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Ulhas

Ulhas Joshi  |280 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Fund Expert - Answered on Jun 28, 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
Asked by Anonymous - Mar 27, 2023Hindi
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Hi, I have no MF investments as of now. Some NPS Tier1 investments only. I want to make a lumpsum invest of 10L for 5 years plus. Please advise which MF schemes to invest in. Also i want to start a SIP of 25k per month in different funds (in addition to NPS T1 and PF that i have ongoing), current age 39, investment horizon: mid to long term. Please suggest SIP related investments.

Ans: Hello and thanks for writing to me. You can consider making lumpsum investments of Rs.2 Lakh in each of the below schemes:

1-Edelweiss NIFTY 100 Quality 30 Index Fund
2-DSP Quant Fund
3-SBI Blue Chip Fund
4-SBI Focused Equity Fund
5-UTI Flexi Cap Fund

You can also start monthly SIP's of Rs.5,000 in each of the above schemes.

Periodic reassessment and rebalancing is essential to ensure you are on the right track to achieve your financial 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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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10879 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 21, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Aug 21, 2024Hindi
Money
Hello Sir - I'm 50 yo - And I have been actively investing in MFs since 2005. Have redeemed several times for several investments / expenditure and I withdrew all my funds last yr due to some useless foreteller who predicted markets are going to fall big time and redeemed all my funds - 35+ Lacs is in FD now for about 18 months. I was investing close to about 35K in MFs MoMonth. Now I want to get into that again. My salary is about 1.5Lacs net . Have a flat & plots in a Metro city, have provided funds for kids higher education / wedding etc, Good amt in PPF & EPF. Please suggest the right SIPs for me to invest towards retirement fund and I have an appetite of 40K monthly for the next 5 yrs (likely retirement).
Ans: 1. Understanding Your Current Situation
At 50 years old, you have accumulated significant assets. Your decision to redeem Rs. 35+ lakhs based on a foreteller's prediction has put you in a conservative position with funds in an FD. While FDs offer safety, they may not provide the growth needed to sustain you through retirement. With retirement planned in 5 years, it’s crucial to optimize your investments.

2. Revisiting Your Financial Goals
Retirement Planning

Your primary goal now should be to build a robust retirement fund. With retirement only 5 years away, you need a balanced approach. Your retirement fund should be able to generate a steady income, and offer protection against inflation. This requires careful planning with a mix of growth and stable investments.

Existing Assets and Liabilities

You have a flat and plots in a metro city, and you’ve secured your children’s future with funds for their education and weddings. Additionally, you have a good amount in PPF and EPF. These are strong foundations, but they need to be supplemented with strategic investments to ensure your retirement is comfortable.

3. Re-Entering the Mutual Fund Space
Equity Mutual Funds

Given your 5-year horizon, equity mutual funds should be part of your strategy. They offer the potential for higher returns. However, the allocation to equities should be moderated, considering your risk profile and time horizon. Work with a Certified Financial Planner to select funds that match your risk tolerance and retirement goals.

Avoid Index Funds

Index funds, while cost-effective, may not be ideal at this stage. They lack the flexibility to adjust to market conditions. Actively managed funds, with a seasoned fund manager, can offer better returns, especially in a volatile market. A certified expert can guide you in choosing funds with a proven track record.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds

Direct funds have lower expense ratios but lack the personalized advice that comes with regular plans. Investing through a Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD) with CFP credentials ensures your investments are aligned with your financial goals. Regular funds provide you with the necessary guidance to navigate market fluctuations.

4. Fixed Deposit vs. Mutual Funds
Reassessing Your Fixed Deposits

The Rs. 35+ lakhs currently in FDs offer safety but at the cost of growth. FDs typically offer returns that barely outpace inflation, eroding purchasing power over time. Consider gradually shifting a portion of these funds into mutual funds. This can help you achieve better growth while maintaining some level of safety.

