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Can 28 Lakh SWP Provide 35k/Month for 46-Year-Old Facing Health Issues?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10841 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Mar 13, 2025

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
Asked by Anonymous - Mar 12, 2025Hindi
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Hello Sir, I am 46. Unemployed due to health reasons. I have 28 lakhs i want to invest in SWP . I need 35000 monthly. How long do I have before my fund runs out? How should I invest to make the most of it? I want my funds to appreciate as well to be atleast propionate to my need of 35000. Given- if i invest in lumpsum than I get higher number of units and if i take the SIP route it can negate the market volatility. Looking at the current market scanerio i believe it may take couple of years to see proper returns. I was also thinking of pooling the entire corpus in Aggressive debt funds and then do a SIP to an actively managed equity fund. Under these circumstances please provide fund names also. Thanks in advance.

Ans: You are 46 and unemployed due to health reasons. You need Rs 35,000 per month from your investments. Your goal is to make your funds last longer while allowing growth.

Let us analyse your options and create a plan.

Assessing Your Requirement
You need Rs 4.2 lakh per year (Rs 35,000 x 12 months).

Your corpus is Rs 28 lakh.

If you withdraw Rs 4.2 lakh annually without growth, your funds will last less than 7 years.

You need growth to sustain withdrawals for a longer period.

Challenges with a High SWP Rate
A SWP of 15% per year (Rs 4.2 lakh from Rs 28 lakh) is too high.

Safe withdrawal rates are usually 4-6% per year.

A high withdrawal rate will deplete your corpus fast.

Investment Strategy for SWP
You need a mix of equity and debt to balance growth and stability.

Step 1: Allocate Corpus Wisely
Equity (50%): Invest for growth.
Debt (50%): Keep funds for the next 5-6 years of withdrawals.
This approach helps maintain stability while allowing long-term appreciation.

Step 2: SWP from Debt Funds
Start your SWP from debt funds to avoid withdrawing from volatile equity investments.

Debt funds provide stability and minimise short-term risk.

This ensures your equity investments have time to grow.

Step 3: Systematic Transfer to Equity
Keep your equity allocation in a flexi-cap or multi-cap fund for diversification.

Invest in a systematic transfer plan (STP) from a debt fund to an equity fund.

This reduces market timing risk and balances volatility.

Expected Corpus Longevity
If your portfolio grows at 8-10% annually, your funds may last 10-12 years.

If the market performs well, your funds may last longer.

A lower withdrawal rate will further extend sustainability.

Alternative Options to Sustain Your Corpus
Reduce withdrawals: If possible, lower monthly expenses to Rs 25,000-30,000.

Part-time income: If health permits, explore work-from-home or passive income options.

Medical emergency fund: Keep at least Rs 2 lakh aside for medical needs.

Review investments: Rebalance every year to maintain growth and stability.

Final Insights
Your current withdrawal rate is high.

A balanced equity-debt approach can extend the longevity of your corpus.

Use SWP from debt funds and STP to equity for better returns.

Monitor the portfolio regularly to ensure sustainability.

If possible, reduce withdrawals slightly to make the corpus last longer.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner,

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

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10841 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 17, 2024

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I will be retiring In July 2024 . I am planning to invest 50 lac through SWP for a regular income . Where should I Invest i.e. which mutual funds and in what propertion . What should be my withdrawal % to ensure that my invested capital grows o=ver a period of 10 years substantially . Jagannath Khuntia
Ans: You plan to retire in July 2024.

You want to invest Rs. 50 lakhs for regular income through SWP.

You want your capital to grow over 10 years.

You need a balanced investment plan.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP)

SWP allows you to withdraw a fixed amount regularly.

It provides a steady income stream.

It is tax-efficient compared to traditional options.

Investment Allocation

Diversify your Rs. 50 lakhs investment.

Allocate funds across different mutual fund categories.

Equity Mutual Funds

Equity funds provide high growth potential.

They can offer 10-12% returns over the long term.

Consider allocating 60% of your corpus here.

Hybrid Mutual Funds

Hybrid funds balance risk and reward.

They invest in both equity and debt.

Consider allocating 30% of your corpus here.

Debt Mutual Funds

Debt funds provide stability and regular income.

They are less volatile than equity funds.

Consider allocating 10% of your corpus here.

Avoiding Index Funds

Index funds passively track the market.

They lack active management, which can limit returns.

Actively managed funds can outperform index funds.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds

Direct funds may seem cheaper but need expertise.

Regular funds, through a Certified Financial Planner, offer professional management.

