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Ulhas

Ulhas Joshi  |280 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Fund Expert - Answered on Jul 20, 2023

With over 16 years of experience in the mutual fund industry, Ulhas Joshi has helped numerous clients choose the right funds and create wealth.
Prior to joining RankMF as CEO, he was vice president (sales) at IDBI Asset Management Ltd.
Joshi holds an MBA in marketing from Barkatullah University, Bhopal.... more
Rajit Question by Rajit on Jul 20, 2023Hindi
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how much shall I invest in SIP on monthly basis considering my retirement at 60

Ans: Hello Rajit and thanks for writing to me. Please share relevant details like your current age, the amount you can invest monthly, your goals and risk appetite for me to recommend schemes.
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

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 17, 2024

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Hi I am currently 50 years old... Could u guide me as to what amount of monthly SIP should I put and in to which funds so as to generate a monthly retirement payout of 2 lac every month at the age of 60 years
Ans: Planning for Retirement Income
Understanding Your Goal
Planning for a monthly retirement payout of 2 lakhs at the age of 60 is a commendable goal and requires careful financial planning.
Assessing Your Current Situation
As you're currently 50 years old, it's essential to evaluate your existing assets, liabilities, and investment portfolio to determine your financial standing.
Calculating Required Corpus
Estimating Retirement Corpus
To generate a monthly payout of 2 lakhs, you'll need to calculate the required retirement corpus based on your expected retirement age, life expectancy, inflation, and expected rate of return on investments.
Working with a Financial Planner
Consulting with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can help you determine the exact amount of monthly SIP required to achieve your retirement income goal.
Designing Your Investment Portfolio
SIP Amount and Fund Selection
Your monthly SIP amount will depend on factors such as your current savings, expected rate of return, and investment horizon.
A CFP can recommend a suitable asset allocation strategy and select appropriate mutual funds based on your risk tolerance, financial goals, and time horizon.
Diversification for Stability
Diversifying your portfolio across different asset classes, such as equities, debt, and possibly real estate or alternative investments, can provide stability and enhance returns over the long term.
Adjusting Your Financial Plan
Flexibility and Adaptability
It's crucial to periodically review and adjust your financial plan based on changing circumstances, market conditions, and personal goals.
A CFP can help you navigate through life transitions and unexpected events while staying on track towards your retirement objectives.
Conclusion
Planning for retirement requires careful consideration of various factors, including your age, financial situation, risk tolerance, and retirement income goals. By working with a CFP, you can develop a personalized financial plan tailored to your specific needs and aspirations, ensuring a secure and comfortable retirement lifestyle.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Oct 24, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Oct 16, 2024Hindi
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I am 35years I am planning to retire at 58 years with 2 Cr on corpus.let me know how much SIP I need to invest
Ans: At 35 years of age, aiming for a Rs 2 crore retirement corpus by 58 is an achievable goal with disciplined investing. Let’s break down the steps to assess your SIP requirements.

Evaluating Your Time Horizon and Goal
You have 23 years to accumulate Rs 2 crore. This long-term horizon allows you to take advantage of equity mutual funds' potential growth. With time on your side, the power of compounding will work in your favour.

However, as you approach retirement, you should consider gradually shifting part of your investments to safer avenues to protect the corpus from market volatility.

Factors to Consider for SIP Calculation
Before deciding on the SIP amount, keep these factors in mind:

Inflation Impact: Inflation will erode the purchasing power of your corpus. To address this, targeting a slightly higher corpus (beyond Rs 2 crore) is prudent.

Expected Returns: Equity mutual funds have historically provided returns of 10-12% per annum. For conservative planning, assume a return of around 10% annually.

Tax Considerations: Long-term capital gains (LTCG) on equity mutual funds are taxable at 12.5% above Rs 1.25 lakh per year. Keeping this in mind helps in better planning.

How Much SIP to Invest?
The SIP amount you need depends on the rate of return you assume and how aggressively you want to invest. Here's an estimated SIP amount range based on different return assumptions:

Assuming 10% returns: You would need to invest around Rs 25,000-30,000 per month.

Assuming 12% returns: You could achieve the same corpus with an SIP of around Rs 20,000-25,000 per month.

These are rough estimates, and the actual amount will vary depending on market conditions, your portfolio performance, and adjustments over time.

