Ours is a family of 3 people -- My wife, I and my daughter who is 15. I am 39, my wife is 37 and our monthly expenses are Rs 90K. I own my house and expect to have no fixed income after 65 years, and expect to live till 75. Considering the ever...

Ours is a family of 3 people -- My wife, I and my daughter who is 15. I am 39, my wife is 37 and our monthly expenses are Rs 90K. I own my house and expect to have no fixed income after 65 years, and expect to live till 75. Considering the ever increasing price rise what should be my corpus at 65 for me to continue living the life style I am living today?

Ans: Calculating your retirement corpus:

Here's how to estimate the corpus you'll need to maintain your current lifestyle after retirement:

1. Retirement period:

You plan to retire at 65 and expect to live till 75. So, your retirement period is 75 - 65 = 10 years.

2. Inflation adjustment:

You've rightly considered inflation. To estimate future expenses, we need to factor in inflation. A safe assumption for India is 5-7% inflation. Let's take an average of 6%.

3. Current monthly expenses:

You spend Rs 90,000 per month currently.

4. Future monthly expenses:

To find the monthly expense at retirement (at 65), we need to consider inflation for 26 years (39 years till retirement + 10 years retirement).

You can use an inflation calculator online or a simple formula:

Future monthly expense = Current monthly expense * (1 + Inflation rate)^number of years

In your case, Future monthly expense = Rs 90,000 * (1 + 0.06)^26 ≈ Rs 3,28,550 (approximately Rs 3.29 lakh)

5. Total corpus calculation:

Now you can calculate the total corpus needed. Here's a common approach:

Total corpus = Monthly expense * Number of years in retirement * 12 (months)

However, this method doesn't consider the fact that you'll be withdrawing money every month, reducing the corpus. A more accurate method is using the Time Value of Money (TVM) concept. There are online TVM calculators or Excel functions you can use.

Here's an alternative approach that provides a reasonable estimate:

Multiply the future monthly expense (Rs 3.29 lakh) by a factor considering inflation over the period. This factor can vary depending on your risk tolerance and investment strategy. A factor of 200 is often used as a conservative estimate.
Total corpus = Rs 3.29 lakh/month * 200 (factor) = Rs 6.58 crore (approximately Rs 658 million)

Additional factors to consider:

• Daughter's future expenses: Your daughter will be an adult by the time you retire. While she won't be financially dependent, consider any potential future support you might want to provide for her education or marriage.
• Healthcare costs: Healthcare expenses tend to increase with age. Factor in potential medical needs during retirement.
• Debt: If you have any outstanding debt by the time you retire, you'll need to account for its repayment in your corpus calculation.
• Investment returns: The corpus amount assumes a certain rate of return on your investments. Research different investment options and their potential returns to refine your calculations.

Recommendation:

Consult a financial advisor for a personalised retirement plan considering your specific financial situation, risk tolerance, and investment goals. They can help you create a more comprehensive plan and suggest suitable investment strategies to achieve your corpus target.

Remember, this is an estimate. Regularly review your plan and adjust it based on changing circumstances.

Ans: Planning to retire early, especially by 35, and then leading a spiritual life is a unique and commendable goal. I appreciate your focus and dedication. Let’s dive into how you can achieve this dream step by step, ensuring you have enough to live comfortably until 80 years.

Understanding Your Financial Needs
To start with, let's break down your financial journey and requirements.

Current Financial Situation:

You earn Rs. 1 lakh monthly, with no current savings but a clear investment plan.

Your monthly expenses are around Rs. 15,000, which is quite manageable given your income.

Investment Strategy:

You've started a SIP of Rs. 30,000 per month, which is a solid move.

Increasing it by 10% annually is wise and shows foresight in managing inflation and growing your investments.

Future Expenses:

You expect monthly expenses to rise to Rs. 30,000 in 7 years, accounting for inflation.

This seems reasonable given typical inflation rates and your lifestyle expectations.

Long-Term Financial Goal:

You plan to retire at 35 and need funds to last till 80, which is 45 years.
Estimating the Required Corpus
To live comfortably after retirement with an expected Rs. 30,000 monthly expense adjusted for inflation, you need to calculate how much you’ll need saved up. Let’s break it down:

Monthly Expenses in Future Terms:

At retirement in 7 years, Rs. 30,000 is your expected monthly need.

Considering an annual inflation rate of around 6%, Rs. 30,000 today would likely equate to Rs. 45,000 in 7 years.

Annual Expenses:

Your annual expenses would be Rs. 45,000 x 12 = Rs. 5,40,000.
Corpus Calculation:

You’ll need to cover 45 years of these expenses.

A rough estimate would suggest you need Rs. 5,40,000 annually, multiplied by the number of years you expect to live post-retirement.

