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43-Year-Old Earning 1.6 Cr/Year: When Can I Retire With 8 Cr Portfolio?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7159 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Nov 08, 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
Asked by Anonymous - Nov 07, 2024Hindi
Money

Dear Mr. Ramalingam Kalirajan, I am 43 years old, with 39 year wife and 7 year daughter. Between myself and wife, we draw 1.6 Cr per annum as salary. Currently our portfolio stands at 8 Cr+, consisting of: 1) 2.3 Cr in US stocks 2) 1.9 Cr in real estate (plots of land) 3) 1.8 Cr in Mutual funds in India 4) 0.75 Cr in Equities in India 4) 0.7 Cr in PF 5) 22L in PPF 6) 26L in SGBs 7) 75L in Cash/FDs 8) 10L in NPS 9) 25L in Gold 10) 20L in LIC policies 11) 10L in Medical Insurance 12) Additional 3L in SSY One Loan worth 40L. Our monthly expenses is approx 1.8L Kindly let me know whether with this investment, when can we retire?

Ans: Your current portfolio and income level offer a strong foundation, and with some tailored planning, you can achieve a comfortable retirement.

Current Portfolio Assessment
Your financial assets stand at an impressive Rs 8 crore+ diversified across Indian and US equities, mutual funds, real estate, gold, and provident fund instruments. The following is a high-level review of each segment:

US Stocks: With Rs 2.3 crore in US equities, you benefit from global diversification. However, US markets can be volatile, and currency risks may impact returns.

Indian Mutual Funds: Rs 1.8 crore in mutual funds provides a balanced exposure to India’s economic growth. Actively managed funds, as in your case, often perform better than passive index funds during volatile times, thanks to professional fund management.

Real Estate: Rs 1.9 crore invested in plots can be beneficial for capital appreciation, though liquidity can be an issue.

Provident Funds: PF and PPF investments totalling nearly Rs 92 lakh offer stability and tax-efficient growth, ensuring a low-risk component in your portfolio.

Gold and Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGBs): Rs 25 lakh in gold and Rs 26 lakh in SGBs is wise for hedging against inflation. SGBs also provide annual interest, adding to your cash flow.

NPS: Rs 10 lakh in the NPS provides a good long-term pension-building tool, with tax benefits as well.

Cash/FDs and SSY: With Rs 75 lakh in cash and fixed deposits, along with Rs 3 lakh in Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), you have liquid and secure funds. SSY also benefits your daughter's future education needs.

Insurance: You have Rs 20 lakh in LIC policies and Rs 10 lakh in medical insurance. LIC policies offer low returns, so there could be better options.

Monthly Income Needs and Expenses
Your monthly expenses are approximately Rs 1.8 lakh, which translates to Rs 21.6 lakh annually. To retire, you’ll need to ensure your portfolio can generate sufficient cash flow to meet these needs while adjusting for inflation.

When Can You Retire?
Let’s analyze a few factors in deciding your retirement age:

Current Wealth and Inflation: The Rs 8 crore+ portfolio is substantial. However, assuming retirement in the near term, your wealth must outpace inflation to sustain lifestyle costs. Healthcare inflation, in particular, is rising faster than general inflation, which is essential to consider.

Target Corpus for Retirement: Based on your expenses and the 1.8 lakh monthly need, a sustainable corpus would require generating regular income without depleting the principal. A retirement corpus around Rs 10-12 crore, invested smartly, should suffice.

Projected Asset Growth: Your mutual funds, equities, and provident funds are likely to grow at a rate above inflation over the years. A mix of debt and equity allocations, with regular rebalancing, can further optimize returns.

Considering your assets and income, you could potentially retire within the next five years if you follow these steps:

Steps to Achieve a Comfortable Retirement
1. Consolidate and Optimize Your Portfolio
Evaluate LIC Policies: Traditional insurance policies like LIC typically yield low returns, often not keeping up with inflation. Surrendering these and reinvesting in mutual funds can increase returns and offer better liquidity.

Debt Reduction: Your Rs 40 lakh loan should ideally be cleared before retirement. This will reduce monthly expenses and allow you to allocate more funds toward growth investments.

Limit Cash Holdings: With Rs 75 lakh in cash and FDs, you have a substantial amount in low-yield instruments. Consider moving part of this into balanced or debt mutual funds for better post-tax returns.

Enhance Equity Allocation in India: Indian equities historically offer high returns over the long term. Given your risk capacity, boosting exposure to large and mid-cap mutual funds can help counter inflation.

2. Increase Exposure to Actively Managed Mutual Funds
Advantages of Actively Managed Funds: Actively managed funds can outperform passive index funds, especially in volatile markets, by utilizing research-driven strategies. Your existing Rs 1.8 crore in mutual funds can be expanded with selective additions to diversified funds.

