Retirement Planning: 63-Year-Old Doctor Seeking Investment Advice for Monthly Income and Daughter's Marriage

Ans: Current Situation Analysis

Your house in your native place is valued at Rs 45 lakh, with a housing loan of Rs 9 lakh. The rental income of Rs 6,000 per month may not be sufficient to justify holding the property if you are not planning to return in the next 10 years.

Evaluating the Options

Selling the House: Pros and Cons

Pros:

You can clear the housing loan of Rs 9 lakh.

You can invest the proceeds in higher-return assets.

Eliminates the hassle of managing a rental property.

Cons:

You may lose potential appreciation in property value.

Emotional attachment to the property.

Investment Options for Long Term

1. Mutual Funds:

Equity Mutual Funds: Suitable for long-term growth. Diversify across sectors and companies.

Hybrid Mutual Funds: Mix of equity and debt. Provides balanced growth with some stability.

2. Public Provident Fund (PPF):

Safe and tax-efficient.

Offers decent returns over the long term.

3. Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs):

Regular, disciplined investment in mutual funds.

Beneficial for averaging out market volatility.

4. Debt Mutual Funds:

For stability and regular income.

Less risky compared to equity mutual funds.

Final Insights

Selling the house and clearing the loan can free up capital for more productive investments. Diversifying into mutual funds, PPF, and SIPs can provide balanced growth and stability over the next 10 years.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

Ans: Yes it is advisable that you exit that non growing property investment and reinvest the proceeds in mutual funds for long term horizon.

*Investments in mutual funds are subject to market risks. Please read all scheme related documents carefully before investing.

Happy Investing

Ans: You are 64 years old and still earning Rs. 18 lakhs annually. Living on rent for Rs. 21,000 per month seems manageable. You have savings of Rs. 80 lakhs and no other liabilities. With your two daughters married, you and your wife are financially secure in terms of dependents.

You are considering purchasing a house worth Rs. 60 lakhs. This is a significant decision and requires careful evaluation.

Assessing the Need for Purchasing a House
Renting vs. Owning
You are currently paying Rs. 21,000 monthly in rent, which equals Rs. 2.52 lakhs annually. This is a reasonable amount compared to your income of Rs. 18 lakhs per year. Owning a house, however, will bring additional costs such as property tax, maintenance, and repairs. Let's consider the benefits and drawbacks of buying a house at this stage.

Advantages of Renting:
Flexibility to move if needed.
Lower ongoing financial commitment.
Savings can continue to grow and be invested elsewhere.
Advantages of Owning:
Stability and security of owning your home.
No monthly rent payments.
Potential long-term capital appreciation.
Buying a house would use up a large portion of your savings. It might limit your liquidity and leave you with less cash for emergencies or future needs. At your age, liquidity is crucial for managing unforeseen expenses, especially healthcare-related ones.

Liquidity and Emergency Planning
You and your wife need a financial cushion for healthcare and daily living expenses. Though your earnings are good, retirement could be on the horizon. The Rs. 80 lakhs you have saved should be allocated wisely to provide for your post-retirement years.

Buying a house will deplete Rs. 60 lakhs, leaving only Rs. 20 lakhs for other needs. This may not be sufficient for future healthcare, emergencies, or lifestyle expenses.

Investment Potential
House as an Investment Option
While buying a house may seem like a good investment, it is a less liquid asset. If you need cash in the future, selling property may take time. Property prices also fluctuate based on market conditions. In contrast, keeping your savings liquid in mutual funds, fixed deposits, or other financial instruments can offer flexibility and consistent growth.

A Certified Financial Planner would typically advise against locking up too much of your savings in real estate, especially at this age. It may be better to focus on investments that offer liquidity, safety, and steady returns.

Health Care and Long-Term Planning
As you and your wife age, healthcare costs will likely rise. Keeping a significant portion of your Rs. 80 lakh savings in easily accessible and growth-oriented investments is essential. Healthcare emergencies or long-term care may arise, and selling a house during such times might not be feasible.

