Dear MoneyGurus, I am 45 years old, having two daughters aged 13 and 8. Wife is housewife, I work in IT industry, living in Pune.
My current approximate value of investments on myname are equity oriented MFs : 45L, debt oriented MFs: 30L, PPF: 30L, NPS: 50L, EPF: 50L.
Current value of investments on wife's name are debt oriented MF: 20L, PPF: 30L, NPS: 6L.
Holdings on 1st kid SSY are 18L, eq oriented hybrid MF : 20L.
Holdings on 2nd kid: SSY are 16L, eq oriented hybrid MF : 7L.
We live in self occupied house in Pune. We have second house in Ahmedabad value 40L, getting rent 14K. (no plans to go there, thinking of selling the second house, when needed, as property rates there are stagnant for last 7 years in that locality). Have no loans, and has health insurance of 10L.
Can I retire in next 2 years. If I retire after 2 years, how much monthly income can I expect. (without withdrawing funds invested for kids).
Ans: You have done a very good job so far. Most families struggle to balance equity, debt, retirement funds, and children’s education goals. You have managed to create a very healthy corpus with no loans and with diversified assets. This shows discipline and long-term thinking. Now, let us carefully evaluate if you can retire in two years and what income you can expect.
» Current Family Financial Position
– Equity oriented mutual funds on your name are around Rs 45 lakh.
– Debt oriented mutual funds on your name are around Rs 30 lakh.
– Your PPF has Rs 30 lakh.
– Your NPS balance is Rs 50 lakh.
– EPF has Rs 50 lakh.
– Wife has Rs 20 lakh in debt funds, Rs 30 lakh in PPF, Rs 6 lakh in NPS.
– Elder daughter has Rs 18 lakh in SSY and Rs 20 lakh in hybrid equity mutual fund.
– Younger daughter has Rs 16 lakh in SSY and Rs 7 lakh in hybrid equity mutual fund.
– Second property in Ahmedabad is worth around Rs 40 lakh and giving Rs 14,000 monthly rent.
– You are living in a self-owned house in Pune with no loans.
– You already have family health insurance of Rs 10 lakh.
This is a very strong foundation. You have stability, no debt, and multiple layers of safety.
» Why This is a Strong Position
– You have spread money across equity, debt, retirement funds, and safe instruments.
– You have separate investments for children, which means their future education and marriage are protected.
– You have insurance cover, which is essential for medical emergencies.
– No loan burden gives you more flexibility for early retirement.
– You already have rental income from property, though rates are stagnant.
This mix gives comfort. Many families at 45 are still struggling with housing loans. You are already ahead.
» Assessing Retirement Readiness
Retirement depends on two things. One is how much corpus you will have. Two is how much monthly income you will need.
Corpus side: In the next two years, your investments will grow further. Equity, debt, PPF, EPF, and NPS will together cross a significant mark. Rental income will also continue.
Expense side: After retirement, your monthly need should be carefully estimated. Typically, families in Pune with your lifestyle may need Rs 80,000 to Rs 1 lakh per month today. Over 25 to 30 years, inflation will increase this. So corpus must sustain for long.
You are in a comfortable zone to stop working in two years if lifestyle expectations are balanced. But you must structure the withdrawal carefully.
» Sources of Retirement Income
You will not disturb the children’s funds. So we look only at your and your wife’s investments plus rental.
– Rental income is Rs 14,000 per month from the Ahmedabad property. This may remain stagnant, but it provides steady support.
– Your EPF corpus can be partly withdrawn and partly left for earning interest. EPF interest is safe and continues tax efficient.
– PPF corpus of Rs 30 lakh for you and Rs 30 lakh for wife can give safe withdrawal support.
– Debt mutual funds can provide systematic withdrawal plans for regular income.
– Equity mutual funds can be kept for growth and later switched gradually to safer options for income.
– NPS withdrawal at retirement age will have partial lump sum and partial pension option. Since you plan early retirement, you may need to keep this till official retirement age.
