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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8334 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 18, 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
Arvind Question by Arvind on May 13, 2024Hindi
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Very nice advice by you Sir,I really appreciate your approach to help the invester whatever his financial standing is. Actually I made a mistake in monthly Withdrawal amount as 300000 instead of Rs 30000. Please give me rough idea about the amount one should investin Balanced SWP fund to get rs 30000 per month

Ans: Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP):

Determining Investment Amount: The amount you need to invest in an SWP to get Rs. 30,000 monthly depends on various factors like:

Current corpus in the mutual fund scheme
Expected rate of return
Investment tenure (how long you plan to withdraw monthly)
Taxation on SWP Withdrawals: Yes, withdrawals from SWP are generally taxable.

Short-term Capital Gains (STCG): If you invested in the fund within the last year, withdrawals are taxed at your income tax slab rate.
Long-term Capital Gains (LTCG): If you invested for over a year in equity funds, gains exceeding Rs. 1 lakh per year are taxed at 10%.
Alternative: Monthly SIP from FD Income:

Potential Benefit: Investing your monthly FD income in SIPs can be beneficial for long-term wealth creation. Equity markets have the potential for higher returns compared to FDs. Actively managed funds involve experienced fund managers who try to pick stocks to outperform the market. Actively managed funds come with higher fees compared to passively managed funds.

Important Consideration: SIPs are for long-term investment horizons (typically 5+ years). Equity markets can be volatile in the short term.

Recommendation:

Consult a Certified Financial Planner (CFP): A CFP can analyze your situation, risk tolerance, and retirement goals. They can recommend the right investment approach (SWP or SIP) and suggest suitable mutual fund schemes.
Here's a quick example (not a recommendation):

Current Corpus: Rs. 50 lakh
Expected Return: 8%
Investment Tenure: 15 years
Based on these assumptions, you might need to invest a larger amount in an SWP to generate Rs. 30,000 monthly. However, this is a simplified example, and a CFP can provide a more accurate calculation.

Remember:

Focus on Long Term: Prioritize a long-term investment horizon for SIPs.
Tax Implications: Understand the tax implications of SWP withdrawals.
Professional Guidance: Consulting a CFP is recommended for a personalized retirement plan.
By consulting a CFP, you can develop a strategy that meets your income needs and maximizes your retirement savings!
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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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8334 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 12, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 23, 2024Hindi
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Hello Gurus. I am 45 years old and working in a private firm. I plan to retire in about 15 years. I have adequate amount of savings in PPF, EPF, FDs and some Mutual Funds. Can you suggest what amount i need to invest monthly/yearly in a good SWP, for a withdrawal of say Rs 60,000 a month after 15 years.
Ans: It's commendable that you're planning ahead for your retirement. Let's calculate the amount you need to invest regularly in a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) to achieve your goal of withdrawing Rs 60,000 per month after 15 years.

Firstly, we need to determine the future value of your monthly withdrawals. Using a retirement calculator or financial planning software, we can estimate the corpus required to sustain a monthly withdrawal of Rs 60,000 for your desired retirement period, accounting for inflation and potential investment returns.

Once we have the estimated corpus needed, we can work backward to determine the required monthly/yearly investment in a suitable investment vehicle with growth potential, such as equity mutual funds or a balanced portfolio, to accumulate that corpus over the remaining 15 years.

Given your existing savings in PPF, EPF, FDs, and Mutual Funds, we'll consider integrating the SWP strategy with your overall portfolio to optimize returns and manage risk effectively.

It's crucial to review and adjust your investment strategy periodically to adapt to changing market conditions, financial goals, and risk tolerance.

Consulting with a Certified Financial Planner will provide personalized insights and recommendations tailored to your specific circumstances, ensuring a robust retirement plan aligned with your aspirations and financial objectives.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8334 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 13, 2024

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Sir,What amount I should investin SWP Equity to get monthly Rs 300000. I am retired n 62 years old.Are monthly withdrawals from SWP taxable.I have another idea.If I put my monthly income from Bank FD in monthly SIP,will it be beneficial?
Ans: Given your situation, I understand the importance of securing a stable income post-retirement. First, let me commend you on your proactive approach towards financial planning at this stage of life. It's crucial to ensure that your investments align with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

For generating a monthly income of Rs 300,000 through Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) in equity, it's prudent to evaluate various factors. Considering your age and risk profile, investing entirely in equity might not be advisable. While equities offer potential for growth, they also come with higher volatility.

