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

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10999 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 09, 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
Meenatchi Question by Meenatchi on Feb 28, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money

Hello Dev, I am 32 years old and would like to start SIP for 5k per month to create retirement corpus of 1 crore. Also would like to generate 30 lacs in another 10 years for closing housing loan. Already have three MF SIP as below. Quant active fund 1000 Quant ELSS tax saver fund 500 ICICI prudential corporate bond fund 150 Kindly suggest in which MF should I invest further and also how much should I increase the SIP amount to achieve the above goals. Thank you.

Ans: It's great to see your proactive approach towards planning for your financial future. Your dedication to investing is commendable.
Starting an SIP with 5k per month is a wise decision to create a retirement corpus of 1 crore. Additionally, generating 30 lakhs in 10 years to close your housing loan is a smart goal.
Considering your existing SIPs in Quant Active Fund, Quant ELSS Tax Saver Fund, and ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond Fund, you have a good foundation. However, to diversify your portfolio and align it with your goals, you may want to consider the following suggestions:
1. Equity-oriented funds with higher growth potential can help you achieve your long-term goals. Look into diversified equity funds or multi-cap funds for exposure to various segments of the market.
2. Since your investment horizon is long-term, you can afford to take slightly higher risks for potentially higher returns. Adding more equity-oriented funds can help you achieve this.
3. To generate the required amount for your housing loan closure in 10 years, you may need to increase your SIP amounts gradually. Consider reviewing your financial situation periodically and increasing your SIP contributions accordingly.
4. As a Certified Financial Planner, I recommend staying disciplined with your investments and adhering to your financial plan. Regularly review your portfolio's performance and make adjustments as needed to stay on track towards your goals.
By diversifying your portfolio and gradually increasing your SIP amounts, you can work towards achieving your financial objectives effectively.
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

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10999 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 18, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 07, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money
Hello, I am 32 years old and would like to start SIP for 5k per month to create retirement corpus of 1 crore. Also would like to generate 30 lacs in another 10 years for closing housing loan. Already have three MF SIP as below. Quant active fund 1000 Quant ELSS tax saver fund 500 ICICI prudential corporate bond fund 150 Kindly suggest in which MF should I invest further and also how much should I increase the SIP amount to achieve the above goals. Thank you.
Ans: Building Your Retirement Corpus and Closing Your Home Loan: A Two-Pronged Approach
Starting an SIP at 32 is a great decision! Let's analyze your current situation and suggest ways to achieve your goals:

Current SIPs:

Diversification: Your existing SIPs cover some diversification with a large-cap fund (Quant Active), tax-saving (Quant ELSS), and a debt fund (ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond).

Goal Alignment: Review if your existing SIP allocations are aligned with your goals. Consider increasing the debt fund SIP for your short-term goal (closing home loan).

Reaching Your Goals:

Retirement Corpus: Creating a ?1 crore corpus in a specific timeframe requires considering factors like investment horizon, risk tolerance, and expected returns. A CFP can help with calculations based on realistic assumptions.

Home Loan Closure: Generating ?30 lacs in 10 years is achievable with a focused approach. Debt funds and balanced funds can be suitable options, offering stability and some growth potential.

SIP Allocation and Increase:

Debt SIP Increase: Consider increasing your SIP in ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond Fund (or a similar debt fund) to accelerate your home loan closure.

New SIP for Retirement: Start a new SIP for retirement, focusing on equity funds with a longer investment horizon. Actively managed equity funds involve experienced fund managers who try to pick stocks to outperform the market. Actively managed funds come with higher fees compared to passively managed funds.

Risk Tolerance: Choose a mix of equity funds (large-cap, mid-cap) based on your risk tolerance. A CFP can help you determine the ideal asset allocation.

Professional Guidance:

Personalized Plan: A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can create a detailed SIP plan considering your risk tolerance, financial goals, and existing investments. They can recommend specific debt and equity funds based on your needs and suggest appropriate SIP amounts for each goal.
Remember:

Regular Review: Review your SIPs (at least annually) to ensure they remain aligned with your evolving goals and risk tolerance.

Market Fluctuations: Equity markets are volatile. Stay invested for the long term to ride out market ups and downs.

By taking action now, diversifying your SIPs, and potentially seeking professional guidance, you can work towards achieving your financial goals!