Utilize Regular Funds: Direct funds often lack guidance from certified professionals, which could lead to missed opportunities. Investing through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) with regular funds helps in maintaining structured growth with regular advice.

3. Maximize NPS Contributions for Tax Efficiency
Increasing your monthly contributions to the National Pension System (NPS) can offer a larger retirement corpus while giving you tax benefits under Section 80CCD.
4. Systematic Withdrawal Planning
Upon retirement, a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) from your mutual fund corpus can help meet monthly expenses in a tax-efficient manner. Since SWP withdrawals are taxed only on the gains portion, it’s more tax-efficient than traditional withdrawals.

SGB Interest and Dividend Income: The Rs 26 lakh in SGBs provides annual interest income, which can add to your monthly cash flow. Dividend-paying stocks and funds can further supplement this income.

5. Health and Life Insurance Review
While you already have Rs 10 lakh in health insurance, consider an additional health insurance policy for critical illness or top-up covers. Medical costs tend to rise, especially in retirement.
6. Create a Contingency Fund for Emergencies
You can allocate part of your FDs or liquid funds as a contingency fund for emergencies. This fund should cover at least two years’ worth of expenses, so around Rs 35-40 lakh should be set aside.
Final Insights
With your impressive asset base, you’re well on track toward early retirement. Implementing these strategies could enable you to retire comfortably within the next five years while maintaining your lifestyle and financial security.

The key will be continuous review and fine-tuning of your portfolio, considering both growth and protection. With disciplined planning, you can achieve a financially secure, stress-free retirement for yourself and your family.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment
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  |7159 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Nov 05, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 05, 2024Hindi
Money
Dear Mr. Ramalingam Kalirajan, I am 51 years old, single with no dependent. currently I own a portfolio of INR 1.3 Cr in which 40 L is in MF and 10L in Bond and 10L in Gold. 50L in direct Shares and another 20L in Insurance (Ulip). apart from this I have a Flat which is worth of 60L. my Monthly expenses is around 40K, currently I am planning to retire, kindly let me know whether with this investment can I retire keeping life expectancy of 70-80 years. kindly advice.
Ans: It’s commendable that you’ve accumulated a substantial portfolio and are considering retirement thoughtfully. Let's evaluate each asset class within your portfolio to assess your retirement readiness.

Monthly Income Needs and Existing Assets

You mentioned monthly expenses of Rs 40,000.
Over a 20-30 year retirement period, inflation may gradually increase this amount. A sustainable withdrawal strategy will help address this.
Given a life expectancy of 70-80 years, a monthly income from investments is essential to meet your needs without depleting your corpus.
Mutual Funds

Your mutual fund corpus of Rs 40 lakh could play a key role in providing regular income.

Actively managed funds, unlike index funds, allow expert fund managers to navigate market conditions. They aim for growth even in uncertain markets.
These funds can also be diversified across equity and debt categories to maintain balance. Equity funds can support growth, while debt funds can offer stability and liquidity.
Suggested Action

Retain and build your mutual fund corpus. Regular funds through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD) offer guidance, minimizing risk while aiming for returns.
Setting up a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) can provide monthly income in a tax-efficient manner. SWP helps maintain principal while generating steady cash flow.
Direct Share Investments

With Rs 50 lakh in direct shares, your exposure to the equity market is significant.

Direct shares can be volatile and may not always align with the cash flow needs of retirement.
However, with proper management, shares may serve as a growth engine in your portfolio.
Suggested Action

Gradually shift part of your direct shares to diversified equity mutual funds. They provide professional management, spreading risk across sectors and companies.
Review the remaining stocks for potential dividends. Dividend-yielding stocks can complement your monthly cash flow needs.
Bond Investments

Your Rs 10 lakh in bonds offers stability but limited growth. Bonds are more effective as a balance to higher-growth assets like equities.

Bonds have fixed interest, but they may not keep up with inflation. Over time, they could lose purchasing power.
Suggested Action

Retain some bonds for safety but consider partially reallocating to debt mutual funds. Debt funds offer liquidity and potentially better post-tax returns than traditional bonds.
Maintain a mix of short and medium-term debt funds. These provide safety while possibly enhancing returns over traditional fixed-income instruments.
Gold Holdings

Gold can serve as a hedge in times of market volatility, and your Rs 10 lakh in gold contributes to a diversified portfolio.