They provide personalized advice and ongoing support.

Withdrawal Percentage

A safe withdrawal rate is 4-5% per year.

This ensures that your capital grows over time.

For Rs. 50 lakhs, a 4% withdrawal equals Rs. 2 lakhs per year.

Tax Efficiency

Equity funds are tax-efficient for long-term gains.

Hybrid funds also offer favorable tax treatment.

Debt funds provide stability with lower tax efficiency.

Regular Review

Review your portfolio regularly.

Adjust allocations based on market performance.

Seek advice from a Certified Financial Planner for tailored strategies.

Final Insights

Your investment should balance growth and stability.

Diversify across equity, hybrid, and debt funds.

A safe withdrawal rate and professional guidance ensure long-term growth.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10841 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 05, 2024

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Good evening Sir ; My queries are regarding SWP for really long term periods appx. 40 years . I am expecting a corpus about 3Cr. in the year 2030 when I will be retiring . My son is having ASD ( Autism ) thus very less scope to earn and manage finance independently in his carrier . So , I am planning to manage my corpus such a manner so that he will survive from this corpus till his 60 years of age . For that , I need to generate sufficient fund for more or less 40 years i.e. till 2070 . I am expecting a corpus of Rs. 3 cr. at the year 2030 , 100 % of which will be contributed by MF . Now , I am thinking to put the entire sum in SWP , in order to generate a regular monthly income because I don't see FD or other regular income schemes are not viable to produce a constant flow during such a long period . That's why , I am seeking your novel advices / guidelines in order to prepare a sustainable roadmap towards my future financial planning . for further information , I am assuming three of us will stay together till 2050 & my son will be alone say another 20 years . Also , I am expecting to withdraw 1.5 L per month from 2030 onwards which is divided into 3 equal proportion ( 50k x 3 ) , assuming there will be an average inflation of 6% throughout the time period ( as per inflation history of India since independence ) of 40 years . Now my questions are : 1. Is SWP the right method to sail through this journey comfortably ? Seek your advice for any better path / combination . 2 . What's the tax implication in SWP ? Kindly elaborate a little . 3 . If possible , kindly suggest the best fund ratio for SWP understanding my facts . I am available to provide any further information regarding this . thanking you in advance ; very best regards ; Suprabhat Jatty
Ans: Your concern for your son's future is commendable. Your goal of generating a steady income stream for 40 years through a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) is a prudent approach given your circumstances.

Addressing Your Questions
1. Is SWP the Right Method?

SWP is a viable option for generating a regular income from your corpus. It allows you to benefit from potential market growth while providing a steady cash flow.
However, it's essential to consider the following:
Market volatility: The value of your corpus will fluctuate with market conditions. This can impact the sustainability of your withdrawals.
Inflation: You've correctly identified inflation as a significant factor. It's crucial to ensure your withdrawal amount keeps pace with inflation to maintain your purchasing power.
Emergency fund: Having a separate emergency fund is advisable to cover unexpected expenses without dipping into your SWP.

2. Tax Implications of SWP
Debt Fund capital gains: If you redeem units, you'll pay capital gains tax, which is added to your income and taxed at your applicable income tax slab.

Long-term capital gains in equity funds: If you redeem units held for more than a year, you'll pay a long-term capital gains tax of 12.5% on the gains exceeding Rs. 1.25 lakh in a financial year.

3. Best Fund Ratio for SWP

Diversification is key. Considering your long-term horizon and the need for income, a balanced approach is recommended.
A mix of equity and debt funds can help manage risk and return.
The exact ratio will depend on your risk tolerance and the market outlook. A typical starting point could be a 60:40 equity-debt mix, but this can be adjusted based on your financial advisor's recommendations.
Regular rebalancing is crucial to maintain your desired asset allocation.

Ensuring Long-Term Sustainability
Regular Review
Annual Review: Regularly review the performance of your investments and the adequacy of the withdrawal amount.

Adjust Allocations: Adjust the equity-debt ratio if needed to maintain the corpus value.

Diversification
Multiple Funds: Invest in a variety of mutual funds to spread risk and enhance returns.

Rebalancing: Periodically rebalance the portfolio to maintain the desired equity-debt ratio.

Professional financial advice: Given the complexity of your situation, consulting with a financial advisor can provide tailored recommendations.