Why Equity Mutual Funds Are Suitable
For a 23-year time horizon, equity mutual funds offer growth potential that other asset classes might not match. Here’s why:

Growth Potential: Equity funds can outpace inflation and provide significant wealth creation over the long term.

Diversification: Investing in a variety of equity funds helps balance risk and reward, especially in a volatile market.

Flexibility: You can adjust your SIPs based on your financial situation, increasing or decreasing contributions as necessary.

Avoid Index Funds and Direct Plans
While index funds are popular for their low cost, actively managed equity funds could provide better returns in the long run due to their ability to outperform benchmarks. Direct plans may seem attractive because of lower expense ratios, but working with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and investing in regular plans through a mutual fund distributor can offer better guidance and active monitoring of your portfolio.

Adjusting Your SIP Over Time
As you get closer to retirement, you should review and adjust your SIPs to ensure you stay on track:

Increase SIP Amount: Gradually increasing your SIP contributions over time helps counter inflation and any market fluctuations.

Portfolio Rebalancing: Closer to retirement, you might want to move some funds into debt mutual funds to reduce risk.

Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWP): Post-retirement, an SWP can provide regular income while keeping your investments growing.

Final Insights
To reach a Rs 2 crore retirement corpus by age 58, starting with an SIP of Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 is a practical and achievable goal. Equities are likely your best bet for long-term growth, but plan for tax implications and the impact of inflation on your retirement lifestyle.

Regularly review your investments with your CFP to stay on track. You can always increase your SIP as your income grows, ensuring your corpus meets your future financial needs.

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 12, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 12, 2025Hindi
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I'm 38 and aiming to retire at 58 with a corpus of 5 crore. What monthly SIP amount and fund mix would you recommend?
Ans: You are making a smart and clear goal — Rs 5 crore in 20 years for retirement. That is achievable with consistent SIPs and disciplined investing. Let us now build a 360-degree investment plan step-by-step.

This plan is designed keeping in mind your retirement age, time horizon, and goal amount.

SIP Target – How Much To Invest Monthly
You want to retire in 20 years with Rs 5 crore.

You need to invest a fixed SIP amount every month for 20 years.

Assuming reasonable returns from mutual funds (around 11–12% per annum).

You need to start a SIP of around Rs 40,000 to Rs 45,000 per month.

If you invest earlier and increase SIPs yearly, your target becomes easier.

Start with what is possible now and increase 10% annually.

That step-up helps match inflation and income growth.

Equity-Debt Allocation – Finding the Right Mix
You are young and have time. So, equity can play a strong role.

Here is an ideal asset mix for you now:

70% Equity mutual funds – For growth and wealth creation.

25% Debt mutual funds – For stability and lower volatility.

5% Gold mutual funds – To hedge inflation and add safety.

This mix gives growth and reduces risk. It’s balanced for long-term goals.

We will adjust this as you move closer to age 58.

Ideal Mutual Fund Categories for Retirement Planning
Equity Portion (70%) – Invest for high returns over time.

Split this into three types of equity funds:

40% in flexi-cap or multi-cap funds – They invest in all size companies.

20% in large and mid-cap funds – A mix of stable and fast-growing stocks.

10% in international funds – For global exposure and currency diversification.

These actively managed funds offer better opportunities than passive index funds.

They also protect better during market falls.

Avoid index funds. They copy the index blindly and cannot handle market changes.

They include poor stocks also, just because of weightage.

Debt Portion (25%) – Helps you stay calm in market ups and downs.

Use these types of funds:

Short-duration funds – Safe and better than FDs in post-tax return.

Corporate bond funds – Good credit quality with reasonable returns.

Dynamic bond funds – Change maturity based on market trends.

Debt funds give steady returns. They help protect capital during market stress.

Returns are taxed as per your income slab now under new rules.

So choose funds with efficient duration and low credit risk.

Gold Mutual Funds (5%) – Small portion, but adds big value.

Gold helps during market crises and weak rupee.

Use gold funds or gold saving funds, not physical gold.

SIP in gold funds ensures average cost over time.

Gold does not earn income, but adds balance to your portfolio.

Limit exposure to 5% only. Do not over-invest in it.

How to Start – SIP and STP Approach
Start monthly SIP in all selected funds as per the mix.

If you have a lump sum now, do not invest fully in equity at once.

Put it in a liquid or ultra-short debt fund.

Use STP (Systematic Transfer Plan) to shift monthly to equity funds.

This reduces market entry risk and gives rupee cost averaging.