To factor in inflation and ensure your corpus lasts, we use the "4% rule" in reverse to calculate the required corpus.

According to this rule, to withdraw Rs. 5,40,000 annually, your corpus should be 25 times this amount, i.e., Rs. 5,40,000 x 25 = Rs. 1.35 crores approximately.

To account for inflation and other contingencies, it’s safe to aim for a corpus of Rs. 2 crores.

Strategic Investment Approach
Given your goal, let’s outline a robust investment strategy:

Continue with SIP:

Your current SIP of Rs. 30,000 is a great start. With a 10% annual increase, it will significantly grow your corpus.

By investing in equity mutual funds, you can expect returns averaging 12% per annum over the long term.

Use a combination of large-cap, mid-cap, and flexi-cap funds to diversify and maximize returns.

Increase Contributions:

As your income grows, try to save and invest more than the planned 10% increase.

The more you can invest now, the more compounding will work in your favor.

Diversify Investments:

Consider adding debt funds or balanced funds to reduce risk and provide stability.

As you near retirement, gradually increase your exposure to safer, less volatile assets.

Emergency Fund:

Maintain a separate emergency fund to cover at least 6 months of your expenses.

This fund should be in a highly liquid form like a savings account or a short-term fixed deposit.

Monitoring and Adjusting Your Plan
Regularly reviewing and adjusting your financial plan is crucial to stay on track. Here’s how to keep your plan aligned with your goals:

Annual Review:

Annually review your investments and financial situation. Assess whether you’re on track to meet your retirement corpus goal.

Adjust your SIP contributions if you can afford to increase them more.

Rebalance Portfolio:

Periodically rebalance your investment portfolio to maintain your desired asset allocation.

This ensures that you are not overly exposed to one asset class, minimizing risk.

Stay Updated on Financial Goals:

Keep yourself informed about changes in the financial markets and economic conditions.

Adapt your investment strategy to any major shifts that could impact your goals.

Benefits of Actively Managed Funds
When it comes to building a corpus for early retirement, actively managed funds have distinct advantages over index funds:

Higher Potential Returns:

Actively managed funds aim to outperform the market, providing higher returns over the long term.

Skilled fund managers can leverage market opportunities, especially in a growing economy like India.

Flexibility:

These funds can adapt to changing market conditions, investing in sectors or stocks that are expected to perform well.

This dynamic approach is particularly beneficial when planning for a significant goal like early retirement.

Professional Management:

Investing through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) ensures you get expert advice tailored to your needs.

CFPs help in selecting the right funds and managing your portfolio effectively.

Disadvantages of Direct Funds
While direct funds save on distributor fees, they have some drawbacks, especially for someone planning an early retirement:

Complexity and Time Commitment:

Managing direct funds requires significant time and expertise in selecting and monitoring investments.

Without professional guidance, it’s easy to make mistakes that could impact your financial goals.

Lack of Personalized Advice:

Direct investors miss out on personalized financial advice and strategies provided by an MFD or CFP.

Expert advice is crucial in complex financial planning, especially for early retirement.

Stress and Uncertainty:

The responsibility of tracking and managing investments can be stressful, especially without a financial background.

Having a CFP ensures peace of mind and confidence in your financial plan.

Preparing for Non-Financial Aspects of Retirement
Financial planning is crucial, but preparing for retirement involves more than just money:

Define Your Post-Retirement Goals:

Clearly outline your plans for your spiritual journey and lifestyle after retirement.

This clarity will help you align your financial goals with your life goals.

Health and Wellness:

Maintain a healthy lifestyle to ensure you can enjoy your retirement years.

Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and mental well-being practices are essential.

Stay Engaged and Active:

Plan activities or hobbies that keep you engaged and fulfilled during retirement.

This could include volunteering, traveling, or pursuing personal interests.

Build a Support System:

Cultivate a strong social network to provide emotional support and companionship.

Staying connected with family, friends, and community can enhance your retirement experience.

Final Insights
Your goal of retiring at 35 to pursue a spiritual journey is inspiring. With focused planning and disciplined investing, you can achieve it. Here’s a summary to keep you on track:

Target Corpus:

Aim for a retirement corpus of at least Rs. 2 crores to ensure a comfortable life till 80.
Strategic Investing:

Continue with your SIP, increasing it annually. Diversify your portfolio with a mix of equity and debt funds.
Professional Guidance:

Leverage the expertise of a Certified Financial Planner to optimize your investments and achieve your goals.
Regular Monitoring:

Review your financial plan annually and adjust your investments as needed.
Balance Financial and Non-Financial Planning:

Prepare for the lifestyle and emotional aspects of retirement, ensuring a fulfilling and rewarding journey.
By following these steps and maintaining a disciplined approach, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your dream of early retirement and embarking on your spiritual journey.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in