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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 15, 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
Asked by Anonymous - Apr 14, 2024Hindi
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Hello I'm 44 years old and investing 50k per month in mutual funds.please tell which funds I choose to build a corpus of 8 cr. by retirement. Do I need to step up for achieving the same?

Ans: Building a corpus of ?8 crore requires a long-term, disciplined approach. Here's a general guideline (without specific funds):

Investment Horizon: You likely have 15-20 years till retirement. This allows for a growth-oriented strategy with a significant allocation (60-80%) in equity funds (large-cap, mid-cap, or flexi-cap).
SIP and Step-Up: Regular investing (SIP) is crucial. Consider a step-up SIP to increase your monthly contribution gradually to account for inflation and potentially reach your target corpus.
Diversification: Don't put all eggs in one basket. Include debt funds (20-40%) for stability as you near retirement.
Review and Rebalance: Regularly review your portfolio and rebalance (adjust asset allocation) to maintain your risk profile.
Seek guidance from a Certified Financial Planner for a personalized plan considering your risk tolerance and investment goals.
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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Hello Sir, I am aged 45 years now and want to create corpus. I have approx 50000/- INR per month as my savings. Please recommend good mutual funds which can grow my corpus for my retirement and children's higher education. Thank you.
Ans: With a monthly savings of 50,000 INR, you have a substantial amount to invest in mutual funds for both your retirement and your children's education. Here's a diversified portfolio you could consider:

Large Cap Funds: Invest around 30% of your savings in large-cap funds for stability and steady growth. These funds invest in established companies with a track record of performance.

Multi-Cap Funds: Allocate 30% of your savings to multi-cap funds, which offer exposure to companies of various sizes and sectors. These funds provide flexibility and potential for higher returns.

Mid Cap Funds: Dedicate 20% of your savings to mid-cap funds for potential high growth. These funds invest in medium-sized companies with growth potential.

Small Cap Funds: Allocate 10% of your savings to small-cap funds for aggressive growth potential. These funds invest in small-sized companies with high growth prospects.

Balanced/Hybrid Funds: Invest the remaining 10% in balanced or hybrid funds for diversification and stability. These funds invest in a mix of equities and debt instruments.

Remember to review your portfolio regularly and make adjustments as needed based on your financial goals and market conditions. Additionally, consider consulting with a financial advisor to tailor a strategy that aligns with your specific needs and risk tolerance.

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Asked by Anonymous - May 03, 2024Hindi
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HI I M 40 NOW. I WANT A CORPUS OF MINIMUM 1 CR WITHIN 5 YEARS. PLZ UPDATE WHICH MUTUAL FUND SHALL I TAKE AND HOW MUCH FUND TO INVEST MONTHLY.
Ans: It's great to hear about your financial goals. Let's explore how we can achieve a corpus of 1 crore within 5 years:

Considering your time frame and target corpus, we'll need to adopt an aggressive investment strategy.

Mutual funds offer a range of options suited to different risk profiles and investment horizons.

To maximize growth potential, we can focus on equity mutual funds with a proven track record of delivering consistent returns.

A systematic investment plan (SIP) would be ideal for you, allowing you to invest a fixed amount monthly.

By investing regularly in mutual funds, you can benefit from the power of compounding and market appreciation over time.

It's crucial to select funds that align with your risk tolerance and financial objectives.

As a Certified Financial Planner, I recommend conducting thorough research or seeking professional advice to identify suitable mutual funds.

Additionally, consider diversifying your investments across multiple funds to spread risk and optimize returns.

Regularly reviewing your portfolio's performance and adjusting your investment strategy as needed is essential to stay on track towards your goal.

Remember, investing involves risks, and it's essential to remain disciplined and patient, especially during market fluctuations.

With determination and strategic planning, achieving your target corpus of 1 crore within 5 years is definitely attainable.

Stay focused on your goal, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need further assistance along the way.

You're taking a proactive step towards securing your financial future, and I'm here to support you in your journey.

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Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 08, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 03, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi Purushottamji, My age is 49 years. I wanted to know what should be the corpus I should create if I have to retire around 65 years. I have invested in FD's for Rs 6 lakhs and equity mutual funds for Rs 19 lakhs. I have some funds of Rs 6 lakhs which I want to invest to create the retirement corpus. Should I consider investing in equity mutual funds or a multi cap mutual fund? Please provide some insights and advice.
Ans: You have started well, Purushottamji. Having Rs 19 lakhs in equity mutual funds and Rs 6 lakhs in FD at 49 years shows discipline. Planning now for retirement at 65 gives you around 16 years. This is a very useful period to grow wealth with a balanced risk approach. Let us see how to create the right corpus.

» Importance of Retirement Corpus
– Retirement corpus must replace your income after salary stops.
– It should cover monthly expenses for 25 to 30 years post retirement.
– Medical, lifestyle, and inflation must be considered.
– Without a strong corpus, you may depend on children or compromise lifestyle.
– A focused investment plan from now will give confidence and peace.

» Existing Position Assessment
– Equity mutual funds of Rs 19 lakhs is a good base.
– FD of Rs 6 lakhs is stable but returns are low.
– FD may give safety but inflation reduces its value.
– Keeping Rs 6 lakhs idle in FD may not help for retirement growth.
– Your extra Rs 6 lakhs available is an opportunity to boost growth.

» Role of Equity Mutual Funds
– Equity mutual funds give higher growth over long term.
– They are volatile in short term but reward patience.
– Over 16 years, market cycles balance out.
– Equity can multiply wealth faster compared to FD or debt.
– For your profile, equity allocation is essential.

» Role of Multi Cap Funds
– Multi cap funds invest in large, mid, and small cap in fixed ratio.
– They give exposure across market segments.
– Large cap offers stability, mid and small cap add growth.
– However, they do not give flexibility to fund manager.
– Some years, mid and small cap underperform badly.
– A pure multi cap fund may carry more risk than you want.

» Why Flexi Cap is Better than Multi Cap
– Flexi cap gives manager freedom to choose allocation based on market.
– When small caps look risky, manager can stay with large caps.
– When mid caps look attractive, allocation can be shifted.
– Multi cap funds do not allow this flexibility.
– For medium risk investors, flexi cap is usually better than multi cap.

» Why Not Index Funds
– Some investors think index funds are safer.
– But index funds cannot beat the index; they just copy it.
– They also fall when markets fall, without control.
– No active management, no protection, no chance of outperformance.
– Actively managed funds with expert decisions are better for retirement corpus.

» Why Not Direct Funds
– Direct funds look cheaper with low expense.
– But wrong selection without CFP guidance can reduce returns.
– Monitoring and rebalancing are not easy without expertise.
– Regular funds through Certified Financial Planner give right advice and support.
– Saving a little cost cannot match the value of right guidance.

» Ideal Allocation for You
– You have 16 years before retirement.
– 65 to 70% equity is suitable for you.
– Balance can go into debt mutual funds for stability.
– Within equity, combine large cap, flexi cap, and some mid cap.
– Avoid putting entire new Rs 6 lakhs into only multi cap.
– Split between large cap and flexi cap for balanced growth.

» Importance of SIP and Discipline
– Lumpsum investing in equity can be risky due to timing.
– Convert Rs 6 lakhs into systematic transfer to equity over 12 months.
– Continue monthly SIPs in equity mutual funds.
– This reduces risk and smooths out market ups and downs.
– Over 16 years, SIP discipline is more important than chasing best category.

» Monitoring and Rebalancing
– Review your portfolio every year with a Certified Financial Planner.
– Rebalance if equity grows beyond 70% or falls below 60%.
– Shift some gains from equity to debt closer to retirement.
– This protects your capital as retirement nears.
– A structured plan prevents emotional decisions during market falls.

» Tax Angle on Mutual Funds
– Long term equity gains above Rs 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%.
– Short term gains taxed at 20%.
– Debt fund gains taxed as per your income slab.
– Keep equity investments for long term to enjoy lower tax.
– Proper planning reduces tax outgo and increases net corpus.

» Lifestyle and Expense Planning
– Calculate current yearly expense.
– Assume inflation of 6% yearly till retirement.
– Retirement corpus must cover this rising expense for 25+ years.
– Health care costs will rise faster than inflation.
– Keep separate health insurance to protect corpus.

» Insurance and Protection
– Ensure you have term insurance till at least 60 years.
– This protects your family in case of uncertainty.
– Health insurance is equally critical.
– Without health cover, medical expenses can eat retirement corpus.
– Insurance acts like a shield for your investment plan.

» Finally
– You have made a strong start, Purushottamji.
– Rs 19 lakhs in equity and more to invest shows foresight.
– Avoid multi cap only; prefer a mix of large cap and flexi cap.
– Allocate 65 to 70% equity, balance in debt for stability.
– Avoid index funds and direct plans for your retirement goal.
– Invest Rs 6 lakhs systematically into equity over one year.
– Continue SIPs and review yearly with Certified Financial Planner.
– This approach can create a sufficient retirement corpus by age 65.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in

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

..Read more

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Asked by Anonymous - Dec 08, 2025Hindi
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Hi i am 40M. would request your help to understand what should be the corpus required for retirement as i want to get retired in next 3-5yrs. currently my take home is 2.3L monthly & my wife also works but leaving the job in next 2-3 months. we have a daughter 10yrs, currently i stay on rent and total monthly expense is 1.1L month. once i will retire we will shift in our own parental flat, where hopefully there will be no rent. current Investments 1. 50L in REC bonds getting matured in 2029 2. 42L in stocks 3. 17L in MF 4. 16L FD 5. 15L in PPF 6. 1.3L SIP monthly i do My Wife Investments 1. 30L corpus 2. flat with current value 40L and we get rental of 10K monthly. Please guide what should be the retirement corpus required combined to retire, assuming i need 75L for my daughter post grad and marriage and we would be requiring 75K monthly for our expenses after retiring
Ans: You have explained your income, goals, current assets, and future plans with great clarity. Your early planning spirit is strong. This gives a very good base. You can reach a peaceful retirement with smart steps in the next few years.

» Your Current Position

You are 40 years old. You plan to retire in 3 to 5 years. You earn Rs 2.3 lakh per month. Your wife also works but will stop working soon. You have one daughter aged 10. Your current monthly cost is around Rs 1.1 lakh. This cost will reduce after retirement because you will shift to your parental flat.

Your investment base is already good. You have saved in bonds, stocks, mutual funds, PPF, FD, and SIP. Your wife also has her own savings and rental income from a flat. All these create a good starting point.

This early base helps you plan stronger. It also gives room for more shaping. You are on the right road.

» Your Family Goals

You need Rs 75 lakh for your daughter’s higher education and marriage.

You want Rs 75,000 per month for family living after retirement.

You want to retire in 3 to 5 years.

You will shift to your parental flat after retirement.

You will have rental income of Rs 10,000 from your wife’s flat.

These goals are clear. They give direction. They allow a strong plan.

» Your Present Investments

Your investments include:

Rs 50 lakh in REC bonds maturing in 2029.

Rs 42 lakh in stocks.

Rs 17 lakh in mutual funds.

Rs 16 lakh in fixed deposits.

Rs 15 lakh in PPF.

Rs 1.3 lakh as monthly SIP.

Your wife holds:

Rs 30 lakh corpus.

A flat worth Rs 40 lakh with rent of Rs 10,000 each month.

Your combined net worth is healthy. This gives good power to build your retirement fund in the coming years.

» Understanding Your Expense Need After Retirement

You expect Rs 75,000 per month after retirement. This includes all basic needs. You will not have rent. That reduces cost. This assumption looks fair today.