An alternative approach would be to adopt a balanced investment strategy, allocating a portion of your portfolio to equity and the rest to less volatile instruments like debt or hybrid funds. This can help mitigate risk while aiming for consistent returns.

Regarding the taxation of SWP withdrawals, equity-oriented mutual funds held for over a year are subject to Long-Term Capital Gains Tax (LTCG) of 10% exceeding Rs 1 lakh per annum. However, withdrawals up to Rs 1 lakh are exempt from LTCG tax. For withdrawals within this limit, only Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) is applicable.

Now, let's address your idea of investing your monthly income from Bank FD into SIPs. While SIPs offer the benefit of rupee cost averaging and disciplined investing, relying solely on them may not be optimal.

Bank FDs typically offer lower returns compared to equity investments, especially considering inflation. By diversifying your investments across different asset classes, you can potentially enhance returns and manage risk more effectively.

However, it's crucial to consult with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to tailor an investment strategy that aligns with your financial objectives, risk appetite, and time horizon. A CFP can help you navigate through various investment options and craft a holistic financial plan that suits your needs.

In conclusion, while SWP in equity can provide a steady income stream, it's essential to diversify your portfolio and consider taxation implications. Additionally, exploring investment avenues beyond Bank FDs can help optimize returns over the long term.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8334 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Feb 04, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jan 19, 2025Hindi
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Hello sir my current MF portfolio is around 70lakhs with different funds like balanced multi midcap and smallcap funds from 3 different fund houses like hdfc icici nippon. My question is now i want monthly income around 1lakh i can also invest more 30lakhs. Kindly explain me how much swp should i withdraw beside saving my corpus till i live now i am 50 years
Ans: You want Rs. 1 lakh monthly from your mutual fund corpus. You also plan to invest Rs. 30 lakh more. Your goal is to withdraw through SWP while preserving your capital.

Let’s break this down step by step.

Existing Portfolio and New Investment
Your current mutual fund corpus is Rs. 70 lakh.
You plan to invest Rs. 30 lakh more.
Your total mutual fund investment will be Rs. 1 crore.
You have funds across balanced, multi-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap categories.
These are from three fund houses: HDFC, ICICI, and Nippon.
Required Withdrawal Through SWP
You need Rs. 1 lakh per month.
That equals Rs. 12 lakh per year.
Your goal is to withdraw this amount while keeping your corpus intact.
Sustainable SWP Strategy
To ensure that your money lasts, consider these points:

Average Expected Return: A mix of equity and debt funds can give 10-12% annual return.
Safe Withdrawal Rate: A sustainable SWP rate is 7-8% of the corpus.
Rs. 1 Crore Corpus: A 7-8% annual withdrawal is Rs. 7-8 lakh per year.
Shortfall: You need Rs. 12 lakh yearly but should ideally withdraw Rs. 7-8 lakh.
Solution for the Shortfall
To cover the extra Rs. 4-5 lakh needed:

Invest Rs. 30 Lakh More in Balanced and Debt Funds

This will create additional stability.
The portfolio will generate steady returns.
Withdraw Less in Initial Years

Start with Rs. 80,000 per month.
Increase withdrawal every year based on fund growth.
Rebalance the Portfolio Annually

Move profits from equity to debt funds.
Maintain an ideal mix of 60% equity and 40% debt.
Asset Allocation for Stability
To ensure long-term sustainability:

Equity Funds (60%) – For long-term capital growth.
Debt and Hybrid Funds (40%) – To provide stability and steady SWP.
Emergency Fund (Rs. 5-10 Lakh in FD or Liquid Funds) – To manage unexpected expenses.
Tax Implications of SWP
Equity Funds: If held for over 1 year, gains above Rs. 1 lakh are taxed at 10%.
Debt Funds: If held for over 3 years, gains are taxed at 20% with indexation benefits.
SWP Tax Impact: Only the capital gains portion of the withdrawal is taxed, not the principal.
Risk Management
Avoid Withdrawing Too Much: If you withdraw more than 8% yearly, the corpus may deplete.
Market Volatility: In bad market years, withdraw from debt funds instead of equity.
Keep Medical Insurance Active: Ensure coverage for hospital expenses to avoid using savings.
Final Insights
Your current corpus and planned investment are strong.
A well-structured SWP can provide Rs. 1 lakh monthly.
You must limit withdrawals to 7-8% to sustain funds for life.
Rebalancing and asset allocation are key for long-term stability.
Plan tax-efficient withdrawals to maximise savings.
Your financial independence is within reach. A disciplined strategy will keep your funds growing while providing steady income.

