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Should I invest a lump sum in equity mutual funds for long-term growth?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7014 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 06, 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
Visu Question by Visu on Sep 06, 2024Hindi
Money

I hold term plan for life insurance. I understand that, the amount of premium paid on term plan Will not be return back or accrue bonus. I have a premium commitment of Rs.25 k per year. To augment the premium commitment and to get back a lump sum at maturity, i am planning to set aside and invest Rs.3 lacs in equity mutual fund say HDFC capital builder fund under dividend plan which pays average dividend of 10% pa. to take care of life insurance term plan premium commitment, and this I will not disturb for next 30 years allowing it to grow. So that I will get 50 lacs after 30 years. I also understand the dividend is uncertain and I will honour the premium commitment if not available by dividend. Please suggest me, whether this option of investing lump sum investment in equity mutual fund allowing it to grow for 30 years.

Ans: You’ve made a wise decision by choosing a term plan for life insurance. Term plans provide high coverage at low premiums, ensuring financial protection for your family. The main drawback of a term plan is the absence of maturity benefits or bonuses. However, the primary goal is protection, and you’ve rightly focused on ensuring that commitment. Your Rs. 25,000 annual premium is manageable, but setting aside a larger lump sum to generate returns for the future is an interesting strategy.

Let’s analyze your approach of investing Rs. 3 lakhs in equity mutual funds to fund your premium commitment.

Assessing the Investment Strategy
You are considering investing Rs. 3 lakhs in an equity mutual fund. Equity funds have historically provided long-term growth, which is aligned with your 30-year investment horizon. The plan to leave this investment undisturbed is ideal, as equity investments require time to overcome market volatility and generate meaningful returns.

However, the dividend option in mutual funds, especially under an equity scheme, may not be the most reliable source for annual income to cover your premium.

Here’s why:

Dividend payouts are uncertain: As you mentioned, dividends are not guaranteed. Mutual funds do not promise a fixed percentage of dividends annually. Even if a fund has paid dividends in the past, future payouts can vary significantly based on market performance and fund decisions.

Dividend plans vs. Growth plans: In dividend plans, the mutual fund distributes a portion of the profits as dividends, which means less capital is left in the fund to grow. In a growth plan, all profits are reinvested, potentially allowing for more significant long-term compounding.

Taxation of dividends: Dividends are now taxable in your hands as per your tax slab. This could reduce your net return from dividends, making it less efficient than initially anticipated.

While dividends could supplement your premium payments in some years, it’s important to have a backup plan for years when dividends are lower than expected. You’ve acknowledged this uncertainty and your intention to honor the premium payments, which is a sound approach.

Evaluating the 30-Year Investment Horizon
Your 30-year time horizon is excellent for equity investments. Over such a long period, equity mutual funds have the potential to generate substantial returns through the power of compounding. While market fluctuations will happen, they generally even out over extended periods, favoring patient investors.

However, you’ve set a goal of achieving Rs. 50 lakhs after 30 years, which is possible but not guaranteed. Let’s review the factors that could affect this goal:

Market conditions: Over 30 years, markets go through cycles of ups and downs. Historically, equity markets have grown, but predicting exact returns is difficult. You may need to review your investment periodically to ensure it’s on track to meet your goals.

Fund performance: Actively managed mutual funds can outperform or underperform based on the fund manager’s decisions. It’s essential to pick a consistent performer and periodically evaluate its performance against benchmarks.

Inflation: Don’t forget inflation. Over 30 years, the purchasing power of money can decrease significantly. The Rs. 50 lakhs you’re targeting may not have the same value in the future. Therefore, aiming for a higher corpus may be wise to maintain the same purchasing power.

Why Equity Mutual Funds are a Good Choice
You’ve opted for equity mutual funds, which is a good decision for long-term wealth creation. Here are some key benefits:

High potential returns: Equity funds, especially diversified ones, have historically provided higher returns than debt or fixed-income options. This makes them suitable for long-term goals like yours.

Professional management: By investing in an actively managed mutual fund, you’re relying on a professional fund manager to make investment decisions on your behalf. This can be beneficial, as they have the expertise and resources to make informed choices.

Diversification: Equity mutual funds invest in a variety of stocks across sectors, reducing the risk of poor performance from any one sector or company affecting your overall investment.

However, it’s important to avoid relying solely on historical dividends as a source of income. Dividends are not guaranteed, and equity funds are primarily designed for growth rather than regular income.

Alternative Strategies to Consider
Given that dividends from mutual funds can be unpredictable, it’s wise to consider a growth plan instead of a dividend plan. Here’s why:

Power of compounding: In a growth plan, the returns are reinvested, allowing your investment to grow more effectively over time. The compounding effect is amplified over 30 years, giving you a better chance of reaching your Rs. 50 lakh goal.

Tax efficiency: Growth plans are also more tax-efficient than dividend plans. You won’t have to worry about paying tax on dividends each year. Instead, you’ll only pay capital gains tax when you redeem your investment, and long-term capital gains on equity are taxed at a lower rate.

Greater flexibility: With a growth plan, you can choose when to redeem your investment, giving you more control over when you pay taxes and use the money.