Role of Certified Financial Planner and MFD
Direct plans do not offer handholding.

You may get confused during market volatility.

A Certified Financial Planner and MFD gives personal guidance.

You get portfolio reviews, rebalancing, and emotional support.

Investing through regular plans may seem costly but brings peace of mind.

You save tax, avoid mistakes, and stay goal-focused.

Mutual fund selection, SIP tracking, and tax planning become smoother with CFP advice.

No app or robo-advisor replaces human guidance.

Taxation of Mutual Funds – New Rules in Focus
Equity mutual funds – LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%.

STCG (less than 1 year) taxed at 20%.

Debt mutual funds – All gains taxed as per income slab now.

No more indexation benefit from 1 April 2023.

Keep this in mind while choosing debt funds.

Hold long-term. That will reduce tax impact.

Tax planning should be part of the SIP strategy also.

A Certified Financial Planner helps build tax-efficient plans for you.

Goal Review Plan – Stay on Track
Review your fund performance every year.

Do not change funds based on short-term returns.

Stick to your plan. Make adjustments only if needed.

Rebalance your portfolio once a year. That brings discipline.

Increase SIP by 10% every year. That handles inflation well.

From age 50, start shifting slowly from equity to debt.

By age 58, you must have 70–80% in debt for safety.

This way, you protect the corpus before retirement.

Common Mistakes You Must Avoid
Don’t stop SIPs during market falls.

Don’t chase top-performing funds every year.

Don’t invest in direct plans without support or knowledge.

Don’t ignore rebalancing and reviews.

Don’t invest all in equity or all in debt.

Don’t withdraw your retirement corpus early for other goals.

Stay patient, consistent, and guided.

Role of Emergency Fund and Insurance
Build an emergency fund equal to 6 months’ expenses.

Keep it in a liquid fund or sweep-in FD.

Have term insurance till age 58. It protects your family.

Take a separate health insurance for you and your family.

These are the basics before starting SIPs.

They protect your investment journey.

Risk Management and Emotional Balance
Markets will rise and fall. Stay calm.

Don’t stop SIPs when others panic.

Talk to your Certified Financial Planner when you feel stressed.

Don’t compare your returns with friends or social media.

Every person has different goals and timelines.

Build emotional strength along with financial discipline.

SIP Strategy Year-by-Year – Sample Progression Plan
Let’s see how your SIP journey can look in broad stages.

Age 38–45:

Aggressive SIP growth. High equity. Increase SIP every year.

Keep asset mix as 70:25:5 (Equity:Debt:Gold).

No withdrawals. Focus only on growth.

Age 45–50:

Review goals. Add more debt gradually.

Maintain SIPs. Shift focus to stability also.

Rebalance every year to control risk.

Age 50–58:

Start preparing for withdrawal phase.

Equity comes down to 40%, debt rises to 50%.

Begin to build SWP structure post-retirement.

You reach Rs 5 crore with this gradual and guided approach.

You will also gain peace and clarity.

Role of SIP in Retirement Peace
SIPs help you build wealth without feeling burdened.

They adjust to income, markets, and goals naturally.

They make money habits simple and automatic.

They let your retirement fund grow in the background.

With SIPs, you sleep peacefully and invest steadily.

Finally
Your goal of Rs 5 crore in 20 years is very achievable.

Start now. Don’t delay. Every month counts.

Use a smart asset mix: equity, debt, and gold.

Review yearly. Rebalance. Increase SIPs.

Avoid direct plans. Take guidance from a Certified Financial Planner.

Don’t fall for flashy funds or apps.

Stay focused on your goal. Don’t look for shortcuts.

Retirement planning is not a product. It’s a lifetime process.

You are on the right path. Continue with confidence and clarity.

Your future self will thank you for today’s discipline.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10872 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 06, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 06, 2025Hindi
Money
Dear Sir/Ma'am, I need some guidance and advice for continuing my mutual fund investments. I am a 36 year old male, married, no kids yet and no debts/liabilities as such. I have couple of savings in PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and long term investing in direct stocks. I recently started below mentioned SIPs for long term to grow wealth. Request you to review the same and let me know if I should continue with the SIPs or need to rationalize. Kindly also advice on how to invest a lumpsum amount of around 6lacs. invesco small cap 2000 motilal oswal midcap 2700 parag parikh flexicap 3000 HDFC flexicap 3100 ICICI prudential largecap 3100 HDFC large and midcap 3100 HDFC gold etf FOF 2000 ICICI Pru equity and debt fund 3000 HDFC balanced advantage fund 3000 nippon india silver etf FOF 2000
Ans: You already built a solid foundation. Many investors delay planning. But you started early at 36. That gives you a strong advantage. You have no liabilities. You have long term thinking. You also have diversified savings like PPF, NPS, Emergency funds and direct stocks. That shows clarity and discipline. This approach builds wealth with less stress over time.