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10999 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 07, 2024Hindi
Listen
Money
Hello Sir, I want to invest 25k monthly in SIP with retirement and child education as investment goal . I am also planning to step up the SIP amount every year after I get the increment. Could you please tell me in which MF fund should I invest and how much should I increase the SIP amount very year. Target corpus ( investment horizon - 15 years) Retirement (least amount ) - 4-5 Cr Child Education - 4-5 Cr My wife is also working and can invest 15k more in addition to above amount.
Ans: Given your investment goals and time horizon, here's a suggested investment plan:

Retirement Corpus:

Allocate a significant portion of your SIP amount to large-cap, multi-cap, and diversified equity funds.
Large-cap funds offer stability, while multi-cap and diversified equity funds provide growth potential.
Gradually increase SIP amounts annually to keep pace with inflation and salary increments.
Child Education Corpus:

Diversify your SIPs across large-cap, multi-cap, balanced, and thematic funds.
Large-cap funds offer stability, while multi-cap and balanced funds provide growth potential with lower volatility.
Thematic funds can be considered for specific sectors or themes with growth potential, but exercise caution due to higher risk.
Combined SIP Allocation:

Allocate SIP investments based on your risk tolerance, investment horizon, and financial goals.
Balance the allocation between retirement and child education based on priority and time horizon.
Gradually increase SIP amounts annually to align with your financial goals and growing expenses.
Review and Monitoring:

Regularly review the performance of your SIP investments and adjust asset allocation if necessary.
Seek advice from a financial advisor to periodically assess your progress and make any required adjustments to stay on track with your goals.
By following a diversified investment approach and gradually increasing your SIP amounts over time, you can work towards building a substantial corpus for both your retirement and your child's education.

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10999 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 30, 2026

Money
I have invested Rs. 50000 in Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund and another Rs. 50000 in HDFC Flexicap Fund in July 2025 and while the former is always in red the latter is giving around 4- 5% return. Should I continue to remain invested in them or would you suggest switching to a a different fund.
Ans: First, I appreciate your discipline in investing and reviewing your funds soon after you started. That habit itself is a strong pillar of long-term financial success.

» Understanding your current investment situation
– You invested Rs. 50,000 in an actively managed mid-cap fund (Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund) in July 2025
– You also invested Rs. 50,000 in a flexi-cap equity fund (HDFC Flexicap Fund) at the same time
– The mid-cap fund is currently showing negative returns
– The flexi-cap fund is showing around 4–5 percent return

» Why performance can differ between funds
– Mid-cap funds tend to be more volatile, especially over short periods
– Early investment performance is not a reliable signal of future outcomes in equity funds
– Actively managed funds can differ significantly based on stock picks, sector bets and market cycles
– Equity funds need time (typically 5+ years) to smooth out ups and downs

» What to assess before deciding to continue or switch
– Time horizon: How long can you stay invested? Equity should ideally be for medium to long term (5 years or more)
– Risk appetite: Mid-cap funds swing more than diversified equity funds and need higher risk tolerance
– Fund objectives and style: Does the fund’s approach match your goals and conviction?
– Consistency of performance: Compare returns over multiple periods (1 year, 3 years, 5 years) relative to peers, not just since inception
– Fund manager experience: Long-term funds often benefit from stable and experienced management

» Should you remain invested or switch? (Practical assessment)
– For the mid-cap fund showing negative returns early:

Equity markets can move up and down in the short term. A few months of red should not be the sole reason to exit if your time horizon is 5 years or more.

If your comfort with volatility is low, consider shifting part or all of the amount to a less volatile equity category or balanced equity oriented option.
– For the flexi-cap fund with modest positive return:

Flexi-cap funds dynamically adjust allocation across market caps and help moderate volatility.

If the fund continues to align with your risk and goals, holding it makes sense.
– Do not make decisions based on short-term returns alone. Give equity adequate time to perform.

» Why actively managed funds serve you better in your case
– Market benchmarks (like index funds) simply mirror market movements without risk management choices. In falling phases, index funds have no active decision to protect capital.
– Actively managed funds can take defensive steps when markets weaken, and reallocate to sectors or stocks with better risk-reward prospects.
– For individual investors, this active oversight brings discipline and better behavioral support, especially in turbulent markets.

» How to decide if switching is needed (Step by step)
– Re-evaluate the mid-cap fund’s long-term prospects rather than recent performance
– Compare its performance with similar actively managed mid-cap peers, not the index
– If you find its strategy, risk profile or management lacking, consider a more diversified actively managed equity option suitable for your horizon
– Avoid switching too frequently, as this can erode returns and incur costs

» Final Insights
– Stay invested if your time horizon is 5 years or more and you can accept volatility
– Early red in mid-cap is not a reason by itself to exit, but do assess comfort level
– Actively managed equity funds offer better risk management than passive index approaches
– Periodic review every 12–18 months, not monthly, should guide your decisions

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

...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