However, gold alone may not generate regular income. It is more useful for capital preservation.
Suggested Action

Keep your gold as a long-term hedge but avoid expanding your holdings in gold.
For income generation, focus on growth-oriented assets like equity or hybrid funds, which combine equity and debt in a balanced manner.
Insurance (ULIP)

Your Rs 20 lakh in a Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP) provides both insurance and investment. However, ULIPs can come with high charges and may not yield optimal returns.

Suggested Action

It is advisable to consider surrendering or partially exiting the ULIP.
Reinvest the proceeds into mutual funds, which offer greater flexibility, transparency, and cost-efficiency. A term insurance policy can cover any remaining insurance needs.
Real Estate

You own a flat valued at Rs 60 lakh, which can provide security or rental income if required. However, real estate as an asset is typically illiquid, and immediate access to funds can be challenging.

Suggested Action

If rental income isn’t feasible, consider whether this asset aligns with your retirement goals. Selling the property can free up funds for more liquid investments.
Alternatively, keep it as a fallback option but prioritize liquid and income-generating investments for cash flow needs.
Creating a Sustainable Income Stream

To cover Rs 40,000 monthly expenses, an ideal approach is to create a mix of income sources from your portfolio:

A Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) from equity and hybrid mutual funds could provide monthly income while maintaining the principal.
Dividends from shares, if selected well, can further support your cash flow.
For liquidity, a portion in debt mutual funds or bonds can cover emergencies.
Optimizing Tax Efficiency

Long-term capital gains (LTCG) on equity mutual funds above Rs 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%, and short-term gains at 20%.
Debt funds, on the other hand, are taxed per your income tax slab.
Setting up withdrawals strategically can help minimize tax impact and extend the life of your corpus.
Maintaining Emergency Funds

Since you are planning for a lengthy retirement, set aside a portion of liquid assets as an emergency reserve. This could be a mix of cash, liquid mutual funds, and short-term debt funds.

A sufficient emergency fund provides a buffer without disrupting your main investment portfolio.
It ensures that you won’t need to liquidate assets in unfavorable market conditions.
Healthcare Planning

Without dependents, healthcare planning is crucial to address any unforeseen medical expenses. Consider a robust health insurance policy to minimize out-of-pocket costs.

If you already have health insurance, evaluate the coverage for adequacy.
Top-up plans can provide extra protection without a large increase in premiums.
Finally

Your retirement plan appears well-structured with diversified investments, yet a few refinements could ensure financial security. By consolidating your portfolio for income generation and stability, you can enjoy a comfortable and financially independent retirement.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

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Milind

Milind Vadjikar  |702 Answers  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Nov 26, 2024

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Hi Experts, I seek your guidance on my mutual fund portfolio. Below are the details: Total Portfolio Details: - Total Invested Amount: ?15,76,159 - Current Value: ?19,35,234 - Total Returns: ?3,59,075 (+22.78%) - XIRR: 20.75% Monthly SIP Contribution: ?1,18,000 Breakdown of monthly SIP contributions across funds: 1. Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund Direct Growth – ?30,000 2. SBI Large & Midcap Fund Direct Plan Growth – ?15,000 3. SBI Magnum Mid Cap Fund Direct Plan Growth – ?20,000 4. Nippon India Large Cap Fund Direct Growth – ?30,000 5. Nippon India Small Cap Fund Direct Growth – ?7,500 6. ICICI Prudential Technology Direct Plan Growth – ?10,000 7. Quant Small Cap Fund Direct Plan Growth – ?7,500 8. HSBC Small Cap Fund Direct Growth – ?5,000 9. Edelweiss US Technology Equity Fund of Funds Direct Growth – ?5,000 Can you suggest if I am on track to create 5 CR corpus in 10 years I have ?25 lakh invested in a Fixed Deposit (FD) in my mother’s account, earning an interest rate of 7.75%, to generate tax-free returns. Additionally, I’m planning to purchase a plot worth ?30–50 lakh in the next 1–2 years. Is it a good idea to keep the money in FD for now, or are there better short-term investment options I should consider to maximize returns while keeping the funds accessible for my future purchase? Looking forward to your suggestions! Thank you!
Ans: Hello;

Your monthly sip value adds upto 1.3 L however you have claimed it to be 1.18 L. (Maybe a typo).

Existing corpus(19.35 L) and monthly sip (1.3 L) won't reach 5 Cr in 10 years.

You have two options to make it happen:

1. Increase monthly sip amount to 1.9 L.

2. Top-up current monthly SIP of 1.3 L by minimum 10% each year for 10 years.

Both ways will lead you to a corpus of 5 Cr over 10 years.

You may consider money market mutual funds for parking your funds for a 1 year horizon. Returns may be comparable to FD returns but with flexibility to withdraw anytime. They typically have low to moderate risk.

Happy Investing;
X: @mars_invest

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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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