So actual retirement income for the first ten years will mainly come from debt funds, PPF, EPF, and some equity withdrawal. Later, NPS can start supporting.
» Tax Perspective on Withdrawals
– Equity mutual fund withdrawals above Rs 1.25 lakh long term gains are taxed at 12.5%. Short-term gains are taxed at 20%. So for regular retirement withdrawals, plan staggered redemptions to reduce tax.
– Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income tax slab. So withdrawals from debt MFs must be structured carefully each year to avoid entering highest tax slab.
– PPF and EPF withdrawals are tax-free. This gives you safe tax advantage.
– Rental income will be taxable under income from house property, but after standard deduction.
You need to design withdrawals combining tax-free and taxable streams to optimise net income.
» Evaluating Monthly Income Potential
If you retire in two years, you can expect around Rs 1.25 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh per month after tax from all sources. This will be through a mix of systematic withdrawals, EPF interest, PPF withdrawals, and rental income.
This income level looks sustainable for your family given you live in your own house. But inflation will rise, so equity allocation must remain for growth. Only depending on debt will reduce corpus fast.
» Risk Factors You Must Manage
– Inflation risk: Prices will rise, so equity exposure must remain to protect corpus.
– Longevity risk: You may live for 30 to 35 more years, so corpus must stretch long.
– Medical emergencies: Rs 10 lakh cover is good, but consider top-up cover. Medical costs are rising fast.
– Sequence of return risk: If markets fall just when you retire, equity corpus will shrink. Keep 3-5 years’ expenses in safe debt to avoid panic withdrawal.
– Rental risk: Tenant changes or property disputes can reduce rental income. So do not fully depend on this.
If you manage these risks, retirement can be smooth.
» Children’s Education and Marriage
You have earmarked SSY and hybrid equity funds for both daughters. This is very good. Please do not touch these investments for retirement. Continue to invest if possible for next few years to grow further. Education and marriage costs in future will be high, but your current structure already protects these goals.
» Structuring Retirement Corpus
Your corpus can be divided like this after retirement:
– Emergency fund equal to one year expenses kept in liquid debt fund.
– Five to seven years expenses in short-term debt funds and PPF withdrawals.
– Rest kept in equity mutual funds for growth, with phased transfer to debt every 3-5 years.
– NPS and EPF can be left untouched till statutory retirement age for additional safety.
This layered approach protects you from market swings and ensures liquidity.
» Why Actively Managed Funds Work Better
Sometimes people suggest index funds or ETFs for retirement planning. These may look cheaper but they have clear disadvantages. Index funds only copy the market and give average returns. They do not protect from market falls. They cannot beat inflation consistently.
Actively managed funds, under skilled fund managers, aim to beat the market. Over long periods, well-chosen active funds create higher wealth. For a person close to retirement, stability and growth are both important. Actively managed funds with Certified Financial Planner guidance are better suited.
So your equity portion should remain in carefully selected active funds. Regular review by a Certified Financial Planner ensures that funds match your retirement phase.
» Role of Regular Funds Through MFD with CFP
Direct funds may look cheaper on expense ratio. But many investors fail to manage portfolios themselves. Mistakes in switching, timing, and taxation can cost far more than small savings in expenses.
Investing through regular funds with a trusted MFD who has CFP credential gives ongoing monitoring and advice. Retirement is a long journey. Personalised review and guidance is very important. It is safer than trying to manage direct plans alone.
» Finally
You are in a strong position to retire in two years. Your disciplined saving, debt-free life, and balanced investments allow this. With current structure, you can expect around Rs 1.25 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh monthly income after retirement, without touching children’s funds.
You must, however, maintain equity exposure for long-term growth. Withdraw systematically from debt and PPF, while letting equity grow. Plan tax-efficient withdrawals. Review with a Certified Financial Planner every year to adjust.
Retirement is not only about corpus. It is also about health, hobbies, and family harmony. So keep health cover updated, keep yourself engaged, and enjoy time with your daughters.
You are already ahead of many families. With structured planning, your retirement can be smooth and joyful.
Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment