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PF withdrawal after 60 years - Anil's question

Milind

Milind Vadjikar  | Answer  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Oct 15, 2024

Milind Vadjikar is an independent MF distributor registered with Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) and a retirement financial planning advisor registered with Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
He has a mechanical engineering degree from Government Engineering College, Sambhajinagar, and an MBA in international business from the Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune.
With over 16 years of experience in stock investments, and over six year experience in investment guidance and support, he believes that balanced asset allocation and goal-focused disciplined investing is the key to achieving investor goals.... more
Anil Question by Anil on Oct 15, 2024Hindi
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Hello Sir, Greetings. My name is Anil. I quit my last job in Sept 2021 and did not withdraw my PF amount till today. I will complete my 60 years in the next year. I have a continuous service af more than 22 years all PF account have transferred time to time when I joined the new organization. Please let me know whether I should continue to keep my PF balance in PF account and will I get the interest every year? Also please let me know when should I start with my PF pension? Thanks in advance for your guidance

Ans: Hello;

You should withdraw your EPF corpus immediately and invest elsewhere.

After 3 continuous years of no contribution, except interest, the EPF account becomes inoperative.

If you have opted for deferred pension you may receive EPS pension after completing 60 years of age.
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

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I have worked in India over 15 year and the company that I worked had deducted my PF from my salary and deposited in my PF account. 9 years back I left the job in India and relocated to Dubai. I didn't withdrew my PF and till certain period I was able to see my PF balance. Later I forgot about it and now when I try to login to my account, it doesnt allow me to login as my Aadhaar account was not linked to my PF account. I reached out to my employer and submitted all documents as suggested by my employer to activate my PF account and link my Aadhaar to my PF account . My question is, is it ok to keep my money in PF account until I turn 60/retirement age and withdraw the amount and take benefit of the pension fund. Or should I withdraw the amount now and invest it in FD or MF. I had not withdrawn my PF fund because I was aware that PF allow only 2/3rd of the PF fund to be withdrawn and 1 /3rd remain in the account under pension scheme that we receive as pension after retirement.
Ans: Your situation is quite common among professionals who have relocated abroad. It's great that you are considering your options wisely. Let's explore your options and see what might work best for you.

Understanding Your Provident Fund (PF)
Your Provident Fund (PF) is a long-term savings scheme to provide benefits during retirement. You have a significant amount accumulated from your years of service in India.

Keeping Money in PF Until Retirement
Leaving your money in the PF account until retirement has certain advantages.

Benefits of Keeping Money in PF
Safety and Security: PF is a government-backed scheme, offering high security.

Tax-Free Interest: Interest earned on PF is generally tax-free until withdrawal.

Regular Pension: Upon retirement, you will receive a regular pension from the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS).

Potential Drawbacks
Lower Liquidity: Funds are locked in until you reach retirement age, limiting access.

Inflation Impact: The fixed interest rate may not always keep pace with inflation.

Withdrawing PF and Investing Elsewhere
Alternatively, you can withdraw your PF and invest it in other instruments like Fixed Deposits (FD) or Mutual Funds (MF).

Benefits of Withdrawing and Investing
Higher Returns Potential: Mutual funds, especially equity funds, have the potential for higher returns.

Diversification: Investing in different instruments can spread and reduce risk.

Liquidity: Investments in mutual funds and FDs are more liquid, allowing easier access to funds.

Risks to Consider
Market Volatility: Equity mutual funds can be volatile and subject to market risks.

Tax Implications: Withdrawals from PF before 5 years of continuous service are taxable.

Evaluating Fixed Deposits (FD)
Fixed Deposits (FD) are a safe investment option but have their own pros and cons.

Benefits of FDs
Safety: FDs are low-risk and provide guaranteed returns.

Fixed Interest: You know exactly how much interest you will earn over the term.

Drawbacks of FDs
Lower Returns: FDs typically offer lower returns compared to equity mutual funds.

Taxable Interest: Interest earned on FDs is taxable, reducing net returns.

Evaluating Mutual Funds (MF)
Mutual funds can offer better returns, especially if you choose actively managed funds.

Benefits of Mutual Funds
Higher Returns Potential: Over the long term, mutual funds, especially equity funds, can provide substantial returns.

Professional Management: Fund managers handle investments, aiming to maximise returns.

Diversification: Mutual funds spread investments across various assets, reducing risk.

Disadvantages of Index Funds
Average Returns: Index funds mimic market indexes and provide average returns, which may not be optimal.

Lack of Flexibility: They cannot adapt to market changes like actively managed funds can.

Less Protection in Downturns: Index funds cannot avoid poorly performing sectors or stocks.

Choosing Between Direct and Regular Funds
When investing in mutual funds, it’s important to choose between direct funds and regular funds.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds
No Advisory Support: Direct funds lack guidance from a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).

Time-Consuming: Managing and choosing the right funds requires significant time and knowledge.

Higher Risk of Missteps: Without professional advice, the risk of making suboptimal choices increases.

Benefits of Regular Funds
Professional Guidance: Investing through a CFP provides expert advice tailored to your goals.

Regular Monitoring: A CFP regularly reviews your portfolio, making necessary adjustments.

Optimised Portfolio: CFPs ensure your investments align with your risk profile and goals.

Deciding the Best Course of Action
To decide whether to keep your PF or withdraw and invest, consider the following:

Personal Financial Goals
Time Horizon: If you have a long-term horizon, mutual funds might be suitable for higher returns.

Risk Tolerance: Assess your comfort level with market volatility and risks.

Financial Needs
Liquidity Needs: Consider if you need access to funds before retirement.

Tax Considerations: Evaluate the tax implications of withdrawing your PF and the tax benefits of other investments.

Conclusion
Deciding whether to keep your PF until retirement or withdraw and invest in other options depends on your financial goals, risk tolerance, and need for liquidity. Keeping your PF offers security and a regular pension, while withdrawing and investing in FDs or mutual funds could potentially offer higher returns. Consulting with a Certified Financial Planner can provide personalised guidance and help optimise your investment strategy.

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K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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I AM AN KARTA OF AN HUF. THERE IS SOME INVESTMENTS BY HUF IN ELSS MF WHICH HAS LOCK IN PERIOD OF 3 YEARS. I AM PLANNING TO FULLY DISOLVE MY HUF, AND DISTRIBUTE THE ASETS TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF HUF. HOWEVER BECAUSE OF LOCK IN PERIOD, I CAN NOT SELL MY ELSS MF. HOW DO I OVERCOME THIS SITUATION AND FULLY DISSOLVE MYHUF.
Ans: ? Understanding Your Current HUF Investment

– Your HUF has investments in ELSS mutual funds.
– ELSS funds have a strict lock-in of 3 years from investment date.
– During the lock-in, units can’t be redeemed or transferred.

? Legal Restriction During Lock-in Period

– ELSS units are non-transferable during lock-in.
– Even if HUF dissolves, these cannot be assigned to members.
– This is an SEBI regulation and applies to all ELSS units.

? HUF Dissolution and Asset Transfer Planning

– You can dissolve the HUF legally through a partition deed.
– But you cannot transfer ELSS units till lock-in ends.
– Other HUF assets can be partitioned and distributed.

– For ELSS, you must retain them under HUF until each unit’s lock-in ends.
– Once the lock-in is over, units can be redeemed or distributed.

? What You Can Do Now

– Step 1: Identify the investment date of each ELSS SIP or lump sum.
– Step 2: Create a schedule of lock-in end dates for each investment.
– Step 3: Initiate partition of all other movable and immovable assets.
– Step 4: Retain ELSS in HUF name till lock-in ends.
– Step 5: Dissolve HUF formally after that or close only after transferring.

? Treatment of ELSS Units During Dissolution

– Even if you dissolve the HUF now, ELSS cannot be passed to members.
– Mutual fund company won’t process ownership change during lock-in.
– Legal title remains with HUF till maturity of lock-in.

? Operational Way Forward

– Maintain HUF PAN and bank account till lock-in ends.
– One option: dissolve HUF except for ELSS units.
– Keep HUF active only to hold ELSS units till lock-in ends.
– After 3 years from each investment, redeem and distribute proceeds.

? Partition Deed with Clause for ELSS

– Prepare a written partition deed listing all HUF assets.
– Mention ELSS investments and their lock-in dates separately.
– State clearly that ELSS will remain under HUF till lock-in ends.
– Add clause to distribute ELSS proceeds post lock-in as per agreement.

? Taxation Implications

– During lock-in, ELSS continues to be taxed in HUF’s name.
– LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%.
– Short-term capital gains (if any from other assets) taxed at 20%.
– Post lock-in, when redeemed, gain is taxed under HUF.
– You can distribute only net amount to members.

? Family Agreement & Clarity

– Ensure all members of HUF agree on partition terms.
– Take written consent from each member to avoid future issues.
– Keep a notarised deed and record asset valuation clearly.

? Role of Certified Financial Planner

– A CFP can help create a step-wise strategy.
– Also helps in timing redemptions, handling taxation, and planning future reinvestments.
– If members want to reinvest ELSS proceeds individually later, CFP can guide well.

? Avoiding Errors

– Don’t try to transfer ELSS units to individuals before lock-in.
– This will violate fund terms and SEBI rules.
– Mutual fund house will reject any such transfer request.

? Future Planning Post Redemption

– Once ELSS units are redeemed, you can distribute as per partition terms.
– Each member can invest that in personal mutual funds.
– Regular mutual funds (non-ELSS) can then be held in their individual names.

– For new investments, avoid ELSS under HUF if dissolution is planned.
– Use individual accounts or family trust structures if needed.

? Final Insights

– You cannot bypass the ELSS lock-in through dissolution.
– You must wait for 3-year period to end for each investment.
– Till then, HUF must remain active to hold ELSS legally.
– All other assets can be divided through a proper partition deed.
– Plan dissolution in phases if needed.
– Maintain transparency among members.
– Once ELSS unlocks, redeem and distribute based on prior agreement.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

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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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