Home > Money > Question
Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |4357 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 23, 2024

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 23 years of experience in mutual funds and financial planning.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of Madras and is a certified financial planner.
He is the director and chief financial planner at Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based firm that offers financial planning and wealth management advice.... more
Tushar Question by Tushar on Mar 13, 2024Hindi
Money

Hello Sir, I am 38 years old and my wife is 37. We have 2 kids (1 boy 9 yr, 2nd boy 3 yr). My current investments are as below: I am swedish citizen, so I will always have to pay 30% tax on any profit as per sweden rules (If i pay 10% LTCG in india, then I have to pay remaining 20% in Sweden). Monthly in hand salary : 3L INR Home Loan : 75L (60L remaining) 75000/month EMI, loan will finish in next 6 years. Birla Sun life Classic Life Plan (Started Feb 2011, for kids education): Quarterly 15000 Aegon Life Guaranteed Income Advantage Insurance Plan (started Jan 2018, for kids education) : Yearly 97000 SIPs : (All Direct Growth) Parag Parikh flexi cap : 3000 Axis bluechip : 3000 Axis smallcap : 2000 Nippon smallcap : 5000 Tata Digital India : 1500 Mirae LArgecap & Midcap Fund : 2500 Total : 17000/month Question 1: I have capacity and want to increase my SIPs to 50000/month. Can you please help me with financial planning and review SIP portfolio and guide on which ones I can keep and which ones to replace by what fund, and which ones to increase sip amount. My risk capacity is medium to higher. Question 2: I dont have any medical insurance in India for any of my family member. However I plan to return to India in few years, may be 5-6 years. Can you guide me if I should buy medical insurance for all 4 of us already now or just 1/2 years before moving to India.

Ans: Your current investment portfolio shows a good start, but there is room for improvement. Given your capacity to increase your SIPs to ?50,000 per month, we can optimize your investments to better suit your medium to higher risk tolerance. Let’s review and enhance your portfolio.

SIP Portfolio Assessment
Your SIPs are diversified, but there are areas to refine for better performance.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund: This is a well-diversified fund. Keeping it is beneficial due to its flexibility across market capitalizations.

Axis Bluechip Fund: Bluechip funds are generally stable. This can be retained for consistent growth.

Axis Smallcap Fund and Nippon Smallcap Fund: Smallcap funds have higher growth potential but are volatile. Consider consolidating into one smallcap fund to avoid overexposure.

Tata Digital India Fund: Sectoral funds can be risky due to concentration in one sector. You might want to reduce or diversify away from this.

Mirae Largecap & Midcap Fund: This provides a balanced exposure. It’s good to maintain for growth and stability.

Recommendations for SIP Adjustments
To align your portfolio with your risk tolerance and increase your SIPs:

Consolidate Smallcap Funds: Merge Axis Smallcap and Nippon Smallcap into one fund. Choose the one with better past performance and management efficiency.

Increase SIP Amounts: Increase SIP amounts in Parag Parikh Flexi Cap and Mirae Largecap & Midcap funds. These funds provide good diversification and potential for steady returns.

Add a Diversified Equity Fund: Consider adding a diversified equity fund. Actively managed funds often outperform index funds, providing better returns through expert fund management.

Review Sectoral Exposure: Evaluate the allocation in Tata Digital India. If it’s too concentrated, redistribute to more balanced funds.

Insurance Planning
Medical insurance is crucial for financial security, especially as you plan to return to India. Here's how you should approach it:

Buying Medical Insurance Now vs Later
Immediate Purchase: Buying medical insurance now ensures coverage during visits to India. It also locks in premiums at a younger age, potentially saving costs.

Before Moving: If you prefer waiting, plan to buy insurance 1-2 years before moving. This allows time to understand policies and ensure coverage starts smoothly.

Family Coverage
Family Floater Plans: Consider family floater plans that cover all members. This is often cost-effective and ensures comprehensive protection.

Critical Illness Cover: Adding critical illness cover provides extra security against severe health issues. This can be crucial given the rising healthcare costs.

Tax Considerations
As a Swedish citizen, you face higher tax implications on investments. It’s essential to consider tax-efficient strategies:

Tax-efficient Funds: Opt for funds with lower turnover rates to minimize taxable events. Actively managed funds often strategically manage tax liabilities.

Long-term Investments: Focus on long-term investments to benefit from lower Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) tax rates. Ensure compliance with both Indian and Swedish tax laws to avoid double taxation.