Best Regards,

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8334 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - May 12, 2025
Money
I am 38 years old and self-employed, earning an average of 1.8 to 2 lakhs per month. I have a home loan of 44 lakhs (EMI is 46,000, tenure 15 years). There is no other liabilities. My investments include 11 lakhs in mutual funds, 3 lakhs in fixed deposits, and 1.5 lakh in gold. Should I focus on prepaying the home loan given my irregular income, or keep my investments intact and continue with EMIs?
Ans: You are doing quite well, especially with your investments and controlled liabilities. Your financial discipline is truly appreciable.

You are 38, self-employed, with Rs.1.8 to 2 lakhs monthly income.
Your current home loan is Rs.44 lakhs with EMI of Rs.46,000 for 15 years.
You have Rs.11 lakhs in mutual funds, Rs.3 lakhs in FDs, and Rs.1.5 lakhs in gold.
Your income is irregular, but you have no other liabilities.

Let us now do a 360-degree evaluation of whether to prepay the loan or stay invested.

 

Step-by-Step Financial Assessment
1. Evaluate the Stability of Your Income First
You earn between Rs.1.8 to Rs.2 lakhs per month.

 

But income is irregular. That needs caution.

 

Loan EMI is Rs.46,000 — about 25% of your average income.

 

If income drops in any month, EMI pressure will increase.

 

So we must first ensure EMI is always affordable, without stress.

 

Hence, liquidity is more important for you right now than aggressive loan prepayment.

 

2. Evaluate Your Emergency Reserve
You have Rs.3 lakhs in FD and Rs.1.5 lakhs in gold.

 

That makes it Rs.4.5 lakhs total liquid safety.

 

Your EMI is Rs.46,000, and personal expenses will also be there.

 

Ideal emergency fund for you = 6 to 9 months of expenses + EMI.

 

That is around Rs.6 to Rs.8 lakhs minimum.

 

So current emergency fund is slightly lower than ideal.

 

Please don’t use this for loan prepayment now.

 

3. Assess the Role of Mutual Funds
You have Rs.11 lakhs in mutual funds. That’s a solid step.

Now let’s assess whether to redeem this and prepay loan.

 

Should You Redeem Mutual Funds to Prepay?
Mutual funds, over long term, give better post-tax return than loan savings.

 

Loan interest is 8% to 9%, whereas mutual funds can give 11–13% in long term.

 

Especially if funds are equity-oriented and held for 5+ years.

 

You will also get capital gains tax exemption on Rs.1.25 lakhs LTCG annually.

 

If you redeem funds, you lose growth potential and compounding.

 

That hurts long-term wealth building.

 

So, do not redeem the entire Rs.11 lakhs in mutual funds.

 

4. Disadvantage of Early Loan Prepayment in Your Case
Prepaying early will reduce interest over time, yes.

 

But you may run into cash flow stress in slow months.

 

Once money is used to prepay, it cannot be taken back easily.

 

Liquidity once lost = flexibility lost.

 

Also, income tax benefit under Section 24(b) gets reduced if loan balance drops.

 

So it’s better to maintain balance between repayment and investment.

 

5. Best Strategy for You – A Balanced Approach
Let’s now craft the best plan for you.

 

Maintain Strong Liquidity First
Keep FD and gold untouched.

 

Increase emergency fund to at least Rs.6–Rs.7 lakhs.

 

For that, set aside extra Rs.2.5–Rs.3 lakhs from savings over time.

 

This makes your EMI safe even in low-income months.

 

Continue Your Mutual Fund SIPs Without Stopping
SIPs give long-term growth and beat loan interest in most cases.

 

Don’t stop mutual fund investments to prepay loan.

 

Stay invested. Let wealth compound.

 

Start Small and Periodic Prepayments
Don’t do bulk prepayment now. Do systematic small prepayments.

 

For example, Rs.25,000 to Rs.50,000 extra every 3–4 months.

 

When income is higher, use that surplus to prepay in parts.

 

Target 1–2 bulk part-payments per year.

 

This reduces tenure and interest slowly, without affecting liquidity.

 

Track Your Loan Amortisation Every 6 Months
Use netbanking or get a fresh loan statement every 6 months.

