Hi Gurus, I'm 37+, monthly take home salary 2.17 Lakhs, married (wife working, earning decent salary, no kid as of yet). I contribute 32.4k pm (12% EPF + 10% VPF) towards PF (balance ~27 Lakhs), 14.7k pm towards NPS as Employer's contribution + 50k yearly towards Tier2 (balance ~11.6 Lakhs), 1.5 Lakhs yearly towards PPF (balance ~11.3 Lakhs) and have couple of LIC plans with SA ~11 lakhs maturing in 10 years. I also have MF SIP of 50k pm as below (total portfolio value ~19.7 Lakhs with small holdings in International Funds) which I wish to top up by 15% every year. 1. Kotak Small Cap - 3000 2. Axis Small Cap - 3000 3. Edelweiss Mid Cap - 3000 4. PGIM Mid Cap - 3000 5. PGIM Flexi Cap - 3000 6. Parag Parikh Flexi Cap - 5000 7. Quant Active Fund - 5000 8. Edelweiss Bal. Advtg. Fund - 3000 9. Mirae Assets L&M Cap - 5000 10. Canara Robeco Emerging Equity - 3000 11. Canara Robeco Bluechip - 3000 12. SBI Focused Equity - 5000 13. ICICI Pru. Focused Equity - 3000 14. Edelweiss US Tech ETF FoF - 3000 I have my own loan free home, health insurance from the company, no term insurance and a liquid emergency fund of 12 Lakhs. My average monthly expenses are around 1.3 Lakhs. I know I'm heavily into equity without having the balance of Debt or Gold, but for that reason I contribute towards FI instruments like PF, PPF as much as possible. Also I'm aware that my MF portfolio has become over diversified over the years. My ultimate financial target is to accumulate 10cr by my late 50s. Could you please suggest how far or diverted I am from my target and what all adjustments should I make to my overall investment portfolio.

Ans: Dear Srinivasa,

First of all, congratulations on your disciplined investment approach over the past decade. You have built a considerable corpus that should serve you well in the coming years.

Based on the information you provided, you currently have:

Mutual Funds: Rs 1.28 Crores
NPS (Tier 1): Rs 13 Lakhs
EPF and PPF: Rs 43 Lakhs
HUDCO and PFC Bonds: Rs 4.72 Lakhs (Rs 42,000 annual interest)
Rental Income: Rs 15,000 per month
Your goal is to generate Rs 50,000 per month starting next year.

Here's a suggested plan:

Continue your SIPs in mutual funds for the next 2-3 years, as you mentioned. This will help your corpus grow even further.
Utilize the interest income from the HUDCO and PFC bonds (Rs 42,000 per year) as a part of your desired Rs 50,000 per month. You can reinvest the interest income in a liquid fund or a short-term debt fund to ensure its availability when needed.
You can consider allocating a portion of your mutual fund corpus to a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) in order to generate the remaining monthly income needed. Assuming you require Rs 50,000 per month (Rs 6 Lakhs per year), you can use a small portion of your Rs 1.28 Crores corpus to fund this. Start the SWP next year to meet your monthly income requirement.
Your rental income of Rs 15,000 per month will serve as an additional source of income, which can be used to cover any unforeseen expenses or to reinvest in your portfolio.
It's advisable to keep your EPF and PPF investments intact until maturity, as they provide a safe and tax-efficient option for long-term wealth creation.
Please remember that the above plan is only a suggestion, and you should consult with a certified financial planner to create a personalized plan based on your specific financial situation and goals.

Wishing you the best in your financial journey.

Warm regards,

Ans: Hello Ramiz,

It's great to see your detailed investment strategy. You have made significant strides in planning for your future and your family. Your current investment portfolio is diverse and well-structured. Given your goal of accumulating a corpus of Rs 10 crore by the age of 50, let's review your investments to ensure they align with your objectives.

Current Investment Overview
Life Insurance Policies
You have invested in several LIC plans for yourself, your wife, and your children. While LIC policies provide financial security and maturity benefits, they often offer lower returns compared to other investment avenues.

Mutual Funds
Your mutual fund investments are a mix of equity and hybrid funds, with a focus on long-term growth. This is a good approach as equity mutual funds tend to provide higher returns over the long term.

Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs)
Your SIPs are spread across various fund categories, including small cap, mid cap, and blue chip funds. This diversification helps mitigate risk while aiming for significant returns.

Stock Market and Cryptocurrencies
Investing in the stock market and cryptocurrencies adds another layer of diversification. However, these investments come with higher volatility and risk.

Emergency Fund and Insurance
Planning to build an emergency fund of Rs 10 lakhs in liquid funds is wise. Your mediclaim policy and term plan ensure financial protection for your family.

Review and Recommendations
Life Insurance Policies
LIC policies are secure but may not offer the best returns for wealth creation. Considering the lock-in period and the lower returns, you might want to reassess these investments.

Consider Surrendering Policies: You could surrender some LIC policies and reinvest the proceeds into mutual funds or SIPs with higher growth potential. This can accelerate your corpus building.
Mutual Funds
Your mutual fund investments are generally well-chosen. However, let's focus on maximizing their potential.

Actively Managed Funds Over Index Funds: Actively managed funds have the potential to outperform the market, unlike index funds which mirror market performance. Your mutual funds should remain actively managed to benefit from professional expertise and potential higher returns.

Regular Plans Over Direct Funds: Regular plans offer access to professional advice through Certified Financial Planners (CFP), which can be beneficial for making informed decisions and navigating market complexities.

SIPs
Your SIP investments are well-diversified, which is excellent for balancing risk and return. Here are some additional thoughts:

Continue Diversification: Your SIPs in small cap, mid cap, and blue chip funds ensure a balanced risk profile. Continue this strategy to maintain growth and stability.

Review Performance Regularly: Keep an eye on the performance of your SIPs and make adjustments as needed. This ensures your investments stay aligned with market conditions and your goals.

Stock Market and Cryptocurrencies
While these are high-risk investments, they can yield high returns. Here's how to approach them:

Limit Exposure: Given their volatility, limit your exposure to stocks and cryptocurrencies to a small percentage of your overall portfolio. This will protect your capital while allowing for potential growth.

Stay Informed: Keep abreast of market trends and news related to your stock and crypto investments. This will help you make timely decisions and mitigate risks.

Emergency Fund
Building an emergency fund in liquid funds is a sound strategy. Liquid funds provide easy access to your money and offer some returns.

Regular Contributions: Make regular contributions to your emergency fund until you reach your Rs 10 lakhs goal. This disciplined approach ensures you are prepared for any financial contingencies.
Insurance
Your current insurance coverage seems adequate. The mediclaim policy and term plan provide necessary financial protection.

Review Coverage: Periodically review your insurance coverage to ensure it meets your family’s needs. Adjust the coverage if necessary to keep pace with inflation and changing life circumstances.
Planning for Children's Education
Building a corpus for your children's education is crucial. Here are some strategies:

Invest in Child-specific Plans: Consider child education plans that offer a mix of equity and debt. These plans are designed to provide significant returns over the long term and ensure funds are available when needed.

Regular Investments: Continue regular investments in SIPs and mutual funds. This will help grow the education corpus systematically.

Consider Education Loans: If required, education loans can supplement your savings and ensure your children receive the best education without financial strain.

Achieving the Rs 10 Crore Goal
To reach your goal of Rs 10 crore by the age of 50, focus on the following strategies:

Increase Investment Amounts
Boost SIP Contributions: Gradually increase your SIP contributions as your income grows. This can significantly enhance your corpus over time.
Optimize Portfolio Returns
High-growth Investments: Allocate a portion of your portfolio to high-growth investments like mid-cap and small-cap funds. These have the potential to offer higher returns.
Monitor and Rebalance
Regular Review: Conduct regular reviews of your investment portfolio. Rebalance it periodically to ensure it remains aligned with your goals and risk tolerance.
Tax Planning
Utilize Tax-saving Instruments: Invest in tax-saving instruments like ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Scheme) to reduce your tax liability and increase your effective returns.

Tax-efficient Withdrawals: Plan your withdrawals in a tax-efficient manner to maximize the amount available for your goals.

Final Insights
Your current investment strategy is robust and well-diversified. By making a few adjustments, you can optimize your portfolio to achieve your financial goals. Focus on high-growth investments, regularly review your portfolio, and ensure your insurance coverage is adequate. With disciplined investing and strategic planning, you are well on your way to achieving your Rs 10 crore target and securing your family’s future.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in