Final Insights
The SWP strategy is suitable for your long-term financial goals. It provides a stable income while allowing for potential growth. Keep in mind the tax implications and the need to adjust for inflation. A balanced mix of equity and debt funds will help in managing risks and ensuring sustainability.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10841 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 27, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 22, 2024Hindi
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Dear Sir, I am 58 years and recently retired from my employment. My PF amounts to Rs 1 Cr and i want to invest in Mutual Funds instead of keeping the money in the EPF account. Sir, i will need Rs 45,000 monthly for my monthly expsnses and thanks to your education, got to know about SWP. Sir, please advice how do i go about investing in terms of selecting funds and what amount in these funds. Will the corpus last me for 25 yrs at the monthly withdrawal rate of Rs 45,000. If it can last for 25 yrs, what will be my corpus at the end of 25 yrs. Thank you and anxiously look forward to your reply Best Regards & God bless
Ans: It’s great that you’ve accumulated Rs. 1 crore in your PF account. You’re thinking of moving this to mutual funds, and that’s a wise choice considering your long-term goals. Your monthly need is Rs. 45,000, and you’ve rightly pointed out the use of a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) to meet these expenses.

Investment Objective
Your primary goal is to generate Rs. 45,000 per month for your expenses while ensuring your corpus lasts for 25 years. You’re also interested in knowing whether there will be any remaining corpus at the end of this period.

SWP Strategy Overview
An SWP allows you to withdraw a fixed amount monthly while the rest of your investment continues to grow. The key is to select funds that provide a balance between growth and stability.

Selecting Mutual Funds
Equity Funds:

These funds provide higher returns, helping your corpus grow over time. However, they come with market risks. For long-term growth, equity funds in large-cap and multi-cap categories are preferable.
Hybrid Funds:

Hybrid funds offer a mix of equity and debt. They provide a balanced approach by offering moderate growth with lower risk compared to pure equity funds.
Debt Funds:

Debt funds are more stable but offer lower returns. They can act as a cushion, providing stability to your overall portfolio.
Asset Allocation
Given your goal and time horizon, a balanced approach is essential. You may consider the following allocation:

50% in Equity Funds:

This portion will help your corpus grow, keeping pace with inflation.
30% in Hybrid Funds:

Hybrid funds add stability and moderate growth, reducing volatility.
20% in Debt Funds:

Debt funds ensure a safety net, providing consistent returns without much risk.
Implementing the SWP
Start with Debt Funds:

Begin your SWP withdrawals from the debt portion. This ensures you’re not selling equity when the market is down.
Rebalance Annually:

Every year, review your portfolio. Rebalance it to maintain your desired asset allocation. This ensures that your funds are neither too risky nor too conservative.
Ensuring the Corpus Lasts for 25 Years
Return Expectations:

Assuming an average annual return of 8-10% from the portfolio, this approach should provide you with a stable monthly income.
Corpus Depletion:

Your corpus is likely to last for 25 years with this strategy. However, it’s important to monitor and adjust withdrawals according to the portfolio’s performance.
Estimating the Corpus at the End of 25 Years
Growth Potential:
While you’ll be withdrawing Rs. 45,000 per month, the remaining amount continues to grow. After 25 years, there may still be a significant corpus left, depending on the performance of the equity and hybrid funds.
Risk Management
Inflation Consideration:

Inflation will reduce the purchasing power of your Rs. 45,000 over time. It’s essential to review and adjust your SWP periodically to account for inflation.
Health Insurance:

Ensure you have adequate health insurance to cover medical emergencies. This prevents you from dipping into your corpus.
Emergency Fund:

Maintain an emergency fund outside of your investments. This covers unexpected expenses and reduces the need to withdraw from your mutual funds at an inopportune time.
Tax Efficiency
Taxation on SWP:
SWP from mutual funds is subject to capital gains tax. Equity funds are taxed at 12.5% for long-term gains over Rs. 1.25 lakh. Debt funds are taxed at the slab rate only for the gain to the extent withdrawn. Plan your withdrawals keeping tax implications in mind to maximize your net returns.
Finally
Investing your Rs. 1 crore PF corpus in a well-balanced mutual fund portfolio is a sound decision. By carefully selecting funds and implementing a disciplined SWP strategy, you can ensure that your corpus lasts for 25 years, providing you with a steady monthly income. Regular monitoring and adjustments will help you stay on track, and with careful planning, you may even have a significant corpus left at the end of 25 years.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Milind

Milind Vadjikar  | Answer  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Sep 22, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 18, 2024Hindi
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Dear Sir, I am 58 years and recently retired from my employment. My PF amounts to Rs 1 Cr and i want to invest in Mutual Funds instead of keeping the money in the EPF account. Sir, i will need Rs 45,000 monthly for my monthly expsnses and thanks to your education, got to know about SWP. Sir, please advice how do i go about investing in terms of selecting funds and what amount in these funds. Will the corpus last me for 25 yrs at the monthly withdrawal rate of Rs 45,000. If it can last for 25 yrs, what will be my corpus at the end of 25 yrs. Thank you and anxiously look forward to your reply Best Regards & God bless
Ans: Hello;

It would be advisable to invest your corpus lumpsum in hybrid conservative (debt oriented) fund type.