You also started systematic investments in equity funds. That is a positive step. Your selection covers multiple categories like large cap, mid cap, small cap, flexi cap, hybrid and precious metals. So the intent is right. You are trying to create a broad portfolio. That gives balance.

» Your Portfolio Composition Understanding
Your current SIP list includes:

Small cap

Mid cap

Flexi cap

Large cap

Large and mid cap

Hybrid category

Gold and Silver FoF

Equity and Debt allocation fund

Dynamic hybrid fund

This shows you are trying to cover many segments. But too many categories can create overlap. When there is overlap, you get confusion during review. It also makes portfolio discipline difficult. You may think you are diversified. But the holdings inside may repeat. That reduces efficiency.

Your portfolio now looks like:

Equity dominant

Hybrid for stability

Metals for hedge

So the broad direction is fine. But simplifying helps in long-term habit building.

» Fund Category Duplication
You hold:

Two flexi cap funds

One large and mid cap fund

One pure large cap fund

One mid cap fund

One small cap fund

Flexi cap funds already invest across large, mid, small. Then large and mid also overlaps. So the large cap exposure gets repeated. That may not add extra benefit. But it increases monitoring complexity.

So I suggest rationalising. Keep one fund per category in core. Keep satellite space for only high conviction.

» Core and Satellite Strategy
A structured portfolio follows core and satellite method.

Core portfolio should be:

Simple

Long term

Stable

Satellite portfolio can be:

High growth

Concentrated

Based on your thinking level, you can structure like this:

Core funds:

One large cap

One flexi cap

One hybrid equity and debt fund

One balanced advantage type fund

Satellite funds:

One mid cap

One small cap

One metal allocation if needed

This division gives clarity. You can continue SIPs with review every year. No need to stop and restart often. That reduces behavioural mistakes.

» Your Current SIP List Review with Suggested Streamlining

You can consider continuing:

One flexi cap

One large cap

One mid cap

One small cap

One balanced advantage

One equity and debt hybrid

You may reconsider keeping both flexi caps and both gold silver funds. One of each category is enough. Because too many funds do not increase returns. It complicates tracking.

Precious metal funds should not be more than 5 to 7 percent in your portfolio. This is because metals are hedge assets. They do not create compounding like equity. They act as protection during cycles. So keep them small.

» How to Use the Rs 6 Lakh Lump Sum
You asked about lump sum investing. This is important. Lump sum should not go fully into equity at one time. Markets move in cycles. So use a staggered method. You can invest the lump sum through STP (Systematic Transfer Plan). You can keep the amount in a liquid fund and set STP toward your chosen growth funds over 6 to 12 months.

This reduces timing risk. It also creates discipline. So your Rs 6 lakh can be deployed gradually. You may use 50% towards core equity funds and 30% toward satellite growth category. The remaining 20% can go into hybrid category. This gives balance and comfort.

» Regular Funds Over Direct Funds
One important point many investors miss. Direct funds look cheaper. But they demand deep knowledge, discipline, and behaviour control. Most investors lose more through emotional selling and wrong timing than they save on expense ratio.

With regular funds through a Mutual Fund Distributor with Certified Financial Planner qualification, you get guidance, structure and correction. The advisory discipline protects you during market extremes. That is more valuable than a small saving in expense ratio.

A personalised planner also tracks portfolio drift, rebalancing need and category shifts. So regular fund investing gives long-term benefit and behaviour coaching.

» Actively Managed Funds over Index or ETF
Some investors choose index funds or ETF thinking they are simple and cheap. But they ignore drawbacks.

Index funds or ETF will not avoid weak companies in the index. They will invest whether the company grows or struggles. There is no fund manager decision making. So when markets are at peak, index funds continue aggressive exposure. In downturns also they fall fully. There is no cushion.

Actively managed funds work with research teams. They can avoid bad sectors. They can shift allocation based on market and economy. Over long term, this gives better alpha and stability. So continuing with actively managed funds creates better wealth compounding.

