period.
Final Insights
Debt funds are safer for conservative investors.
Hybrid funds offer a balance of risk and reward.
Equity funds suit aggressive investors but require risk tolerance.
Mutual fund taxation should be considered before investing.
Regular funds with CFP guidance provide better long-term benefits.
Would you like help in selecting specific categories within these options?

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

Ans: It seems you were investing in Nasdaq through a mutual fund SIP but are now unable to continue. You are looking for mutual fund houses that still accept SIPs for global investments.

There are multiple factors to consider before continuing with global investments.

Understanding Restrictions on Global SIPs
Many mutual funds had to pause fresh investments in international schemes.
This was due to regulatory restrictions on overseas investment limits.
Some fund houses have reopened investments, but availability changes frequently.
The acceptance of SIPs depends on whether they have room within the limits.
Mutual Fund Houses Offering Global Investments
Some Indian fund houses continue to accept SIPs for international funds.
They may invest in US markets, European markets, or emerging economies.
Some focus on technology stocks, while others cover broader sectors.
The availability of SIPs can change based on fund house policies.
You should check with the fund house or an expert before investing.
Should You Continue Global Investments?
The US market has given strong returns in the long term.
However, global investing comes with risks like currency fluctuations.
The rupee’s movement against the dollar impacts your returns.
The US market is expensive compared to Indian equities.
Diversification is good, but overexposure to a single market is risky.
Actively Managed Funds vs Index Funds
Many global funds track indices like Nasdaq or S&P 500.
Index funds may seem cost-effective, but they lack flexibility.
Actively managed global funds adjust portfolios based on market conditions.
Professional fund managers help manage risks in different economies.
Actively managed funds can outperform during market downturns.
Evaluating Your Investment Strategy
If you were investing 5% in Nasdaq, consider how it fits your overall plan.
Stopping SIPs should not disrupt your long-term goals.
If you cannot continue, ensure other investments balance your portfolio.
Look for options that align with your risk appetite and investment horizon.
Taxation of Global Mutual Funds
Global equity funds are taxed like debt funds.
There is no benefit of lower taxation like domestic equity funds.
Gains are taxed based on your income tax slab.
If you hold for more than three years, taxation remains the same.
Keep tax efficiency in mind while choosing investment options.
What Should You Do Next?
Check with mutual fund houses about SIP availability in global schemes.
If SIP is unavailable, you can still invest through lump sum when the window opens.
Consider balancing global and Indian investments for better diversification.
Review your financial plan to ensure your goals stay on track.
Finally
Investing in global markets can be beneficial, but not without risks.
Active management is preferable over index-based global funds.
Ensure you are aware of taxation before investing.
Focus on a diversified portfolio instead of chasing one market.
Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

Ans: You have received Rs. 10 lakh from a friend for purchasing a house. The friend has stated that you can return it when your daughter starts earning. Since you have not been filing tax returns, let’s assess whether you should file a return and how to declare this amount.

Is Filing an ITR Necessary?
You don’t have taxable income, so filing is usually not required.
However, Rs. 10 lakh in your account can attract scrutiny.
To avoid future issues, filing an ITR is advisable.
It helps maintain transparency with the tax department.
How to Declare This Amount?
This is not a gift because a gift from a friend is taxable if above Rs. 50,000.
It is best to treat this as a loan.
Loans from friends do not attract tax but should be documented.
Declaring It Under the Right Income Head
A personal loan is not income, so it does not fall under "Income from Other Sources."
It is not taxable, but should be disclosed as "Loan Taken" in the balance sheet section of ITR.
If interest is paid on the loan, that interest will be taxable for the lender.
Steps to Ensure No Future Tax Issues
Keep a written agreement mentioning the loan terms.
The agreement should mention that repayment will be made after your daughter starts earning.
Ideally, the friend should transfer funds through a bank and not in cash.
If the tax department questions the transaction, you can show this agreement.
Final Insights
Filing an ITR is recommended for clarity.
Declare the amount as a loan, not a gift.
Maintain proper documentation to avoid future issues.
Ensure transactions happen through a bank for transparency.


Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

Ans: Your house owner is deducting tax from the extra rent you asked him to return. It is important to assess whether this is a fair deduction or if he is keeping a part of your money unfairly.

Understanding Taxation on Rental Income
Your house owner is a senior citizen and has five rental properties.
He receives rent from other tenants in cash, which may not be reported as income.
The rent he receives from you is directly deposited into his bank account. This means it is officially recorded.
He may be liable to pay tax on this recorded income.
Why Is He Deducting Tax?
If he is filing income tax returns properly, he should pay tax on total rental income.
The tax he pays depends on his total income, including all rental earnings.
If he has no other income, rental income is taxed as per his slab.
If his total taxable income exceeds the exemption limit, tax is applicable.
Assessing If He Is Cheating You
Your employer is paying Rs 9,000 rent, but your actual rent is Rs 4,900.
The extra Rs 4,100 should be returned to you in full.
He is deducting a tax amount before refunding, which raises concerns.
The tax rate he claims to deduct should be verified.
If he is keeping a significant portion, he may be misusing tax as a reason.
Steps to Verify the Tax Deduction
Ask him to provide a written explanation of the tax deduction.
Request a receipt or breakdown of how much tax he is paying on rental income.
Check his income tax return (if he agrees) to see if he is genuinely paying tax.
If he is hesitant, he may be deducting more than required.
What Can You Do?
Ask your employer to pay only Rs 4,900 directly to him instead of Rs 9,000.
If the employer insists on paying Rs 9,000, ask for an official agreement with the owner.
Clarify in the agreement that extra rent paid will be refunded without deductions.
If he refuses, inform him that you will consult a tax expert.
You can also ask him to show proof of tax paid on the deducted amount.
Handling This in a Legal Way
There is no rule that allows a landlord to deduct tax from refunded rent.
Rental income tax is the landlord’s responsibility, not yours.
He should pay tax on his total income, not on your refund.
If he is deducting an unusually high amount, it is unfair.
Alternative Options
Consider renting a different house where the rent payment process is straightforward.
If your employer allows, request them to revise the rent agreement.
Check if your company can provide a direct reimbursement to you instead.
Final Insights
Your landlord is responsible for paying tax on his rental income.
He cannot deduct tax from the amount he is refunding to you.
If he insists on deducting tax, ask for proof and clarification.
If he refuses to return the full extra amount, he may be misusing tax as an excuse.
You can take steps to ensure you receive the rightful refund.
Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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