I recommend Kotak hybrid debt fund or SBI conservative hybrid fund both from the same category as mentioned above, suggested based on 5 year returns.

I recommend that you let the corpus compound for 2 years minimum.

Your corpus may grow to 1.17 Cr after 2 years assuming modest return of 8%.

Here if you do a 5% SWP then you may expect a monthly payout of 48750 per month for next 25 years.

At the end of 25 years you can expect a net corpus value of around 3.58 Cr(modest return of 8% considered) after deducting monthly payouts.

Other option for you could be to buy immediate annuity from an insurance company. Considering annuity rate of 6% you may expect to receive monthly payment of 50K from the next month onwards. It has various features for joint holding and return of purchase price after the end of annuity period(25 years for eg) or expiry of the annuity holder, to the nominee.

Do your due diligence and choose the best option suiting to your requirement.

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

Happy Investing!!

..Read more

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Reetika

Reetika Sharma  |354 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Nov 12, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 06, 2025Hindi
Money
I am 55 years old NRI. I looking forward my superannuation after 3 years at 58. Currently I have following investments (1) SIP MF Invested 1.4 cr, MV 2.01 cr. Montly SIP of 5.28 lakhs, can continue for 1 year more. MF Diversified into Small Cap 40%, Mid Cap 25% Large Cap 10%, Flexi Cap 15%. (2) FD for 1.0 cr @ 6.75% (3) Shares MV 40.0 lakh (4) CG Bond 19.0 lakh (5) 3 flats MV 2.25 Cr (6) Land MV 2.25 cr (7) 1 underconstruction flat Paid 50.0 laks, balance 1.5cr to be paid in next 2 years (8) 2 Sons education and marriage liability 2.5 cr in next 4 years. (9) Loan o/s of Rs 50.0 lakh (10) I am expecting monthly expenses of Rs 2.0 lakh per month. Pls advise suitability of my portfolio to generate montly income of Rs 2 lakh for next 30 years post retirement. If any additional investment or re-arrangement required, pls advise. My SIP are (a) Parag Parekh Flexi 50K (b) Aditya Birla Frontlline 23K (c) Mirae Large & Small 15K, (d) Nippon Growth 33K, (e) Nippon Large Cap 35K, (f) DSP small 12K, (g) Nippon Small Cap 27K, (h) Quant Small 49K, (i) Quant Active 25K, (j) Quant Flexi 25K, (k) HDFC Small 30K, (l) PGIM Midcap 51K, (m) Motilal Oswal Mid Cap 93K (n) Motilal Large & Midcap 29K and (o) Motilal Momentum 50 Index 31K.
Ans: Hi,

You are on the right path towards a steady and comfortable retirement post 3 years. Let us assess the entire financial one at a time.

1. FD - 1 crore. This entire amount can be treated as your emergency fund. Although use 50% of this fund to close your personal loan.
2. Direct equity - 40 lakhs. You can consider moving this entire allocation to mutual funds as direct equity investment is quite risky if you do not much about it.
3. CG Bonds - 19 lakhs - good debt investment option.
4. Life and health insurance - can increase the covers, specially now when you have time. Post retirment would be difficult for you.
5. 3 Flats worth 3 cr - with monthly rental income of 50k.
6. Plot worth 2.25 crores and Flat which will be fully paid before retirement from salary.
7. Physical Gold - good to carry.
8. Personal loan - 50 lakhs. Consider closing it using amount from your FD.
9. Current MF corpus - 2.08 crore with ongoing monthly SIP of 3.5 lakhs. It will become 4.25 crores at your age of 58 if you continue investing.

> Current ongoing SIPs have a lot of overlapping which should be avoided to get the best return on investments. This entire allocation needs a thoughtful and careful planning.
- For retirement, your current MF corpus and stocks would be sufficient to fund your retirement in addition to your rental income. You will also get your PF and gratuity while retiring. These will fund your retirement in initial 5 years.
- For later years, post the age of 63, start SWP from your MF portfolio wrt your expenses (inflation adjusted).
- Work with a professional to reallocate the funds in your current portfolio so as to fund your retirment wrt to retirment strategy.
- Refrain from buying any policy to lock-in your funds.
- A professional can design a bucket strategy for your mutual fund corpus. This way, you will get your monthly expenses and the rest portfolio keeps on growing. This fund will never end and you will leave a great fortune for your kids.