Future Financial Goals
Given your medium to high-risk capacity, your investment strategy should aim for growth while balancing risk. Here's a holistic approach:

Children’s Education: Ensure your insurance plans align with your goals for children’s education. Continue with the Birla Sun Life and Aegon Life plans if they meet your expectations.

Home Loan Management: Continue managing your home loan efficiently. Early repayments can reduce interest costs, but ensure it doesn’t strain your liquidity.

Conclusion
Your financial strategy should blend growth and safety. Optimizing your SIP portfolio and securing medical insurance ensures a robust financial future.

Remember, actively managed funds can outperform index funds through strategic management, offering better growth. Consolidate your smallcap investments, increase SIPs in diversified funds, and consider tax-efficient options.

For medical insurance, early purchase provides better rates and immediate coverage. Family floater plans and critical illness cover offer comprehensive protection.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.
Money

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Omkeshwar

Omkeshwar Singh  | Answer  |Ask -

Head, Rank MF - Answered on Aug 11, 2021

Listen
Money
Below is my portfolio. Would highly appreciate if you can suggest if it is good or any changes required? Total current investment in SIP is Rs 12,000 (Which now I want to make it Rs 15K) kindly advise a good additional SIP for investing 3K monthly. Also let me know if the MF in lump sum are good? Or any changes required. I am now 45 years of age and my total savings as of date is Rs 13 Lacs only. Kindly advise how much more investment would I have to make to collect a good amount for my son's education and retirement - I have 2 son's aged 12 and 8. My current salary is Rs 1.5 Lacs and wife is also working with a salary of 30 K. Also I keep breaking SIP and lumpsum in between for emergency use. Let me know if that will affect my long terms plans of collecting funds SIPs: NAME OF MUTUAL FUND AMT INVESTED PER MONTH - (LONG TERM) Axis Focused 25 - Growth - RS - 2,OOO /- ICICI Prudential Focused Equity - Growth RS - 2,OOO /- HDFC Top 100 - Growth RS - 2,OOO /- Kotak Standard Multicap Fund - Growth RS - 2,OOO /- L&T Midcap - Growth RS - 2,OOO /- Motilal Oswal Multicap 35 - Growth RS - 2,OOO /- LUMPSUM NAME OF MUTUAL FUND AMT INVESTED LUMPSUM - (LONG TERM) DSP Focus - Growth RS - 1 LAC (INVESTED IN APRIL 2016) ICICI Pru Long Term Eq Fund ( Tax Sav) - Growth RS - 1 LAC (INVESTED IN APRIL 2016) Kotak Bluechip Fund - Growth RS - 1 LAC (INVESTED IN APRIL 2016) Nippon India DYNAMIC BOND FUND - Growth Plan RS - 1 LAC (INVESTED IN APRIL 2016) Mirae Asset Focused Fund - Growth RS - 50K (INVESTED IN AUG 2019) Mirae Asset Midcap Fund - Growth RS - 25K (INVESTED IN AUG 2019)
Ans: Prudent approach is to have the family covered for medical and life with pure insurance product.

Post that, create a corpus for emergency fund that should be 6 month of monthly expenses.

Only post that investment is recommended.

Depending upon your cash flows, mode of investment can be SIPs or lumpsums; however, SIPs are recommended.

Existing funds are okay; for further investment Axis ESG Equity Fund – Growth or UTI Flexi Cap fund – Growth can be considered

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |4357 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 26, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 29, 2024Hindi
Money
Hello, I am 43 Years old and earning in-hand 2.2+ lac per month, from this year I have started investment in MF SIP(60K/month), NPS(10% basic + 50k/yrs from past 5 yrs), PPF (12500/month from past 5 yrs), Emergency fund 3lac (FD), EPF(20+lac), No EMI(Debt free - hold 2 property), Term Plan (50 lac) + 1.5 CR (Corporates cover)-> have external plan for 1.5 CR more + minimum external medical insurance plan (Currently corporate medical plan of 15 lac available) Equity investment is 0. My monthly expense is around 50k. I have two kids 5 and 10 yrs old - need to plan for education and my retirement(at 60 age). I can invest more 80-90k/month, Risk capacity is high, please suggest. Requirement - Education 2 CR for (1 CR each Kid appx) and for retirement around 5 CR liquid cash.
Ans: It's wonderful that you have a solid financial foundation and a clear vision for your future. Let's review your current investments and suggest strategies to help you achieve your goals for your children's education and your retirement.

