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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8315 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 29, 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 - Dec 27, 2023Hindi
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At present I M 56 years, in a private limited company, since July 2012, retired after 2 years in Nov. in hand 48K, how much pension expected after retirement. Can you help please to future plan.

Ans: Certainly, to estimate your pension after retirement, it's essential to consider various factors such as your years of service, salary, and the pension scheme offered by your company. Typically, private limited companies have their own pension schemes or contribute to government schemes like the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF). You should contact your company's HR department or refer to your employment contract for specific details regarding your pension entitlements.

For future planning, assess your current financial situation, including savings, investments, and any outstanding liabilities. Determine your retirement goals, expected expenses, and desired lifestyle. Consider consulting with a financial advisor or Certified Financial Planner who can analyze your financial status and help you create a personalized retirement plan. It's never too late to start planning for retirement, and with proper guidance, you can secure a comfortable and fulfilling retirement.
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  |8315 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 16, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 23, 2024Hindi
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I worked in Private company 1991 till 2007 after I stop working in india, since 2007 after me working in Abroad how much should I expect my pension amount after my age 55 as my Basic salary and D.A.that last period is as Basic 8510 and D.A 6051 .Pls can I know how much could I receive pension. At present date my age 53 now. Thanks
Ans: First, let me commend you for planning ahead for your retirement. Given your work history in India and abroad, understanding your pension can be complex. Let's break it down to make it simple and clear.

Eligibility for Pension
You mentioned working in a private company in India from 1991 to 2007. The Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) of 1995, managed by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), would cover this period. To be eligible for a pension under EPS, an employee must complete at least 10 years of service and attain the age of 50 for early pension or 58 for regular pension.

Service Period Calculation
You have worked in India for 16 years (1991 to 2007). This makes you eligible for the EPS pension since you meet the minimum requirement of 10 years.

Pension Calculation Method
The EPS pension is calculated based on the pensionable salary and the number of years of service. The pensionable salary is the average of the last 60 months of basic salary and dearness allowance (DA).

Understanding Pensionable Salary
From your information:

Basic Salary: Rs. 8,510
Dearness Allowance (DA): Rs. 6,051
So, your pensionable salary would be the sum of your basic salary and DA.

Early Pension at Age 55
Since you are currently 53 and considering early pension at 55, there is a reduction factor applied. The pension amount is reduced by a percentage for each year before 58.

Additional Considerations
Inflation and Future Value
It is important to consider the impact of inflation on your pension amount. While the pension might seem sufficient now, its value will decrease over time due to inflation. You might want to explore other investment options to supplement your pension income.

Savings and Investments
Since you have worked abroad, you might have accumulated savings and investments there. It's essential to factor in these amounts when planning your retirement. Diversifying your investments can help ensure a stable and sufficient income during retirement.

Health Insurance
Make sure you have adequate health insurance coverage. Healthcare costs can be significant in retirement, and having insurance can protect you from unexpected medical expenses.

Planning for Retirement
Given your current age of 53, you have a few more years to plan and save for your retirement. Here are some steps you can take:

Assess Your Financial Situation
Evaluate your current savings and investments.
Calculate your future income needs, considering inflation.
Diversify Your Investments
Invest in a mix of low-risk and high-risk options.
Consider mutual funds for long-term growth.
Review Your Insurance
Ensure you have adequate health insurance.
Consider a term life insurance policy if you don't have one.
Create a Retirement Budget
Estimate your monthly expenses in retirement.
Include costs for healthcare, travel, and leisure activities.
Final Insights
Your pension from EPS will provide a basic level of income. However, considering inflation and future financial needs, it's crucial to have a diversified investment portfolio. Planning now will help ensure a comfortable and secure retirement.

Thank you for your detailed query. Your foresight in planning for retirement is admirable. By following these steps and regularly reviewing your financial plan, you can achieve a financially secure retirement.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8315 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 26, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 23, 2024Hindi
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I worked in Private company 1991 till 2007 after I stop working in india, since 2007 after me working in Abroad how much should I expect my pension amount after my age 55 as my Basic salary and D.A.that last period is as Basic 8510 and D.A 6051 .Pls can I know how much could I receive pension. At present date my age 53 now. Thanks
Ans: Estimating Your Pension Amount from EPS
Understanding Your Financial Journey
First, it's commendable that you are planning for your retirement. Knowing the specifics of your employment history helps in estimating your pension accurately. You worked in a private company in India from 1991 to 2007 and have been working abroad since then. Your last drawn basic salary was Rs. 8,510 and Dearness Allowance (D.A.) was Rs. 6,051.

