Is My Financial Planning Enough for the Future? - 36-Year-Old PSU Employee with a Family

Ans: It's wonderful to see your proactive approach towards securing your family's future. Let's delve into your financial planning:
• Comprehensive Investment Approach: You've adopted a well-rounded investment strategy by diversifying across mutual funds, PPFs, SSY, and NPS. This approach spreads risk and maximizes growth potential.
• Planning for Children's Future: Investing in PPFs, SSY, and NPS for your children's education and future needs is a prudent move. These instruments offer tax benefits and long-term growth potential, ensuring financial security for their milestones.
• Assessing Sufficiency: While your current investment allocation is commendable, it's essential to periodically review and reassess your financial goals and resources. As your children grow and educational expenses increase, you may need to adjust your investment contributions accordingly.
• Long-Term Perspective: With a diversified portfolio and disciplined savings habit, you're on the right track towards achieving your financial objectives. Keep a long-term perspective and stay committed to your investment plan.
• Professional Guidance: Consider consulting with a Certified Financial Planner periodically to review your financial plan, assess progress towards goals, and make necessary adjustments. A CFP can provide personalized advice based on your evolving needs and market conditions.
• Encouragement: Your proactive approach towards financial planning reflects your commitment to securing your family's future. Stay focused on your goals, continue to invest systematically, and remain adaptable to changing circumstances.
• Final Thoughts: By adopting a disciplined and diversified investment strategy, you're laying a solid foundation for your family's financial well-being. Stay consistent with your savings and investment habits, and you'll be well-prepared to meet your future financial needs.

Ans: I see you have a well-structured financial situation. Let’s go through your details and provide a comprehensive plan for your financial goals and needs. You are 38 years old, a government employee in Jammu, with a net income of Rs 1,40,000 per month. You have two children, aged 9 and 5, and no bank loans. You and your spouse contribute to the NPS and have LIC policies, SIPs in mutual funds, term insurance, and a health policy. You are also planning for a housing loan. Let’s break this down and see if there are any improvements or adjustments needed.

Current Financial Overview
Income and Expenses
Net Income: Rs 1,40,000 per month
Expenses: Not explicitly stated, but assume moderate living costs due to small-town lifestyle.
Investments and Savings
NPS Contributions: Rs 17,000 per month (self) + Rs 14,000 per month (spouse)
Accumulated NPS: Rs 17 lakhs (self) + Rs 14 lakhs (spouse)
LIC Jeevan Labh Policies: Rs 38,000 per annum and Rs 32,000 per annum
Atal Pension Yojana (APY): Rs 5,000 each per month for both you and your spouse
SIPs in Mutual Funds: Rs 10,000 per month
Term Insurance: Rs 1 crore
Health Insurance: Rs 10 lakh family floater
Stock Investments: Rs 1,50,000 one-time + Rs 10,000 per month
Children’s Education Planning
You have started SIPs in three mutual funds aimed at long-term growth for your children’s education. This is a good strategy. Here are some tips:

Increase SIP Amount: As your income grows, consider increasing the SIP amount to ensure you are on track to meet the rising costs of education.
Review Fund Performance: Periodically review the performance of your funds. Ensure they align with your long-term goals.
Retirement Planning
You and your spouse are contributing to the NPS and APY, which will provide a solid retirement corpus.

NPS Contributions: Your contributions to NPS are substantial and will continue to grow with your DA and increments. Ensure you review your NPS portfolio and consider increasing the equity allocation for higher growth potential, if not already done.
APY: The APY contributions are a good addition to your retirement plan, providing a fixed pension post-60.
Insurance Coverage
Term Insurance: Your term insurance of Rs 1 crore is adequate for now. Ensure it covers your family’s future needs, considering inflation and rising costs.
Health Insurance: The Rs 10 lakh family floater health policy is good. Consider increasing the coverage as healthcare costs are rising rapidly.
LIC Policies
Your LIC Jeevan Labh policies are traditional plans with a mix of insurance and investment. While these provide guaranteed returns, the returns are relatively low compared to other investment options.

Continue with LIC: Since you have already paid premiums for several years, it might be wise to continue to avoid loss of benefits. However, assess if the returns meet your long-term goals.
Investment in Stocks
You have invested Rs 1,50,000 in stocks and are investing Rs 10,000 per month.

Diversify Portfolio: Ensure your stock portfolio is diversified across sectors to minimize risks.
Research and Monitor: Keep researching and monitoring your investments. Consider consulting a certified financial planner for stock investment advice if needed.
Housing Loan Planning
You plan to take a housing loan at age 40 for investment and tax rebate purposes.

Affordability: Ensure the EMI is affordable and doesn’t strain your finances.
Tax Benefits: A housing loan will provide tax benefits under Section 80C and 24(b). Calculate the benefits to see how it impacts your overall tax liability.
Property Selection: Choose a property in a location with good appreciation potential to maximize investment returns.
Emergency Fund
An emergency fund is crucial for financial security.

Fund Size: Ensure you have an emergency fund covering at least 6-12 months of your expenses. Given your income and responsibilities, a larger emergency fund is advisable.
Liquid Assets: Keep the emergency fund in liquid assets like a high-interest savings account or a liquid mutual fund for easy access.
Final Insights
You have a strong financial foundation with diversified investments and savings plans. Here are some additional steps you can take to optimize your financial health:

Regular Reviews: Conduct regular reviews of your financial plan. Adjust your investments and insurance coverage as needed based on changes in your financial situation and goals.
Financial Education: Keep educating yourself about new investment opportunities and financial strategies. Stay updated with market trends and regulatory changes.
Professional Advice: Consider consulting a certified financial planner for personalized advice and to ensure your financial plan is comprehensive and aligned with your goals.
With disciplined savings, strategic investments, and adequate insurance, you can achieve financial security and meet your long-term goals. Keep monitoring and adjusting your plan to stay on track.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

Ans: I appreciate your proactive approach toward securing your future. Let’s assess your current financial situation and outline a plan to ensure a comfortable and secure future. Given your investments and financial goals, we can build a strategy that aligns with your needs and aspirations.

Assessing Your Current Financial Position
Investments and Insurance
Your current corpus includes:

Rs. 32 lakhs in Mutual Funds
Rs. 25 lakhs in Equity
Rs. 15 lakhs in Fixed Deposits
Rs. 75 lakhs in Term Insurance
Rs. 5 lakhs in Medical Insurance
Additional house fetching Rs. 15,000 per month
Your wife is working in a PSU bank with a pension option, and your daughter is also employed. You have invested Rs. 25 lakhs in Mutual Funds for SWP, yielding 6% returns.

Monthly Income Needs
You aim to have Rs. 50,000 per month for your expenses. Currently, your investments provide approximately Rs. 35,000 per month from the SWP. Additionally, you receive Rs. 15,000 per month as rental income, totaling Rs. 50,000 per month.

Evaluating Your Income Streams
Mutual Funds and SWP
Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWP) are excellent for generating regular income. Your existing investment of Rs. 25 lakhs at 6% returns is a good start. You plan to invest an additional Rs. 40 lakhs, which will boost your SWP income. This is a prudent strategy, ensuring a steady cash flow without exhausting your principal investment.

Equity Investments
Your Rs. 25 lakhs in equity can potentially provide high returns. Equities are volatile but offer long-term growth. Regularly reviewing and rebalancing your portfolio with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can help you manage risks and optimize returns.

Fixed Deposits
Rs. 15 lakhs in Fixed Deposits provide safety and assured returns. While FDs are low-risk, they also offer lower returns compared to other investments. Maintaining a balance between FDs and other investments can provide stability.

Rental Income
Your rental income of Rs. 15,000 per month is a reliable source. Ensuring timely maintenance and tenant management will help sustain this income.

Enhancing Your Financial Plan
Diversifying Investments
While your current investment mix is good, diversification can further reduce risks. Consider adding more actively managed funds to your portfolio. These funds, managed by professional fund managers, aim to outperform market indices, offering potential for higher returns.

Benefits of Actively Managed Funds
Actively managed funds are advantageous as fund managers make strategic decisions based on market conditions. They can adapt to market changes, aiming to maximize returns and minimize risks. This dynamic approach can be beneficial compared to index funds, which passively track market indices.

Regular Funds vs. Direct Funds
Direct funds might seem appealing due to lower expense ratios, but regular funds have their benefits. Investing through a Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD) with CFP credentials ensures you receive professional advice. They help in selecting the right funds, timely reviews, and rebalancing, which is crucial for achieving your financial goals.

Managing Insurance and Medical Coverage
Term Insurance
Your Rs. 75 lakhs term insurance is substantial and provides a safety net for your family. Regularly reviewing the coverage to ensure it meets your current and future needs is essential.

Medical Insurance
Rs. 5 lakhs medical insurance is good, but considering rising healthcare costs, you might want to increase this coverage. A higher coverage will protect your savings from unforeseen medical expenses.

Retirement Planning
Wife's Pension and Income
Your wife's pension from the PSU bank will provide additional financial security. Combined with your investments and rental income, it creates a diversified income stream, reducing dependency on a single source.

Daughter’s Contribution
Though your daughter is working, it's essential to plan assuming financial independence. This ensures that your financial plan is robust and self-sufficient.

Creating a Contingency Fund
Having a contingency fund is vital for unexpected expenses. Typically, it should cover 6-12 months of living expenses. This fund should be easily accessible, like in a savings account or short-term FD.

Planning for Future Expenses
Inflation and Cost of Living
Inflation can erode the value of your money over time. It's crucial to factor in inflation while planning your future expenses. Regularly reviewing and adjusting your financial plan with a CFP can help mitigate the impact of inflation.

Major Financial Goals
Identify and plan for major financial goals, such as children's weddings, travel, or any significant purchases. Allocating funds for these goals in advance ensures you don't dip into your retirement corpus.

Estate Planning
Estate planning is essential to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes. Creating a will and regularly updating it can prevent legal complications for your heirs.

Monitoring and Rebalancing
Regular Portfolio Reviews
Regularly reviewing your investment portfolio with a CFP ensures it aligns with your goals. They help in rebalancing your portfolio, ensuring optimal asset allocation based on market conditions and your risk tolerance.

Adjusting SWP Based on Market Performance
SWP provides steady income, but it’s essential to adjust the withdrawal rate based on market performance. During market downturns, reducing withdrawals can protect your principal investment.

Final Insights
You have a well-structured financial plan in place. Your investments, insurance, and additional income streams provide a solid foundation for a secure future. However, continuous monitoring and adjustments are key to maintaining and enhancing your financial health.

Diversifying your investments, considering higher medical coverage, and regularly reviewing your portfolio with a Certified Financial Planner will help you navigate market changes and achieve your financial goals.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in