My pension per month is 1.25 lakhs which is indexed to inflation as per the state government rules through the payment of dearness allowance from time to time. The pension also gets revised upwards every ten years. I donated all my savings, about two crores, to my sons who are well placed in company jobs. Now my saving is meagre, only a few lakhs. I am now 72 years old and live with my wife who is 10 years younger. I am also reasonably healthy. After my death, my wife will get family pension which will be about 70 percent of my pension. I also save 70 per cent of my pension and every few years I donate the saved amount to my sons. I don't have any insurance cover. My question is whether I should go for financial planning?

Ans: Retirement doesn't look the same for everyone, and we all have different definitions of what's "enough" money you need to finally put to work in your rear-view mirror. But if you've accomplished the actions listed below, you're probably nearing the home stretch before your well-earned rest and relaxation

You have enough money to have the retirement you want. Figuring out how much money you need to have saved before you can quit working is a job in and of itself. Some say that you should save at least 10 times your annual salary by the time you're 67. Others point to the 4% rule, which states that you should be able to comfortably live off of about 4% of your investments in each year of retirement, thus allowing you to cover expenses for about 30 years.

You have a fund for unforeseen expenses. One of the biggest mistakes a retiree can make is not having an emergency fund. In retirement, a lot of your investments and sources of income are less liquid than cash, since you can't just go to your bank and withdraw cash from your account instantly when your money is invested in the market.

You have a diverse portfolio to protect your wealth. It's not a good idea to put all your eggs in one basket when it comes to creating sources of income for retirement. You mitigate risk by spreading your savings and investments across multiple streams of future income.

You have a plan to afford healthcare

Healthcare costs rise exponentially in retirement. Many people receive health insurance through their employers, but this benefit typically ends once the individual no longer works there.

"Retirement is not a destination, it's a journey. And like any journey, it's important to be prepared. That means being mentally as well as financially prepared."

Ans: Your financial plan exhibits careful consideration of various aspects of retirement planning. With no loans and a substantial corpus, you are in a favorable position. Here's an analytical review of your plan and some suggestions for optimizing your strategy.

Monthly and Annual Income
With a monthly pension of ?40,000 and additional rental income, your immediate cash flow needs are well-covered. The planned Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) from Mutual Funds (MFs) will supplement this, providing additional liquidity.

Mutual Funds with SWP
Investing ?1 crore in Mutual Funds with a SWP of ?25,000 per month is a solid strategy. Mutual Funds offer potential for capital appreciation and can help in beating inflation over the long term. Actively managed funds are recommended over index funds due to the potential for higher returns.

Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS)
Allocating ?30 lakh to SCSS is a wise choice. SCSS offers attractive interest rates, tax benefits under Section 80C, and regular quarterly interest payouts, which will further support your monthly cash flow.

Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS)
Investing ?9 lakh in POMIS provides a reliable source of monthly income. This scheme offers a fixed monthly return, which can help in managing your monthly expenses.

Fixed Deposit (FD) in Post Office
The FD of ?2 lakh in your wife's name is a conservative yet safe option. Post Office FDs offer guaranteed returns, although they are relatively low. Ensure to reinvest upon maturity to continue earning interest.

Public Provident Fund (PPF)
Continuing to invest ?20 lakh in PPF is an excellent decision. PPF provides tax-free returns, compounded annually, and is a risk-free investment option. It also contributes to your retirement corpus growth, albeit with a lock-in period of 15 years.

Emergency Fund
Maintaining an emergency fund of ?20 lakh in FD ensures that you have quick access to funds in case of unforeseen circumstances. This amount seems adequate considering your overall financial situation.

Tax Efficiency and Inflation Protection
To minimize tax and beat inflation, consider the following suggestions:

Tax-efficient Investments: Ensure that your mutual funds include equity-oriented funds, as these have favorable tax treatment compared to debt funds. Long-term capital gains from equity funds are taxed at a lower rate.
Diversification: Diversify your mutual fund investments across equity, debt, and hybrid funds to balance risk and returns. This will help in managing market volatility and securing steady returns.
Regular Review: Periodically review your portfolio to adjust for changing market conditions and life events. Consulting with a Certified Financial Planner can help you make informed decisions.
Long-term Growth and Security
Your plan should focus on growth while ensuring security. Diversification across different asset classes helps in managing risks. Ensure to keep some funds in liquid assets for any immediate requirements.

Empathy and Understanding
Your plan shows a thoughtful approach towards securing your and your family's future. The allocation towards your daughters' education and marriage demonstrates your responsible planning.

Conclusion
Your financial plan is well-structured, balancing income, growth, and security. By focusing on diversified investments, tax efficiency, and periodic reviews, you can achieve your goal of a comfortable retirement, managing your expenses, and growing your corpus to beat inflation.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in