Consider setting aside the Rs. 3 lakhs in a growth plan and reviewing it every few years. This will allow you to adjust your investment strategy if necessary, ensuring that you stay on track for your Rs. 50 lakh goal.

Backup Plan for Premium Commitments
Since dividends are uncertain, it’s wise to have a backup plan for covering your Rs. 25,000 annual premium. Here are a few options:

Use surplus income: If you have surplus income from other sources, set aside a portion of it each year to cover the premium. This ensures that your premium payments are covered, even if the dividends fall short.

SIP in a debt fund: You can consider starting a small Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) in a debt fund or liquid fund. This can act as a safety net in case dividends are insufficient in any year. Debt funds are more stable and can provide moderate returns with lower risk than equity funds.

Emergency fund: If you don’t already have one, consider building an emergency fund. This can provide you with liquidity to meet your insurance premium payments in case of a financial shortfall in any given year.

Regular Review of Investments
Investing with a long-term horizon is excellent, but it’s equally important to review your investments regularly. Here’s what you should do:

Annual performance review: Check your mutual fund’s performance every year. If the fund is consistently underperforming, consider switching to another fund with better prospects.

Rebalance if necessary: Over time, your risk profile might change, or market conditions might shift. In such cases, you may need to rebalance your portfolio to align with your goals.

Stay updated with your financial goals: As time passes, your financial goals may change. You might decide you need more than Rs. 50 lakhs, or you might achieve this goal sooner than expected. Be flexible and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Building a Diversified Portfolio
While equity mutual funds are a good choice for long-term growth, it’s important not to put all your eggs in one basket. Diversification can help reduce risk and improve the stability of your portfolio. Here’s how you can diversify:

Equity funds: Continue to invest in equity funds for long-term growth. However, consider diversifying across different types of equity funds (large-cap, mid-cap, multi-cap) to reduce risk.

Debt funds: You can allocate a small portion of your portfolio to debt funds for stability. These funds are less volatile and provide more predictable returns than equity funds.

Gold: Gold is often considered a hedge against inflation and market volatility. You could allocate a small percentage of your portfolio to gold to add an element of safety.

PPF or EPF: If you aren’t already contributing to a Public Provident Fund (PPF) or Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), consider these options. They provide a fixed return and can act as a stable part of your long-term financial plan.

Final Insights
Your idea of investing Rs. 3 lakhs in equity mutual funds for 30 years is a sound one, provided you manage expectations around dividends and market performance. A growth plan might be a more efficient option, allowing you to build a corpus through the power of compounding. At the same time, ensure you have a backup plan for premium payments, such as using surplus income or maintaining an emergency fund.

Remember, the key to successful investing is patience, regular review, and staying adaptable to changing circumstances.

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.
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Milind

Milind Vadjikar  |616 Answers  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Sep 04, 2024

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I am having a term policy whose annual premium is Rs.25000; I understand that I will not get back the premium or maturity benefit. Therefore, I am planning to invest Rs.2,50,000 lumpsum or say Rs.5000 a day over a period of 50 days under STP from my liquid fund. I will not disturb the amount for 30 years and I will take the dividend assuming @ 10% on Rs.250000 to pay off the premium commitment. I also understand, in case of no dividend in any particular year, I need to honour the premium commitment out of pocket. Will this Rs.2.50 lacs investment will get me Rs.50 lacs after 30 years; in case of my survival, the maturity amount of Rs.2.50 lacs is Rs.50 lacs (presumed) or in case of death , within this 30 years, the nominee will get this 50 lacs from term plan and also get Rs.50 lacs from the mutual fund investment after 30 years. Is my idea is correct and investment of Rs.2.50lacs in equity fund will be suffice or should I need to invest more.? please guide and advise.
Ans: Never plan periodic payouts thru dividend mutual funds because their is no assurance about it.

Consider 25K per yr as a protection money(term plan premium) and invest the balance into equity mutual funds.

Had you opted for traditional endowment policy then your annual premium outgo would have been much higher with less surplus available for investing in mutual funds.

Alternatively you can invest lumpsum of 50 L in an conservative hybrid fund, let it grow for 3 years and then plan SWP to meet your premium payment needs.

*Investments in mutual funds are subjected to market risks. Read all scheme related documents carefully before investing

You may follow us on X at @mars_invest for more updates

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7014 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 17, 2024Hindi
Money
Dear Sir, I have another question: I have been investing in the Bajaj Allianz Life Goal Assurance Plan for the past five years, which is a combination of insurance and investment. The total premium payment duration is 10 years, with a SIP of ?10,000 per month, followed by a lock-in period of an additional 5 years So far, my monthly contributions of ?10,000 have grown to ?9.40 lakhs, with an approximate CAGR of 16%, although the insurance coverage remains at ?12 lakhs. Initially, I did not have much knowledge but continued investing due to the plan’s market-linked structure. For the first five years, my funds were allocated to Pure Stock II and Equity Growth funds basically large-cap. Recently, mid-cap and small-cap index funds were also added to their portfolio. Now that I’ve completed 5 years of investing in large-cap components, I am considering allocating the remaining 5 years to mid-cap and small-cap funds, without increasing the SIP. This would be done through a fund switch from large-cap to mid-cap and small-cap or by dividing the allocation equally—25% each across pure-stock, equity growth, mid-cap, and small-cap funds. Would you recommend this strategy while allowing the large-cap corpurs from the first 5 years to grow at their own pace and remaining 5 years switched into mid-cap/small-cap. Since the policy will mature in 2034, this gives me ample time for the investment to grow, allowing the corpus to build significantly over the remaining years
Ans: It’s great to see you’ve stayed consistent with your investments over the past five years. Your current strategy has already delivered an impressive CAGR of around 16%. This indicates that your investment in large-cap components has performed well.