Debt Mutual Funds

Debt mutual funds can be a suitable alternative for a portion of your FD funds. They offer better tax efficiency and potentially higher returns than FDs. However, it’s important to choose funds with a good credit rating to mitigate risk. A Certified Financial Planner can help identify the right debt funds for your portfolio.

5. Structured SIP Investments
Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)

Starting an SIP of Rs. 40,000 per month is a wise move. SIPs allow you to invest systematically, reducing the risk of market volatility. With a 5-year horizon, consider a mix of equity and debt funds. This balance will provide growth potential while cushioning against market downturns.

Diversification

Diversification is key to reducing risk. Spread your SIPs across different types of funds—large-cap, mid-cap, and balanced funds. This ensures your portfolio isn’t overly reliant on a single asset class. Regular reviews with a Certified Financial Planner will help you stay on track.

6. Insurance and Risk Management
Review Your Insurance Coverage

Given your stage in life, ensure that your insurance coverage is adequate. This includes life insurance and health insurance. If you have any investment-linked insurance policies like ULIPs or LIC policies, consider whether they are still serving your needs. If not, it may be wise to surrender these and reinvest the proceeds in mutual funds.

Health Insurance

With retirement approaching, ensure your health insurance coverage is comprehensive. This will protect your retirement corpus from being eroded by medical expenses. Consider adding critical illness coverage if it’s not already part of your plan.

7. Retirement Corpus Calculation
Estimating Your Retirement Needs

Work with a Certified Financial Planner to estimate the corpus you’ll need to maintain your lifestyle post-retirement. This includes factoring in inflation, healthcare costs, and longevity. Your current savings in PPF, EPF, and real estate, combined with your new investments, should be evaluated to ensure they meet your future needs.

Income Generation Post-Retirement

Plan for a mix of investments that can generate income during retirement. This might include SWPs (Systematic Withdrawal Plans) from mutual funds, which provide a steady income while allowing the remaining corpus to grow.

8. Regular Monitoring and Adjustments
Portfolio Reviews

It’s essential to regularly review your portfolio. Market conditions, personal circumstances, and financial goals can change. Regular reviews with a Certified Financial Planner will help ensure your investments remain aligned with your goals. Adjust your SIPs and other investments as needed.

Rebalancing Your Portfolio

As you approach retirement, gradually reduce exposure to equities and increase allocation to safer debt instruments. This will protect your corpus from market volatility and ensure steady income during retirement.

9. Final Insights
Your decision to re-enter the mutual fund space with a disciplined approach is commendable. Focus on a balanced investment strategy that includes both growth and stability. Regular reviews, proper diversification, and appropriate insurance coverage will ensure you meet your retirement goals. With careful planning, your retirement years can be financially secure and fulfilling.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10879 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 11, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 11, 2025Hindi
Money
Hello Sir, I am 56 yrs old with two sons, both married and settled. They are living on their own and managing their finances. I have around 2.5 Cr. invested in Direct Equity and 50L in Equity Mutual Funds. I have Another 50L savings in Bank and other secured investments. I am living in Delhi NCR in my owned parental house. I have two properties of current market worth of 2 Cr, giving a monthly rental of around 40K. I wish to retire and travel the world now with my wife. My approximate yearly expenditure on house hold and travel will be around 24 L per year. I want to know, if this corpus is enough for me to retire now and continue to live a comfortable life.
Ans: You have built a strong base. You have raised your sons well. They live independently. You and your wife now want a peaceful and enjoyable retired life. You have created wealth with discipline. You have no home loan. You live in your own house. This gives strength to your cash flow. Your savings across equity, mutual funds, and bank deposits show good clarity. I appreciate your careful preparation. You deserve a happy retired life with travel and comfort.

» Your Present Position
Your current financial position looks very steady. You hold direct equity of around Rs 2.5 Cr. You hold equity mutual funds worth Rs 50 lakh. You also have Rs 50 lakh in bank deposits and other secured savings. Your two rental properties add more comfort. You earn around Rs 40,000 per month from rent. You also live in your owned house in Delhi NCR. So you have no rent expense.