 

Check how each prepayment is reducing principal.

 

Adjust your strategy accordingly.

 

Avoid One-Time Full Prepayment
That would kill your long-term investment compounding.

 

Also removes your income tax benefit under Section 24(b).

 

Stay flexible. You are self-employed.

 

You need cash buffers more than salaried people.

 

Final Insights
Do not do bulk home loan prepayment from mutual funds now.

 

Keep SIPs going and maintain your compounding.

 

Grow your emergency fund to Rs.6–7 lakhs minimum.

 

Use surplus months to make small part-payments towards home loan.

 

This protects your peace and builds wealth at the same time.

 

Reassess in 2–3 years. You may be able to prepay more later.

 

You are already in a good financial position. Your thoughtful approach is praiseworthy.

 

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8334 Answers  |Ask -

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

Money
i wish to purchase new car i10, should i purchase the same through own money or should i take a vehicle loan from bank and the money own by my to be kept as FDR or liquid mutual fund
Ans: It’s a good sign that you’re thinking before buying a car. You’re not rushing into it. That shows maturity and smart thinking.

We will now evaluate own money vs vehicle loan — from every angle.

 

Understanding the Nature of a Car Purchase
A car is not an investment.

 

It is a consumption asset, not a growth asset.

 

It depreciates every year. Its value goes down, not up.

 

So the cheaper the total cost, the better for your wealth.

 

Option 1: Use Own Money Fully
Pros

No interest cost. You save on total expenses.

 

You are free from monthly EMI pressure.

 

Car becomes fully yours from day one.

 

No need to deal with bank, forms, hypothecation etc.

 

Cons

Your liquid money reduces.

 

You may not have enough cash for emergencies.

 

Opportunity loss if you had invested that money.

 

Option 2: Take Vehicle Loan & Keep Own Money in FDR or Liquid Mutual Fund
Let’s evaluate this with care.

Vehicle Loan Pros

You can preserve your savings for emergencies.

 

EMI can be budgeted monthly, if income is stable.

 

Some banks offer competitive interest rates.

 

Vehicle Loan Cons

You will pay interest on a depreciating item.

 

Loan adds to your monthly obligations.

 

You must pay insurance, EMI, fuel, and service together.

 

FDR and Liquid Mutual Funds give lower returns than loan cost.

 

So you will likely lose more in interest than you gain.

 

Let's Compare: Interest Rate vs Investment Return
Vehicle loan interest is usually 9% to 11% per year.

 

FDR gives around 6% to 7% before tax.

 

Liquid mutual funds give 6% to 7.5% on average.

 

So you pay more to the bank than you earn from investment.

 

Tax on interest or gains reduces actual return further.

 

This means taking a car loan and investing your own money leads to net loss.

 

Best Option for You: Smart Compromise Approach
Let me share a wise solution.

 

Don’t use full own money. Don’t take full loan either.

 

Instead, pay 70–80% from own funds.

 

Take a small car loan for the remaining 20–30% only.

 

This keeps EMI low and retains some liquidity.

 

You reduce interest cost and also keep Rs.50,000–Rs.1 lakh aside.

 

Park that in liquid fund for any urgent need.

 

Repay this small loan fast in 1–2 years.

 

Only Take a Car Loan If:
Your job income is stable.

 

You already have 3–6 months emergency fund ready.

 

You don’t have big loans running now.

 

You can pay EMI without affecting savings.

 

You commit to close the loan early.

 

Avoid This Mistake:
Never buy a more expensive car because loan makes it “feel affordable.”

 

Loan should not expand your car budget.

 

Whether you buy with loan or cash, pick a simple car within limits.

 

i10 is a wise, middle-ground choice. Good thought.

 

Tax Angle (If Business Use)
If you are using the car for business, vehicle loan interest may be tax-deductible.

 

But for personal use, there is no tax benefit.

 

So do not take loan just for imagined tax saving.

 

Final Insights
A car is a need, not an investment.

 

Using your own money fully keeps things simple and cheap.

 

Taking a full car loan and investing the money gives net negative return.

 

Best option is a split approach — pay major part from own funds.

 

Take small loan only if needed and close it early.

 

Always keep emergency money aside before buying.

 

Avoid emotional buying or overbudget cars.

 

Your financially balanced approach is very appreciable.

 

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

...Read more

Anu

Anu Krishna  |1600 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on May 12, 2025

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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