Current Financial Situation
Monthly Income and Expenses
In-hand Income: Rs. 2.2+ lakhs per month
Monthly Expenses: Rs. 50,000
Current Investments
Mutual Fund SIP: Rs. 60,000 per month (started this year)
NPS: 10% of basic salary + Rs. 50,000 annually (contributed for the past 5 years)
PPF: Rs. 12,500 per month (contributed for the past 5 years)
Emergency Fund: Rs. 3 lakhs (in Fixed Deposit)
EPF: Rs. 20+ lakhs
Term Plan: Rs. 50 lakhs + Rs. 1.5 crore (corporate cover) + additional Rs. 1.5 crore
Medical Insurance: Corporate plan of Rs. 15 lakhs + minimum external plan
Assets
Two Properties: Debt-free
Financial Goals
Children's Education: Rs. 2 crores (Rs. 1 crore for each child)
Retirement: Rs. 5 crores liquid cash by age 60
Investment Strategy
1. Enhance Equity Exposure
Given your high-risk capacity and long investment horizon, increasing your equity exposure is prudent. Equity investments can offer higher returns compared to other asset classes.

Increase SIP Amount: You can invest an additional Rs. 80,000-90,000 per month. This can be allocated to diversified equity mutual funds, mid-cap funds, and small-cap funds for higher growth potential.
2. Optimize Existing Investments
Mutual Fund SIPs: Continue your existing SIPs. Consider adding funds with a good track record and those that align with your risk appetite.
NPS: This is a good investment for retirement savings due to its tax benefits and long-term growth potential. Ensure your allocation is optimized between equity and debt within NPS.
PPF: Continue your contributions to PPF for tax-free returns and safety. However, PPF has a lower return compared to equities, so balance your investments accordingly.
3. Diversify Investments
Diversification helps manage risk and capture opportunities across different market segments.

Equity Funds: Increase investments in equity mutual funds. Consider large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds for a balanced growth portfolio.
Debt Funds: To balance the portfolio, consider debt mutual funds for stability and predictable returns.
Gold: Small allocation to Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs) can act as a hedge against inflation and market volatility.
Education Planning for Children
1. Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) for Education
Start dedicated SIPs in equity mutual funds targeted for your children's education. This will help in accumulating the required corpus systematically over time.

2. Child Plans
Consider investing in child-specific mutual funds or ULIPs that offer long-term growth and benefits tied to education milestones.

Retirement Planning
1. Retirement Corpus Calculation
With a target of Rs. 5 crores by age 60, let's ensure your investments align to meet this goal. A mix of equity and debt will provide growth and stability.

2. Retirement-Specific Funds
Consider investing in retirement-focused mutual funds and increasing your NPS contributions. These funds are designed to grow your savings efficiently over the long term.

3. Review and Rebalance Portfolio
Regularly review and rebalance your portfolio to align with changing market conditions and life stages. This will help in maintaining the desired asset allocation.

Risk Management
1. Adequate Insurance Cover
You already have substantial term insurance and health insurance coverage. Ensure they are sufficient to cover any unforeseen circumstances.

2. Emergency Fund
Maintain or slightly increase your emergency fund to cover 6-12 months of expenses. This provides a safety net for unexpected events.

Consultation with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
1. Personalized Financial Advice
A Certified Financial Planner can offer personalized advice, taking into account your specific financial situation, goals, and risk tolerance.

2. Expert Management
CFPs help in managing your investments effectively, optimizing returns while minimizing risks.

3. Comprehensive Planning
CFPs can assist with comprehensive financial planning, including tax planning, estate planning, and more, ensuring all aspects of your financial health are covered.

Example Investment Plan
Here’s a simplified example of how you might allocate your additional Rs. 80,000-90,000 monthly investment:

Equity Mutual Funds: Rs. 50,000 in diversified large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds.
Debt Mutual Funds: Rs. 20,000 for stability and income generation.
Gold/SGB: Rs. 10,000 for diversification and inflation hedge.
Regular Monitoring and Adjustments
1. Annual Review
Conduct an annual review of your investments and financial goals. Adjust your SIP amounts and asset allocation as needed.

2. Stay Informed
Keep yourself informed about market trends and economic changes. Staying updated will help in making informed investment decisions.

Conclusion
Your current investments and financial strategies are commendable and align well with your goals. By increasing your equity exposure, optimizing existing investments, and consulting a Certified Financial Planner, you can confidently work towards securing your children’s education and a comfortable retirement.