Your total net worth crosses Rs 5.5 Cr easily. This gives you a strong base for your retired life. You plan to spend around Rs 24 lakh per year for all expenses, including travel. This is reasonable for your lifestyle. Your savings can support this if planned well. You have built more than the minimum needed for a comfortable retired life.

» Your Key Strengths
You already enjoy many strengths. These strengths hold your plan together.

You have zero housing loan.

You have stable rental income.

You have children living independently.

You have a balanced mix of assets.

You have built wealth with discipline.

You have clear goals for travel and lifestyle.

You have strong liquidity with Rs 50 lakh in bank and secured savings.

These strengths reduce risk. They support a smooth retired life with less stress. They also help you handle inflation and medical costs better.

» Your Cash Flow Needs
Your yearly expense is around Rs 24 lakh. This includes travel, which is your main dream for retired life. A couple at your stage can keep this lifestyle if the cash flow is planned well. You need cash flow clarity for the next 30 years. Retirement at 56 can extend for three decades. So your wealth must support you for a long period.

Your rental income gives you around Rs 4.8 lakh per year. This covers almost 20% of your yearly spending. This reduces pressure on your investments. The rest can come from a planned withdrawal strategy from your financial assets.

You also have Rs 50 lakh in bank deposits. This acts as liquidity buffer. You can use this buffer for short-term and medium-term needs. You also have equity exposure. This can support long-term growth.

» Risk Capacity and Risk Need
Your risk capacity is moderate to high. This is because:

You own your home.

You have rental income.

Your children are financially independent.

You have large accumulated assets.

You have enough liquidity in bank deposits.

Your risk need is also moderate. You need growth because inflation will rise. Travel costs will rise. Medical costs will increase. Your lifestyle will change with age. Your equity portion helps you beat inflation. But your equity exposure must be managed well. You should avoid sudden large withdrawals from equity at the wrong time.

Your stability allows you to keep some portion in equity even during retired life. But you should avoid excessive risk through direct equity. Direct equity carries concentration risk. A balanced mix of high-quality mutual funds is safer in retired life.

» Direct Equity Risk in Retired Life
You hold around Rs 2.5 Cr in direct equity. This brings some concerns. Direct equity needs frequent tracking. It needs research. It carries single-stock risk. One mistake may reduce your capital. In retired life, you need stability, clarity, and lower volatility.

Direct funds inside mutual funds also bring challenges. Direct funds lack personalised support. Regular plans through a Mutual Fund Distributor with a Certified Financial Planner bring guidance and strategy. Regular funds also support better tracking and behaviour management in volatile markets. In retired life, proper handholding improves long-term stability.

Many people think direct funds save cost. But the value of advisory support through a CFP gives higher net gains over long periods. Direct plans also create more confusion in asset allocation for retirees.

» Mutual Funds as a Core Support
Actively managed mutual funds remain a strong pillar. They bring professional management and risk controls. They handle market cycles better than index funds. Index funds follow the market blindly. They do not help in volatile phases. They also offer no risk protection. They cannot manage quality of stocks.

Actively managed funds deliver better selection and risk handling. A retiree benefits from such active strategy. You should avoid index funds for a long retirement plan. You should prefer strong active funds under a disciplined review with a CFP-led MFD support.

» Why Regular Plans Work Better for Retirees
Direct plans give no guidance. Retired investors often face emotional decisions. Some panic during market fall. Some withdraw heavily during market rise. This harms wealth. Regular plan under a CFP-led MFD gives a relationship. It offers disciplined rebalancing. It improves long-term returns. It protects wealth from poor behaviour.

For retirees, the difference is huge. So shifting to regular plans for the mutual fund portion will help long-term stability.

» Your Withdrawal Strategy
A planned withdrawal strategy is key for your case. You should create three layers.