» SIP Continuation Strategy
Once the rationalisation is done, continue SIPs every month without interruption. Pause and restart behaviour damages compounding power. SIP works best when you go through all market cycles. You benefit more during corrections because cost averaging works.

So continue SIP amount. You can also review SIP increase every year based on income. Increasing SIP by 10 to 15 percent every year helps you reach large corpus faster.

» Asset Allocation Based Approach
One key point in wealth creation is having the right asset mix. Equity gives growth. Hybrid gives balance. Metals give hedge. Debt gives safety. Your asset allocation should stay aligned to your risk profile and time horizon.

Since you are young and have long term horizon, higher equity allocation is fine. But as time moves, rebalancing is important. Rebalancing protects gains and restores allocation.

So review your asset allocation every year or during major life events like child birth, home buying or retirement planning.

» Behaviour Management
Many portfolios fail not due to bad funds. They fail due to bad decisions. Selling during correction. Stopping SIP when market falls. Chasing past return performance. These mistakes reduce wealth.

Your discipline so far is good. Continue to stay patient during volatility. Equity rewards patience and time.

» Financial Goals Clarity
Since you have no children now, you can decide your long-term goals. Typical goals may include:

Retirement

Future child education

Dream lifestyle purchase

Health care reserves

When goals are clear, investment purpose becomes stronger. So you can map each fund category to goal horizon. Short-term goals should not use equity. Long-term goals should use equity with hybrid support.

» Role of Review and Monitoring
Review once in a year is enough. Frequent review can create anxiety. Annual review helps check:

Fund performance

Expense drift

Category relevance

Allocation balance

Then adjust only if needed. This progress helps you stay confident and aligned.

» Taxation Awareness
Equity mutual funds taxation rules are:

Short term (below one year holding) taxable at 20 percent

Long term (above one year holding) gains above Rs 1.25 lakh taxable at 12.5 percent

Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income slab.

So always hold equity funds for long term. That reduces tax impact and gives better growth.

» SIP Increase Plan
You can create a simple plan to increase SIP over time. For example:

Increase SIP at every salary increment

Increase SIP during bonus time

Use rewards or extra income for investing

This habit accelerates wealth. So by the time you reach 45 to 50 years, your investments could reach a strong level.

» Insurance and Protection
Before investing large, ensure you have term insurance and health insurance. If not already done, it is important. Insurance protects wealth. Without insurance, even a small medical event can impact investment plan. So review this part also. Since you are married, cover both.

» Wealth Behaviour Mindset
You are already disciplined. Just keep these simple principles:

Invest without stopping

Review once a year

Avoid funds overlap

Follow asset allocation

Avoid reacting to media noise

This helps you reach long term milestones.

» Finally
You are on the right track. Only fine tuning and simplification is needed. Your discipline is visible. Your portfolio will grow well with structure, patience and periodic review. Use the Rs 6 lakh with STP approach. And continue SIP with rationalised categories.

With time and consistency, wealth creation becomes effortless and peaceful. You just need to stay committed and avoid overthinking during market movements.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1837 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 05, 2025

Career
Dear Sir, I did my BTech from a normal engineering college not very famous. The teaching was not great and hence i did not study well. I tried my best to learn coding including all the technologies like html,css,javascript,react js,dba,php because i wanted to be a web developer But nothing seem to enter my head except html and css. I don't understand a language which has more complexities. Is it because of my lack of experience or not devoting enough time. I am not sure. I did many courses online and tried to do diplomas also abroad which i passed somehow. I recently joined android development course because i like apps but the teaching was so fast that i could not memorize anything. There was no time to even take notes down. During the course i did assignments and understood the code because i have to pass but after the course is over i tend to forget everything. I attempted a lot of interviews. Some of them i even got but could not perform well so they let me go. Now due to the AI booming and job markets in a bad shape i am re-thinking whether to keep studying or whether its just time waste. Since 3 years i am doing labour type of jobs which does not yield anything to me for survival and to pay my expenses. I have the quest to learn everything but as soon as i sit in front of the computer i listen to music or read something else. What should i do to stay more focused? What should i do to make myself believe confident. Is there still scope of IT in todays world? Kindly advise.
Ans: Your story does not show failure.
It shows persistence, effort, and desire to improve.

Most people give up.
You didn’t.
That means you will succeed — but with the right method, not the old one.

...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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