Your disciplined approach and willingness to invest more monthly will significantly enhance your financial security. Continue to monitor and adjust your investments regularly to stay on track.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |4357 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 08, 2024

Listen
Money
Hello, My name is AB from Delhi. My age is 34. I have my own house. Having rented income of 20k. In my family my wife she is 33 and Housewife, my daughter 10months and planning for a baby in a year. I am earning around 50k month. No loan, no debt nothing. I have 2 lacs in emergency fund. I am having 15k medical insurance for all 3 of us of 5lac and will increase it to 10lakh or more from next year. Term insurance of 1crore. Sukanya opened in April 2024. I am doing stock market but not more than 50k overall and not planning to invest more. I am doing 6 SIPs. Below are the details. All are Direct Plans. PFA Mirae large and Mid - 2500 (22nd Nov 2023) Parag Flexi cap - 3500 (22nd Nov 2023) Quant small cap - 3000 (18th Dec 2023) HDFC Flexi Cap - 2500 (15th March 2024) Nippon India small cap - 2500(28th March 2024) UTI Nifty 50 Index Fund - 2500(26th March) I have some 25lacs with me because I sold one of my property. So planning for property is there anything else I can do with 25lacs? My questions are as follows:- 1. Review my portfolio I will invest Max 20k a month Should I add more SIP's or should I change some from above? 2. My goals are my children's education and marriage. 3. Wealthy and Retirement plan 4. Lumsum Amount 5. Need some lacs in every 4-5 years like for admission or for some emergency. 6. Want a luxury life for my family. 7. After 20 years I want 2.5cr. How much and where I have to invest?
Ans: It's evident that you've taken proactive steps to secure your family's financial future, AB. Let's address your questions systematically:
1. Portfolio Review: Your current portfolio reflects a well-diversified approach with exposure to large-cap, mid-cap, flexi-cap, and small-cap funds. However, since your investment horizon is long-term, you might consider adding more mid-cap and small-cap funds to potentially enhance returns. Additionally, periodically review your portfolio to ensure it remains aligned with your goals and risk tolerance.
2. Children's Education and Marriage: Your SIP investments can serve as a solid foundation for funding your children's education and marriage. Consider increasing your SIP contributions gradually over time to meet these goals effectively.
3. Wealth and Retirement Planning: Given your current financial situation and goals, focusing on building a diversified investment portfolio comprising equity, debt, and other asset classes is crucial. Consult a Certified Financial Planner to develop a comprehensive wealth and retirement plan tailored to your specific needs and aspirations.
4. Lump Sum Investments: With the 25 lakhs from selling your property, consider diversifying your investments across various asset classes such as mutual funds, stocks, bonds, and fixed deposits to optimize returns and manage risk.
5. Emergency Fund: Your emergency fund of 2 lakhs is a prudent move. As your financial responsibilities increase, consider gradually increasing this fund to cover at least 6-12 months of living expenses.
6. Luxury Life: Achieving a luxury lifestyle requires careful financial planning and disciplined savings. Allocate a portion of your monthly income towards discretionary expenses while ensuring you prioritize long-term goals.
7. Long-term Wealth Target: To achieve your target of 2.5 crores in 20 years, focus on consistent investing in equity mutual funds, which historically have provided higher returns over the long term. Review your portfolio periodically and make adjustments as needed to stay on track towards your wealth accumulation goal.
Remember, financial planning is an ongoing process, and it's essential to periodically review and adjust your strategy based on changes in your life circumstances, financial goals, and market conditions. By staying disciplined and seeking professional guidance when needed, you can work towards building a secure financial future for you and your family.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |4357 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 16, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 16, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money
Hi, i am 42 years old 2 children 7 and 11 yrs each. earning currently 2 lakh net. I planning to create a retirement plan. I have done some investments but have never planned with specific goals so far. I intend to grow my money as much possible. And i am willing to take few risks, like i have started doing derivatives in options ( only nifty and I am not doing intra day). Please advice if my investment are reasonable and what are the other options i have to invest. Here are my assets and liability Land at current value : 70 lakhs Gold at current value : 21 lakhs Fixed Deposit : 10 lakhs PF balance : 11 lakhs Sukanya samridhi (annual1.5lakh) : 20 lakh Ppf for son ( annual 1.5 lakh): 14 lakh Direct equity ( 6 lakh invested) : current value : 17 lakhs Mutual Funds Franklin templeton tax saver growth( sip 4000) : 12 lakh Pp flexi cap growth(Sip 2000): 77 thousand Newly started Sip Quant small cap (sip 1000) Edelweiss momemtum (SIP) Liability ( car loan) : 20 lakhs
Ans: Given your age, income, and willingness to take risks, you have a decent mix of assets, but there are areas to focus on for a balanced retirement plan:

Assets:
Your assets are well-diversified with real estate, gold, fixed deposits, and various investment instruments like PF, Sukanya Samriddhi, PPF, direct equity, and mutual funds. However, your direct equity and derivatives trading can be volatile; ensure they align with your risk appetite.

