Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help

Ramalingam Kalirajan |10874 Answers |Ask -Follow

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 10, 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

Question by Snehasis on Jun 23, 2024Hindi

Hello Dev, My wife has a corpus of 50L in mf, 35L in ppf and 8L in fd 15L in NSC no liability. No regular income required. What strategy to be taken for proper wealth creation. Age 54 and suffering from critical illness. Have two son one on job and other studing MBBS 2nd year student. MF 30 % Large cap. 20% Mid cap 20%small cap 20% flexi cap and 10% on gold.

Ans: Let's dive deep into the best strategy for wealth creation considering your wife's situation. It's great to see you both have a good mix of investments. Here's how you can optimize it further.

Analyzing Your Current Portfolio
Mutual Funds
Your wife has a well-diversified portfolio in mutual funds. The allocation is as follows:

30% Large Cap
20% Mid Cap
20% Small Cap
20% Flexi Cap
10% Gold
This distribution covers a wide range of market capitalizations and sectors.

Large Cap: These funds invest in companies with large market capitalizations, typically considered more stable. They usually provide steady returns with lower risk.

Mid Cap: These funds invest in mid-sized companies. They offer a balance of growth and stability, though they are riskier than large-cap funds.

Small Cap: These funds focus on smaller companies with high growth potential. They come with higher risk and volatility but can yield substantial returns.

Flexi Cap: These funds have the flexibility to invest across market capitalizations based on the fund manager’s outlook. They can capitalize on opportunities in any market segment, providing a dynamic investment approach.

Gold: Investing in gold provides a hedge against inflation and market volatility. It's a safe-haven asset that adds stability to the portfolio.

Public Provident Fund (PPF)
PPF is a long-term savings instrument with tax benefits and guaranteed returns. It’s a safe investment but offers lower returns compared to equity mutual funds.

Fixed Deposits (FD)
FDs are safe and provide guaranteed returns, but they generally offer lower interest rates. They’re good for capital protection but not for high growth.

National Savings Certificate (NSC)
NSC is another safe, fixed-income investment with tax benefits. It’s suitable for conservative investors looking for steady returns.

Suggested Strategy for Wealth Creation
Rebalancing the Mutual Fund Portfolio
Adjusting Allocations: Given the critical illness and the need for stability, consider reducing exposure to high-risk funds. Shift some investments from small and mid-cap funds to large-cap and balanced funds. This provides a steadier income and lowers risk.

Actively Managed Funds: While index funds track the market passively, actively managed funds can outperform the market through strategic decisions by fund managers. They adapt to market conditions and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Benefits of Regular Funds
Regular funds, managed by experienced fund managers, offer better potential for maximizing returns compared to direct funds. They provide professional oversight and can navigate market complexities effectively. Your financial planner can guide you on selecting the best-performing funds.

Enhancing Fixed Income Investments
Increasing PPF Contributions: PPF offers guaranteed, tax-free returns, making it a safe choice. If your wife has PPF contributions nearing maturity, consider extending them for continued benefits.

Fixed Deposits and NSC: FDs and NSCs provide safety but lower returns. Consider shifting a portion of these investments to more lucrative options like debt mutual funds, which offer better returns with moderate risk.

Exploring Debt Mutual Funds
Debt mutual funds invest in fixed-income securities like bonds and treasury bills. They offer higher returns than FDs and NSCs, with relatively low risk. They come in various categories:

Short-Term Debt Funds: These invest in short-term bonds, providing moderate returns with low risk. They are suitable for those needing liquidity and safety.

Corporate Bond Funds: These invest in high-quality corporate bonds, offering better returns with moderate risk. They are ideal for a conservative yet growth-oriented approach.

Dynamic Bond Funds: These funds adjust their portfolios based on interest rate movements, aiming for optimal returns. They require a longer investment horizon but provide good returns with managed risk.

Building an Emergency Fund
Given your wife’s critical illness, maintaining a substantial emergency fund is crucial. This fund should cover at least 6-12 months of expenses and be easily accessible. A mix of liquid funds, savings accounts, and short-term FDs is recommended for this purpose.

Insurance and Healthcare
Health Insurance: Ensure your wife has comprehensive health insurance to cover medical expenses. A critical illness cover can provide a lump sum to manage healthcare costs.

Life Insurance: Adequate life insurance ensures financial stability for your family in case of unforeseen events. It can cover outstanding debts, education expenses for your son, and maintain your family's standard of living.

Planning for Sons' Education and Future
Education Fund: Your younger son’s education in MBBS is costly. Consider earmarking specific investments for this purpose, like Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana or dedicated education funds, ensuring they grow steadily.

Financial Independence: Guide your employed son to start his investments early. Encourage him to save and invest in a mix of equity and debt funds, building a solid financial foundation for his future.

Reviewing and Monitoring Investments
Regularly reviewing your portfolio is essential. Assess the performance of each investment at least annually. Rebalance the portfolio based on changing market conditions and your financial goals. Use the services of a Certified Financial Planner for professional advice and periodic reviews.

Risk Management and Diversification
Diversification: Diversification minimizes risk and maximizes returns by spreading investments across different asset classes. Ensure your portfolio remains well-diversified to cushion against market volatility.

Risk Tolerance: Align your investments with your risk tolerance, especially considering your wife’s health condition. Prioritize safety and stability over aggressive growth.

The Power of Compounding
Compounding is a powerful tool for wealth creation. Reinvesting your earnings helps grow your wealth exponentially over time. Ensure that your investments in mutual funds and other instruments are set to reinvest returns for maximum growth.

Tax Efficiency
Tax Planning: Effective tax planning helps maximize returns. Utilize tax-saving instruments like ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Scheme), PPF, and NSC. Seek advice from your financial planner to optimize your tax liability.

Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG): Investments held for over a year qualify for LTCG, which are taxed at a lower rate. Plan your investments to benefit from these tax advantages.

Final Insights
Your wife’s portfolio is diverse and well-structured, but fine-tuning can enhance stability and growth. Prioritize health and life insurance, maintain an emergency fund, and plan for your sons’ education. Regular monitoring and professional advice will ensure you stay on track for wealth creation.

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.