Short-Term Bucket
This comes from your bank deposits. This should hold at least 18 to 24 months of expenses. You already have Rs 50 lakh. This is enough to hold your short-term cash needs. You can use this for household costs and some travel. This avoids panic selling of equity during market downturn.

Medium-Term Bucket
This bucket can stay partly in low-volatility debt funds and partly in hybrid options. This should cover your next 5 to 7 years. This helps smoothen withdrawals. It gives regular cash flow. It reduces market shocks.

Long-Term Bucket
This can stay in high-quality equity mutual funds. This bucket helps beat inflation. This bucket helps fund your travel dreams in later years. This bucket also builds buffer for medical needs.

This three-bucket strategy protects your lifestyle. It also keeps discipline and clarity.

» Handling Property and Rental Income
Your properties give Rs 40,000 monthly rental. This helps your cash flow. You should maintain the property well. You should keep some funds aside for repairs. Do not depend fully on rental growth. Rental yields remain low. But your rental income reduces pressure on your investments. So keep the rental income as a steady support, not a primary source.

You should not plan more real estate purchase. Real estate brings low returns and poor liquidity. You already own enough. Holding more can hurt flexibility in retired life.

» Planning for Medical Costs
Medical costs rise faster than inflation. You and your wife need strong health coverage. You should maintain a reliable health insurance. You should also keep a medical fund from your bank deposits. You may keep around 3 to 4 lakh per year as a buffer for medical needs. Your bank savings support this.

Health coverage reduces stress on your long-term wealth. It also avoids large withdrawals from your growth assets.

» Travel Planning
Travel is your main dream now. You can plan your travel using your short-term and medium-term buckets. You can take funds annually from your liquidity bucket. You can avoid touching long-term equity assets for travel. This approach keeps your wealth stable.

You should plan travel for the next five years with a budget. You should adjust your travel based on markets and health. Do not use entire gains of equity for travel. Keep travel budget fixed. Add small adjustments only when needed.

» Inflation and Lifestyle Stability
Inflation will impact lifestyle. At Rs 24 lakh per year today, the cost may double in 12 to 14 years. Your equity exposure helps you beat this. But you need careful rebalancing. You also need disciplined review with a CFP-led MFD. This will help you manage inflation and maintain comfort.

Your lifestyle is stable because your children live independently. So your cash flow demand stays predictable. This makes your plan sustainable.

» Longevity Risk
Retirement at 56 means you may live till 85 or 90. Your plan should cover long years. Your total net worth of around Rs 5.5 Cr to Rs 6 Cr can support this. But you need a proper drawdown strategy. Avoid high withdrawals in early years. Keep your travel budget steady.

Do not depend on one asset class. A mix of debt and equity gives comfort. Keep your bank deposits as cushion.

» Succession and Estate Planning
Since you have two sons who are settled, you can plan a clear will. Clear distribution avoids conflict. You can also assign nominees across accounts. You can also review your legal papers. This gives peace to you and your family.

» Summary of Your Retirement Readiness
Based on your assets and cash flow, you are ready to retire. You have enough wealth. You have enough liquidity. You have enough income support from rent. You also have good asset mix. With proper planning, your lifestyle is comfortable.

You can retire now. But maintain a disciplined withdrawal strategy. Shift more reliance from direct equity into professionally managed mutual funds under regular plans. Keep your liquidity strong. Review once every year with a CFP.

Your wealth can support your travel dreams for many years. You can enjoy retired life with confidence.

» Finally
Your preparation is strong. Your intentions are clear. Your lifestyle needs are reasonable. Your assets support your dreams. With a balanced plan, steady review, and mindful spending, you can enjoy a comfortable retired life with your wife. You can travel the world without fear of running out of money. You deserve this peace and joy.

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

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

...Read more

Dr Nagarajan J S K

Dr Nagarajan J S K   |2577 Answers  |Ask -

NEET, Medical, Pharmacy Careers - Answered on Dec 10, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 10, 2025Hindi
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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