Liabilities:
The car loan is a liability that can impact your monthly cash flow. Consider paying it off sooner to reduce interest costs and free up monthly income.

Suggestions:

Increase Equity Exposure: As you're willing to take risks, consider increasing exposure to equity mutual funds and direct equity investments.

Review Derivatives Trading: Be cautious with options trading due to its speculative nature. Ensure it doesn't dominate your portfolio.

Emergency Fund: Build a separate emergency fund to cover 6-12 months of expenses.

Health and Life Insurance: Ensure you have adequate health and life insurance coverage to protect your family's financial future.

Retirement Corpus: Calculate the required corpus for retirement based on your desired lifestyle post-retirement. Use a retirement calculator to estimate the monthly contributions needed to achieve this goal.

Diversify Investments: Explore other investment avenues like debt funds, international funds, to further diversify your portfolio and manage risks better.

..Read more

Latest Questions
Dev

Dev Ashish  |48 Answers  |Ask -

MF Expert, Financial Planner - Answered on Jul 08, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 08, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money
I am 28 years old unmarried currently holding salary of 64000 & investing 2000 in less & 500 in small cap fund..How much more investment required to secure future and generate a corpus of 4cr till 2044
Ans: For a target of Rs 4 Crore in the next 20 years, you need to invest about Rs 30-38,000 monthly assuming average returns of 10-12% per annum and that you will be able to increase your monthly investments by at least 5% each year in line with income/salary growth.

So given that you are investing about Rs 2500 in mutual funds each month right now, you will have to significantly increase this monthly contribution amount if you want to reach your target corpus.

We don't have information about your risk appetite. But assuming that it is at least moderately aggressive, then, you can start investing in a combination of largecap index funds, flexicap/large&midcap funds, midcap funds, etc.

Thanks
Dev Ashish,
SEBI Registered Investment Advisor (Fee-Only RIA)
Founder, StableInvestor.com
Twitter (@Stableinvestor)

Note (Disclaimer) - As a SEBI RIA, I cannot comment on specific schemes/funds that are provided or asked for in the questions in the platform. The views expressed above should not be considered professional investment advice or advertisement or otherwise. No specific product/service recommendations have been made and the answers here are for general educational purposes only. The readers are requested to take into consideration all the risk factors including their financial condition, suitability to risk-return profile and the like and take professional investment advice before investing.

...Read more

Dev

Dev Ashish  |48 Answers  |Ask -

MF Expert, Financial Planner - Answered on Jul 08, 2024

Listen
Money
Hello Sir, My aim to generate 25L in next 5 years thru Mutual funds and have started 5 SIP of 3000 each in these fund , 1. 1. Axis Bluechip Fund (Direct Growth), 2. Nippon India Large Cap (Direct Growth), 3. HDFC Small Cap (Direct Growth), 4. Parag Parikh Flexi Cap (Direct Growth), 5. Canara Robecco ELSS tax saver (Direct Growth). Please advise whether this funds are enough to generate the required corpes or I need to invest more.
Ans: For a target of Rs 25 lakh in the next 5 years, you need to invest about Rs 25-31,000 monthly assuming average returns of 10-12% per annum.

Right now you are doing Rs 15,000 monthly across 5 funds (with 3K SIP). So unless the returns generated by your funds are a lot more than that, it will be difficult to reach the target amount.

So you should try and invest as close as possible to the calculated amount of Rs 25-31,000 monthly. And assuming a reasonable salary growth and controlled expenses, you should try to increase the monthly investments each year in line with your income growth.

Thanks
Dev Ashish,
SEBI Registered Investment Advisor (Fee-Only RIA)
Founder, StableInvestor.com
Twitter (@Stableinvestor)

Note (Disclaimer) - As a SEBI RIA, I cannot comment on specific schemes/funds that are provided or asked for in the questions in the platform. The views expressed above should not be considered professional investment advice or advertisement or otherwise. No specific product/service recommendations have been made and the answers here are for general educational purposes only. The readers are requested to take into consideration all the risk factors including their financial condition, suitability to risk-return profile and the like and take professional investment advice before investing.

...Read more

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

Close  

You haven't logged in yet. To ask a question, Please Log in below
Login

A verification OTP will be sent to this
Mobile Number / Email

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to

Resend OTP in120seconds

Dear User, You have not registered yet. Please register by filling the fields below to get expert answers from our Gurus
Sign up

By signing up, you agree to our
Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Already have an account?

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to Mobile

Resend OTP in120seconds

x