Your decision to consider diversifying into mid-cap and small-cap funds shows good insight, especially since the policy matures in 2034. This gives you ample time to ride out market fluctuations and benefit from potential growth.

Let’s assess your plan step by step.

Maintaining Large-Cap Investments
Steady Growth Potential: Large-cap funds are known for stability and relatively lower risk. Since your large-cap investments have done well, letting them grow further without switching out entirely is a wise move. Large-caps often provide steady growth over time, even in volatile markets.

Balanced Risk: As you’ve already allocated five years to large-cap funds, you have a solid base that carries lower risk compared to mid-cap or small-cap funds.

Mid-Cap and Small-Cap Fund Allocation
Potential for Higher Growth: Mid-cap and small-cap funds generally offer higher growth potential but come with increased volatility. Given that you have another 10 years for the policy to mature, adding these funds now could give you enough time to capture the potential upside of these categories.

Diversification Across Market Segments: By allocating the remaining five years to mid-cap and small-cap funds, you’re essentially diversifying across different market segments. This could help in balancing your overall risk, while providing higher growth opportunities compared to sticking only with large-cap funds.

Fund Switching Strategy: Switching some of your existing large-cap corpus into mid-cap and small-cap might reduce the stability of your portfolio. Instead, continuing with the large-cap corpus and allocating future premiums to mid-cap and small-cap funds may provide a more balanced approach.

Suggested Allocation Strategy
Divide Equally Across Funds: Splitting your contributions equally among large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds seems like a balanced approach. You’ve mentioned an allocation of 25% each across pure-stock, equity growth, mid-cap, and small-cap funds. This could help in spreading out your risk while still allowing for growth opportunities.

Stay Consistent: Continuing with a steady SIP of Rs. 10,000 without increasing the amount for now is a good plan. Since you are already seeing good returns, consistency over time will be key to building your corpus further.

Evaluating Your Insurance Component
Insurance Coverage: Your current insurance coverage stands at Rs. 12 lakhs. Considering the policy is a combination of investment and insurance, it’s essential to evaluate if the coverage is adequate for your needs. Life insurance should primarily serve to protect your family, and if this amount falls short of your requirements, consider supplementing it with a term insurance plan.

Lock-in Period: Since there is an additional lock-in period of five years post the premium payment term, switching funds now and letting them grow for the next decade could be beneficial. You have ample time to ride out any short-term market volatility in the mid-cap and small-cap space.

Reviewing Your Fund Choices
Actively Managed Funds vs Index Funds: You’ve mentioned that your funds are market-linked, with some exposure to index funds. While index funds are often lower-cost options, actively managed funds can outperform them over time, especially in mid-cap and small-cap categories. Actively managed funds benefit from professional fund managers who can make strategic choices in response to market conditions, unlike passive index funds that simply track the market.

Switching to Actively Managed Funds: If a portion of your investments is in index funds, consider switching to actively managed mid-cap and small-cap funds. This will provide you with the advantage of professional management, especially in more volatile sectors like mid-caps and small-caps.

Final Insights
Long-Term Horizon: Your 10-year remaining investment window provides a good time horizon to take on the moderate risk associated with mid-cap and small-cap funds. However, always review your portfolio performance periodically to ensure it aligns with your long-term financial goals.

Balance Risk and Reward: By keeping your existing large-cap investments and diversifying into mid-cap and small-cap funds, you are effectively balancing risk with the potential for higher returns.

Insurance vs Investment: Review your insurance needs separately from your investment strategy. If the Rs. 12 lakh insurance coverage is insufficient, it’s advisable to take additional term insurance that provides higher coverage at a low cost.

It’s important to continue monitoring the performance of each fund and adjust the allocation if needed.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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Ans: It’s wonderful that you’re enthusiastic about getting back into the gym to work towards weight loss and a lean, toned physique! As a physiotherapist, I suggest scheduling regular check-ins with a physiotherapist to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your exercise routine. To effectively lose fat, particularly around the abdomen, while building muscle, try a balanced approach that incorporates both cardio and strength training. Start with 20-30 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio—like brisk walking, cycling, or jogging—three to five times per week to increase calorie burn. For strength training, focus on compound exercises such as squats, lunges, push-ups, and rows, with three sessions per week. Begin with lighter weights, increasing gradually as your strength builds, and focus on good form to develop lean muscle without bulk.

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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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