Hence do consult a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, requirements, financial goals and risk profile. A CFP periodically reviews your portfolio and suggest any amendments to be made, if required.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

...Read more

Reetika

Reetika Sharma  |354 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Nov 12, 2025

Money
Dear sir, Hope you are doing well. Sir I am central govt employee ,36 yrs of age working in Bengaluru . I have invested in lands in tier 2 cities 3 plots(in hubli) for which loan has been cleared. monthly sips of 12000 in MF for education of daughters which i am expecting to give me good compounding yield over period of 12 years from now. purchased stocks of 5 lakhs & kept it for long term. as of now i dont have any loans and my salary and expenses and savings are at par . I may relocate to hubli (my native also)as part of rotational transfer of my job. once i relocate i am planning to buy a house as i have left 23 years of govt service , Is it wise to go for home loan & emis for a period of 23 yeras or wait for some more time to shell off the existing plots . I have health and term cover . as part of job i may relocate again to bengaluru after 3 years again.& i wish to settle down in Hubli after my service. currently planning to rent a house in hubli which is near to kv school to avoid transportation hassles for daughters. 1.should i purchase a land which is near by kv or should i go for outskirts of the city ( i should consider travel distances for my daugters school &colleges)? currently one daughter is in 2nd standard other is in nursery. 2.any other investment would you suggest for good returns as i am expecting salary hike from 8 th pay commission.
Ans: Hi Ijaz,

If you relocate to Hubli, getting into another fresh loan for 23 years is not a wise decision. Instead wait for some years and shell off existing plots to buy a home later.
Also your overall savings seem less. you should consider increasing your investments in mutual funds instead of direct stocks to get benefit of compounding. Use the hike from upcoming pay commission completely into starting new aggressive SIPs for your future. This way, you can buy a home in Hubli faster than you may plan to and that too without any loan.

For SIPs, you should consult a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, requirements, financial goals and risk profile. A CFP periodically reviews your portfolio and suggest any amendments to be made, if required.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

...Read more

Reetika

Reetika Sharma  |354 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Nov 12, 2025

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Hi Sir, I am working in IT company and there is no job security I am 41 years old and my salary is 1.24 lakh monthly so I invest as much earliest to secure my future...plz suggest me Current investment PF 7 lakh. PPF 4.80 lakh (12500 Monthly investing) FD 4.5 lakh ( emergency fund) MF 8.50 Lakh HDFC Multicap fund 26k monthly SIP. HDFC Nifty 50 index fund 4k sip Jio BlackRock Flexi cap fund 18k sip just started. LIC and TATA AIA 8k monthly plan And Want to start 12k SIP in small & midcap fund. Target is 5 crore for retirement and want to achieve asap. Plz suggest if my allocations are correct and how I can achieve my goals as earliest
Ans: Hi Vijay,

You are right in saying that there is no job security. One needs to be prepared for times ahead.

- PF - continue this investment.
- PPF - not of use to you, hence contibute bare minimum of 500 only once a year to keep the account active. Instead redirect the 12.5k monhly to aggressive mutual funds tto build wealth.
- FD - for emergecny fund - good hold.
- LIC and Tata AIA - policies like these are of no use , usually give 4-5% return and lock your money. Try to surrender if not at loss and reinvest into balanced funds.
- MF - current SIP 48k with total corpus of 8.5 lakhs till now. The current funds are average and overlapping. Need reallocation. And want to take your monthly investment to 60k.

Consider investing in 4 funds - 1 largecap, 1 midcap, 1 smallcap and 1 flexicap - 15k each.

If you decide to stop PPF contribution and LIC tata policies - redirect those 20.5k per month to momentum funds.

Achieving it fast is very tough. Slowly and consistently - you can achieve this target of 5 crores in next 14 years with 10% annual stepup. And if you add additional 20.5k per month into contribution, this can be achieved in 12.5 years.