Your cost will rise with inflation. So you must plan for rising needs. A strong retirement corpus must support rising cost for 40 to 45 years because you are retiring early.

An early retirement needs a large buffer. So you need safety along with growth. Your plan must include growth assets and safety assets.

» How Much Monthly Income You Will Need Later

Rs 75,000 per month is Rs 9 lakh per year. In future years, this cost can rise. If we assume steady rise, your future cost will be much higher.

So the retirement corpus must be designed to:

Give monthly income.

Beat inflation.

Support you for 40 to 45 years.

Protect your family even in market down cycles.

Allow flexibility if your needs change.

A strong retirement fund must support both safety and long-term growth.

» How Much Corpus You Should Target

A safe target is a large and flexible corpus that can support long years without running out of money. For early retirement, the usual thumb rule suggests a very high number. This is because you need income for many decades.

You need a corpus big enough to produce rising income. You also need a cushion for unexpected health costs, lifestyle shocks, and inflation changes.

Your target retirement corpus should be in a strong range. For your needs of Rs 75,000 per month and for goals like daughter’s education and marriage, you should aim for a combined retirement readiness corpus in the higher bracket.

A safe range for your family would be a very large number crossing multiple crores. This large range gives you:

Income safety.

Inflation protection.

Peace during market cycles.

Comfort in long life.

Room for daughter’s future.

Strong backup for health.

You are already on the way due to your existing assets. You will reach close to this range with systematic building over the next 3 to 5 years.

» Why You Need This Larger Corpus

You will retire early. That means more years of living from your corpus. Your corpus must not fall early. It must grow even after retirement. It must give monthly income and long-term family protection.

This is only possible when the corpus is strong and well-structured. A weak corpus creates stress. A strong corpus creates freedom.

Also, your daughter’s future cost must be kept aside. This must be parked in a separate fund. This must not touch your retirement money.

A strong corpus makes these two worlds separate and safe.

» Your Existing Assets and Their Strength

You already have good diversification:

Bonds give safety.

Stocks give growth.

Mutual funds give managed growth.

FD gives stability.

PPF gives tax-free long-term savings.

This blend is already a good start. But you need to make the blend more structured for early retirement.

Your Rs 1.3 lakh monthly SIP is also strong. It builds your future fast. You should continue.

Your wife’s rental income is small but steady. This adds strength.

Your combined financial base can reach your retirement target if you refine your allocation now.

» Your Daughter’s Future Fund Need

You need Rs 75 lakh for your daughter’s education and marriage. You should keep this goal separate from your retirement goal.

Your current SIP and future allocations should create a dedicated fund for this goal. A long-term fund can grow well when managed actively.

Do not mix this fund with your retirement needs. Mixing leads to shortage in old age. Always keep this corpus ring-fenced.

» A Strong Asset Mix For Your Retirement Path

A balanced mix is needed. You need growth assets to beat inflation. You also need stable assets for income.

You must avoid index funds because they do not give flexibility. Index funds follow a fixed index. They cannot make active changes in different markets. They cannot move to better stocks when markets change. They force you to stay in weak sectors for long. They also do not help you in down cycles because they cannot protect you by shifting to safer options. This can hurt retirement planning.

Actively managed funds are better because:

They give active asset selection.

They give scope for better returns.

They give flexibility to change sectors.

They give downside management.

They give access to a skilled fund manager.

They support long-term planning more safely.

Direct plans also carry risk. Direct plans do not give guidance. They do not give behavioural support. They do not give market timing help. They do not give portfolio shaping. They leave all the judgement to you. One mistake can cost years of wealth.

Regular plans with guidance from a Certified Financial Planner help you shape decisions. They help you remain disciplined. They help you avoid panic. They help you decide allocation changes at the right time. This saves wealth in long-term.

» How Your Investment Journey Should Grow in the Next 3–5 Years

Continue your SIP.

Increase SIP when your income rises.

Shift part of your stock holding into planned long-term mutual funds to reduce concentration risk.

Build a defined daughter’s education fund.