Consider enhancing your health insurance coverage if needed. Also, set aside funds in safe, liquid investments that can be accessed easily during emergencies.

Evaluating Your Current Income and Expenses
You are earning Rs. 18 lakhs annually, which gives you good financial stability. Your current rent of Rs. 21,000 per month is reasonable compared to your income. This leaves you with plenty of room for savings and investments.

Buying a house worth Rs. 60 lakhs may disrupt this balance. You will not only lose liquidity but also face additional expenses like property tax, maintenance, and repairs. Renting, on the other hand, provides flexibility without burdening your finances.

Benefits of Actively Managed Funds over Real Estate
If you are considering investing your Rs. 80 lakhs, actively managed mutual funds can provide better returns and more flexibility than real estate. Actively managed funds have the potential to outperform the market, as professional fund managers can adjust the portfolio based on market conditions.

In contrast, real estate is an illiquid investment and can take time to sell if needed. Moreover, real estate prices can stagnate or even decline in certain areas, making it a less attractive investment compared to mutual funds that offer both growth and liquidity.

Disadvantages of Index Funds
Some people prefer index funds for their low fees, but they are not the best option for everyone. Index funds merely replicate the market performance and may not provide significant returns over inflation in the long run. Actively managed funds, on the other hand, can potentially beat the market and give higher returns, making them more suitable for long-term wealth creation.

Disadvantages of Direct Mutual Funds
You may have considered direct mutual funds because of lower expense ratios. However, these funds do not come with expert advice, which is crucial, especially when managing significant retirement savings.

Investing through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and a Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD) provides access to personalized guidance. A CFP will help you balance your portfolio based on your goals, risk appetite, and time horizon. This can make a big difference in managing your wealth efficiently.

Maintaining Financial Independence
Given your age and the absence of any liabilities, it is vital to maintain your financial independence. Your income is good, but in the coming years, you may want to transition into retirement. Financial independence means having enough liquid assets to cover living expenses, healthcare, and unforeseen emergencies without worrying about market fluctuations.

Locking a large portion of your savings in real estate could compromise your financial independence. In contrast, keeping your savings in a diversified portfolio of liquid investments ensures that you can continue to manage your expenses and live comfortably.

Final Insights
Here are some important points for your situation:

Liquidity: Retain liquidity to cover emergencies, healthcare, and lifestyle expenses.

Renting: Renting at Rs. 21,000 per month is affordable and gives flexibility.

Owning a House: Buying a house may limit your liquidity and increase your financial burden.

Investments: Actively managed mutual funds offer better growth and liquidity than real estate.

Healthcare: Consider enhancing health insurance and setting aside emergency funds.

Long-Term Financial Independence: Focus on investments that provide liquidity and steady growth for retirement.

At this stage of life, maintaining financial flexibility and independence should be the priority. Locking your savings into real estate may not be the best decision.

Best Regards,

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

Ans: Hello;

Following can be earmarked towards house purchase in Delhi(2.25 Cr):

1. Sale of RE property worth 90 L.

2. EPF balance of 30 L.

3. Direct stocks worth 80 L.

4. Part of MF balance worth 25 L.

Balance 1 Cr corpus in MFs will grow 1.25 in 2 years time frame.

50 L maybe allocated for son's higher education.

Balance 75 L may remain in mutual funds for additional 5 years.

Also you may begin a monthly sip of 2 L into a combination of pure equity mutual funds for 7 years duration.

The 75 L lumpsum and 2 L monthly sip will grow into sums of 1.32 Cr & 2.64 Cr respectively.

Hence your total corpus would be 3.96 Cr

You may utilise ~ 1 Cr for daughter's education and marriage.

If you utilise the balance 3 Cr to buy an immediate annuity from a life insurance company, you may expect a monthly income of 1.10 L(post tax).

This alongwith your monthly pension of 1 L will lead to a comprehensive retirement monthly income of 2.1 L.

Happy Investing;