You can also a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, requirements, financial goals and risk profile. A CFP periodically reviews your portfolio and suggest any amendments to be made, if required.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

...Read more

Ravi

Ravi Mittal  |674 Answers  |Ask -

Dating, Relationships Expert - Answered on Nov 12, 2025

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Hello Sir, I'm really struggling with my family's behavior after my arranged marriage. They pushed me into it, and now they're constantly guilt-tripping me and badmouthing my wife and her family. It's getting really tough to handle, and I'm feeling overwhelmed. Can you please offer some advice on how to deal with this situation? I just want to be happy and have my family's support.
Ans: Dear Suraj,
I understand how difficult it must be when your family is giving you a hard time, especially when your wife is also suffering because of it. It is important to stand up for your partner if you think they are being unfair to her. It is important to set a boundary from the very beginning. Politely tell your family that while you love and respect them very much, you neither appreciate nor will tolerate this unfair treatment from them. Tell them that you expect their support, you expect them to love your wife as much as they love you, and most importantly, you never expected them to behave in this manner. Let them know how much their behavior has affected you. Sometimes people don’t understand that they are hurting someone with their words. And saying all these might create a little conflict, but it is important to stand up for what’s right, even if it is to family.

Other than that, communicate with your wife. Let her know that you are by her side and you realize that for no fault of her own she is suffering because of your family’s treatment and you are very sorry for that. Sometimes, even a few kind words from your partner can improve a situation.

Hope this helps.

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Reetika

Reetika Sharma  |354 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Nov 12, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Oct 12, 2025Hindi
Money
I am 55 years old and expecting a monthly expenses of INR 2.00 lacs post retirement at age 58 [i.e. after 3 years from now]. I have following investment as of now: [i] Monthly SIP of INR 3.5 lacs, expecting to continue till age 58. [ii] Present MF corpus stand at INR 2.08 crore [investment amt INR 1.34 crore [iii] FD for INR 1.00 crore @6.75% [iv] Equity Direct INR 45.0 lacs [v] CG Bonds INR 19 lacs, maturity 2029 [vi] Life Insurance INR 30.0 lacs, coverage till 65 years [v] Family floater Health Insurance INR 10.0 lacs - covering self & spouse [vi] One vacant plot - market value INR 2.25 crore [vii] 3 flats - market value INR 3.0 crore , all rented out generating rental of INR 6.0 lacs p.a. [viii] 1 under construction flat - Paid INR 50 lacs, remaining amt to be paid INR 1.5 crore - expected to be met by salary saving - no debt [ix] Gold - physical - INR 25.0 lacs [x] Liability towards 2 sons education - INR 1.5 crore spread over next 4 years and their marriages - INR 1.0 crore [xi] Personal Loan outstanding INR 50.0 lacs. Investment in MF is spread over small cap - 40%, mid-cap - 30%, large cap - 10%, Flexi Cap - 20%. Need your guidance towards (a) existing investment capability to generate a post-tax income of INR 2.0 lacs p.m. for next 30 years (b) if its not suitable, whats your advice to balance the existing investment or any additional investment required?
Ans: Hi,

You are on the right path towards a steady and comfortable retirement after 3 years. Let us assess the entire financial one at a time.

1. Current MF corpus - 2.08 crore with ongoing monthly SIP of 3.5 lakhs. It will become 4.25 crores at your age of 58 if you continue investing.
2. FD - 1 crore. This entire amount can be treated as your emergency fund. Although use 50% of this fund to close your personal loan.
3. Direct equity - 45 lakhs. You can consider moving this entire allocation to mutual funds as direct equity investment is quite risky if you do not much about it.
4. CG Bonds - good debt investment option.
5. Life and health insurance - can increase the covers, specially now when you have time. Post retirment would be difficult for you.
6. 3 Flats worth 3 cr - with monthly rental income of 50k.
7. Plot worth 2.25 crores and Flat which will be fully paid before retirement from salary.
8. Physical Gold - good to carry.
9. Personal loan - 50 lakhs. Consider closing it using amount from your FD.

Goals:
1. Sons education - 1.5 crores
2. Sons marriage - 1 crore
3. Post-Retirement income - 2 lakhs monthly

- For education and marriage goal, you can consider tossing your plot valued at 2.25 crores and invest the amount in balanced funds. These will be more than enough for both goals for your 2 sons.
- Retirement - The MF corpus and stocks would be sufficient to fund your retirement in addition to your rental income. You will also get your PF and gratuity while retiring. These will fund your retirement in initial 5 years.
- For later years, post the age of 63, start SWP from your MF portfolio wrt your expenses (inflation adjusted).
- Work with a professional to reallocate the funds in your current portfolio so as to fund your retirment wrt to retirment strategy.
- Refrain from buying any policy to lock-in your funds.
- A professional can design a bucket strategy for your mutual fund corpus. This way, you will get your monthly expenses and the rest portfolio keeps on growing. This fund will never end and you will leave a great fortune for your kids.