Keep a part of your REC bond maturity amount for long-term.

Avoid locking too much into fixed deposits for long periods.

Build a safety fund for one year of expenses.

This will create a full structure.

» Your Rental Income Role

Your rental income of Rs 10,000 per month is small but steady. Over time it will rise. This income will support your monthly cash flow after retirement.

You can use this for utilities or health insurance premiums. This gives a cushion.

» Your Emergency Buffer

You should keep at least one year of essential cost in a safe place. This can be in a liquid account or short-term fund. This protects you in shocks.

Since you plan early retirement, a strong buffer is important. It gives peace even in low months.

» A Structured Retirement Approach

A complete retirement plan for you should include:

A clear monthly income plan after retirement.

A corpus that can grow and protect.

A rising income system that matches inflation.

A separate daughter’s future fund.

A health cover plan for your family.

A tax-efficient withdrawal plan.

A market cycle plan to protect you in tough times.

This holistic approach keeps your family strong for decades.

» What You Should Build by Retirement Year

Your aim should be to reach a strong multi-crore range in investments before retirement. You already hold a large amount. You will add more in the next 3 to 5 years through SIP, stock growth, bond maturity, and disciplined saving.

Once you reach your target range, you can start the shifting process:

Move a part to stable assets.

Keep a part in long-term growth assets.

Create a monthly income strategy.

Keep a reserve bucket.

Keep a child future bucket.

Keep a long-term growth bucket.

This structure protects you in all market conditions.

» Final Insights

Your financial journey is already strong. You have a good income. You have saved well. You have multiple asset types. You have a clear timeline. And you have clear goals. This foundation is solid.

In the next 3 to 5 years, your focus should be on growing your combined corpus to a strong multi-crore range, keeping a separate fund for your daughter, reducing risk in unplanned assets, and building a stable long-term structure.

With the present path and a disciplined structure, you can retire peacefully and support your family with confidence for many decades.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

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Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

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Money
Hello my name is saket, I monthly salary is 43k and my saving is zero. My Rent is 15 k and 10 k i send to my parents. How can i save money and investments.
Ans: 1. Your Current Monthly Numbers

Salary: Rs 43,000

Rent: Rs 15,000

Support to parents: Rs 10,000

Left with: Rs 18,000 for food, travel, bills, and savings

You have very little room, but saving is still possible if done smartly.

2. First Step: Build a Small Emergency Buffer

You must build Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 emergency money.
This protects you from taking loans for small issues.

How to build it:

Save Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 every month in a simple bank savings account

Do this for the next few months

Don’t touch it unless truly needed

3. Create a Mini Budget (Very Simple One)

Try this split from the remaining Rs 18,000:

Daily living (food + transport): Rs 10,000 – 11,000

Personal expenses (phone, internet, basics): Rs 3,000 – 4,000

Savings + investments: Rs 3,000 – 5,000

If this feels difficult, reduce food/transport costs by small adjustments.

4. Where to Invest Once You Have Emergency Money

(For minors: This is general education. For actual investing, get guidance from a trusted adult or family member.)

After you build emergency money, start small monthly investing.

You can begin with:

Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 SIP in a simple, diversified equity fund

Increase the SIP whenever salary increases or expenses reduce

Avoid complicated products.
Keep it simple.
Focus on consistency.

5. Easy Practical Ways to Increase Saving

These small moves help a lot:

Avoid food delivery

Use public transport as much as possible

Reduce subscriptions you don’t use

Fix a daily expense limit

Keep a separate bank account only for savings

Even Rs 200 saved daily = Rs 6,000 monthly.

6. Increase Income Slowly

Try small income boosters:

Weekend tutoring

Freelancing

Part-time projects

Selling old gadgets

Learning new skills for future salary growth

Even Rs 3,000 extra income changes your savings life.

7. Build the Habit First

The amount doesn’t matter in the beginning.
The habit matters more.

Even saving Rs 500 every month is better than zero.
Once salary grows, you will already know how to save.

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.

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