Hence do consult a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, requirements, financial goals and risk profile. A CFP periodically reviews your portfolio and suggest any amendments to be made, if required.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

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Reetika

Reetika Sharma  |354 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Nov 12, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 06, 2025Hindi
Money
Respected Experts, My monthly mutual fund investments at the moment is Rs. 40000 (total SIP gradually increased over past years) which I have been doing for the last 7 and half years. I am 42 yr old. My total portfolio value till now is around Rs. 42,50,000. I want to create a corpus of around 2.5 Crore in the next 10 years. 1. HDFC Children's Gift Fund - (Lock-in) - Regular Plan - Rs. 10000. 2. ICICI Prudential Midcap Fund - Direct Growth - Rs. 5000 3. ICICI Prudential Multicap Fund - Growth - Rs. 2000 4. Axis Large Cap Fund - Regular Growth - Rs. 4500 5. Axis Focussed 25 Fund - Regular Growth - Rs. 2000 6. SBI Focussed Equity Fund - Regular Growth - Rs. 4500 7. Invesco India Small Cap Fund - Regular Growth - Rs. 5000 8. Edelweiss Multi Cap Fund - Regular Growth - Rs. 7000 I want to increase the SIP of around Rs. 10000 in my mutual funds now to make total SIP value of Rs. 50000. I am thinking about increasing Rs. 7000 in Axis Large Cap Fund (which will take its total Sip value to Rs. 11500) and Rs. 3000 in Axis Focussed Fund (which will take its total Sip value to Rs. 5000). Kindly suggest me following two points: 1) Possibility of creating a corpus of around 2.5 Crore in the next 10 years with these funds and what should be the right yearly increase in my SIP value. 2) Increasing of SIP of Rs. 7000 in Axis Large Cap Fund and Rs. 3000 in Axis Focussed Fund is right choice or should I increase in my other mutual funds. Your expert opinion will be appreciated.
Ans: Hi,

At the age of 42, you are headig in right direction. And I really appreciate your dedication in investing for past 7.5 years and creating an amazing corpus for yourself.
Currently you are investing 40k monthly in mutual funds and want to increase it to 50k per month which is a very good decision as step-up SIP can make a huge positive impact in your wealth creation.

- If you continue investing at this pace, with a monthly investment of 50k for next 10 years, you can easily achieve 2.5 crores with a CAGR of 13%. And if you step-up with 10% yearly investment, you can get more than 3 crores after 10 years.
- However the funds you mentioned are lil overlapping. It needs some minor re-allocation. You have 2 multi cap funds and 2 focused funds. You can keep one of both the funds.
- Increasing 10k SIP - Add 3500 to Axis Largecap (total 8000), 6500 in good Momentum fund.

As your portfolio size is quite big, it would be really better for you to work with a professional who reviews your portfolio periodically and changes it as per the requirement.
Hence a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, requirements, financial goals and risk profile.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

...Read more

Anu

Anu Krishna  |1733 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Nov 12, 2025

Naveenn

Naveenn Kummar  |230 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF, Insurance Expert - Answered on Nov 12, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 10, 2025Hindi
Money
I’m a 27-year-old working professional. Around 10 months ago, due to an urgent medical emergency, I had to take a payday loan. Since then, things have gone downhill — I ended up borrowing from multiple lenders to manage repayments, and now the total outstanding amount has grown to around ₹8 lakhs. My monthly salary is ₹55,000. I’ve already exhausted all my savings, have no assets to sell, and borrowing from friends or family isn’t an option. I even tried applying for a debt consolidation loan, but that didn’t work out either. The lenders are now calling me constantly — even reaching out to my references — and they aren’t willing to negotiate or offer any settlement plan. I’ve already cut down my living expenses to the bare minimum, but I still can’t keep up with the EMIs. I know I made a mistake and have learned my lesson the hard way, but right now, I feel completely stuck. Can someone please guide me on how to get out of this payday loan debt trap? What practical steps can I take to manage or resolve this situation? Any advice would be deeply appreciated.
Ans: You are in a tough situation — but please know that you can recover from this. Many people who fall into payday or app-loan debt traps eventually manage to come out, provided they take disciplined, structured steps. The key now is to stop the bleeding, regain control, and rebuild systematically.

Let’s go step-by-step, calmly and practically.

1. Stop borrowing further

This is the most important step.
Every new short-term loan or “quick fix” will only deepen the hole.
Even if you miss payments now, do not take another app loan or credit advance to repay existing ones. You must stop the debt spiral.

2. List all your debts clearly

Write down every lender, outstanding balance, interest rate, and due date.
Prioritize them in three categories:

High-interest / payday apps (these can have 24–100% annual rates or hidden fees)

Personal loans / credit cards (moderate interest, regulated lenders)

Friends / informal borrowings (zero or low interest, but moral pressure)

Knowing exactly what you owe helps you plan repayment logically, not emotionally.

3. Prioritize survival, not perfection

Right now, your focus should be on keeping your job, maintaining mental stability, and avoiding harassment.
You are earning ?55,000/month — protect that income. Keep aside your essential expenses (rent, food, commute) first.
Whatever remains after necessities will form your debt repayment pool.

If, say, ?15,000–?20,000/month is what you can afford to repay, that’s your realistic capacity — not what lenders demand.

4. Communicate only in writing

Many payday lenders and app-based collectors use illegal intimidation — calling references, shaming borrowers, or using fake legal threats.
These tactics violate RBI guidelines. You have rights.

Do not argue over phone calls.

Ask for all communication in writing or email.

If they harass your references, you can file a written complaint with the local Cyber Crime Cell or email RBI Ombudsman (if it’s a registered NBFC).

Save all screenshots and call logs.

If a lender isn’t RBI-registered, it is an illegal app lender — and you owe them only what was actually disbursed, not inflated fees or harassment penalties.

5. Seek formal credit counselling

You can get free or low-cost help through registered credit counselling agencies:

DebtDoctor, DEBT CLINIK, ICICI Foundation’s Disha Financial Counselling, Abhay Credit Counselling (by RBI).

You can also contact CreditMantri, Paytm CreditMate, or your local bank’s grievance desk.

A counsellor will assess your situation and may help you design a repayment plan or even negotiate with legitimate lenders for rescheduling.

6. Try structured negotiation

Once you know your true monthly repayment ability, contact each legitimate lender (banks/NBFCs) with a written request like this:

“I’m facing temporary financial hardship due to medical expenses and job-related constraints. I intend to repay fully, but request a repayment restructuring or a reduced EMI plan for the next 6–12 months. Kindly treat this as a genuine request and allow time to regularize payments.”

Banks and registered NBFCs sometimes allow restructuring or moratoriums for genuine hardship.
App-based payday lenders often don’t — but even then, if they are illegal, you can stop engaging and report them.

7. Repair credit over time

Your credit score will dip temporarily, but it’s recoverable.
Once you stabilize your cash flow, start with a secured credit product (like a credit card against FD) to rebuild your record.
It may take 1–2 years, but it’s achievable.

8. Emotional and mental health check

Constant calls and pressure can cause anxiety and burnout.
Take this seriously. Talk to someone you trust, or seek online counselling support (e.g., MindPeers, YourDOST, Manas helpline).
Staying mentally steady is essential to executing your recovery plan.

9. Concrete monthly action plan

Here’s how to proceed starting this month:

Month 1–2:

Stop all new borrowing.

Prepare full debt list.

Inform each lender of your financial hardship.

File complaints if harassed.

Open a new clean salary account (avoid auto-debits).

Month 3–6:

Start paying small, regular amounts to the most aggressive or legal lenders.

Keep proof of each payment.

Negotiate settlements only with written confirmation.

Month 7–12:

Continue repayments systematically.

Begin rebuilding an emergency fund of even ?1,000–?2,000/month.

10. Long-term perspective

You are 27. You have decades ahead to rebuild your financial life.
Yes, this phase is painful — but it will pass. Once you clear these debts and recover stability, build these habits:

Never borrow for consumption or short-term gaps.

Maintain 6 months’ emergency savings.

Use credit only within your repayment capacity.

Track your net worth monthly.

hope atleast now taken health insurance

Disclaimer / Guidance:
The above analysis is generic in nature and based on limited data shared. For accurate projections — including inflation, tax implications, pension structure, and education cost escalation — it is strongly advised to consult a qualified QPFP/CFP or Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD). They can help prepare a comprehensive retirement and goal-based cash flow plan tailored to your unique situation.
Financial planning is not only about returns; it’s about ensuring peace of mind and aligning your money with life goals. A professional planner can help you design a safe, efficient, and realistic roadmap toward your ideal retirement.

Best regards,
Naveenn Kummar, BE, MBA, QPFP
Chief Financial Planner | AMFI Registered MFD
https://members.networkfp.com/member/naveenkumarreddy-vadula-chennai

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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.

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