Basics of Employee Pension Scheme (EPS)
Eligibility:

Service Period: Minimum of 10 years of service is required to be eligible for the pension.
Age: Pension starts at the age of 58, but you can opt for early pension at 55 with a reduced amount.

Pensionable Salary:

It is the average salary of the last 60 months before exiting the EPS scheme.
For simplicity, let’s assume your last drawn basic + D.A. as the pensionable salary, which is Rs. 14,561 (8510 + 6051).
Pensionable Service:

Your service period is from 1991 to 2007, which is 16 years.
Early Pension Reduction
If you opt for early pension at 55, there is a reduction of 4% per year before 58. So, if you start at 55, it’s a reduction of 12% in total.

Calculating Your Pension
Without Reduction (at age 58):
Monthly Pension =(14561×16 / 70)=Rs. 3,327

With Early Pension Reduction (at age 55):
12% reduction for starting 3 years early:

Reduced Pension=3327×0.88=Rs. 2,928

Factors to Consider
Inflation: The calculated amount may seem small due to inflation over the years.

Additional Savings: Consider building a supplementary retirement corpus through other investment avenues.

Current Employment: Check if your current employment abroad provides any pension benefits or savings plans.

Recommendations for Financial Security
Mutual Funds:

Equity Mutual Funds: Invest in equity mutual funds for long-term growth to supplement your pension.
Debt Funds: These provide stability and reduce overall portfolio risk.
Systematic Investment Plan (SIP):

Discipline: Start a SIP to ensure disciplined investing.
Diversification: Allocate investments across different mutual fund categories for risk mitigation.
Reassess LIC Policy:

Surrender: Consider surrendering any traditional LIC policies and reinvesting in higher-return mutual funds.
Term Insurance: Opt for term insurance for adequate life cover at a lower premium.
Emergency Fund:

Essential: Set aside 6-12 months’ worth of expenses in a liquid fund for emergencies.
Regular Review:

Monitor Investments: Periodically review and adjust your portfolio based on market conditions and personal circumstances.
Seek Professional Advice: Consult a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) to optimise your investment strategy.
Conclusion
With your pensionable service and the pension formula, your estimated pension amount at age 55 is approximately Rs. 2,928 per month. This amount is relatively modest, so it’s crucial to supplement it with additional savings and investments. By investing in mutual funds through SIPs, maintaining an emergency fund, and considering term insurance, you can build a secure financial future.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

..Read more

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Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8315 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 30, 2025

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Hi Sir, My name is Abhishek, and i am 40 years old, I have 12 lakhs in FD, 6 lakhs in MF and stocks(5+1), and 10 lakhs cash, also, i have a flat in Delhi with 15 lakhs home loan, A car loan of 8 lakhs. and i am a software engr. In an MNC, having salary of 1.5 lakhs in a month. ABOVE IS ALL my asset. But i want to be financially free. Is it possible? Please suggest any best practical idea for me. Currently, WFH in ranchi.
Ans: At 40, with your current income and asset base, the goal of financial freedom is definitely achievable. Let’s work towards a 360-degree financial strategy to help you build a solid and practical roadmap.

Below is a complete evaluation and guidance to align your financial life with your freedom goal.

Current Financial Position – Snapshot and Assessment
You have Rs. 12 lakhs in Fixed Deposit.

You hold Rs. 6 lakhs in mutual funds and stocks.

You are keeping Rs. 10 lakhs in cash.

You have a flat in Delhi. You have Rs. 15 lakhs home loan on it.

You also have a car loan of Rs. 8 lakhs.

Your monthly salary is Rs. 1.5 lakhs from an MNC job. You are working from Ranchi now.

You are 40 years old and working in a stable job.

This is a very decent starting point. You are earning well, and you have good savings. But to reach financial freedom, we need better alignment.

Let’s move step-by-step.

Step 1 – Clarify What Financial Freedom Means to You
Financial freedom is not only about quitting your job.

It means you have enough income from investments to cover your monthly needs.

You should be able to choose to work or not, without worrying about money.

So first, we need to estimate your monthly future expenses post-retirement.

Let’s assume Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 80,000 per month today, adjusted for inflation later.

That means you need to create income sources to support at least Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 2 crore in future corpus.

This is not impossible. You have time and income to build this.

Step 2 – Improve the Quality of Your Assets
Let us now improve your asset quality to suit your freedom goal.

Rs. 12 lakhs in Fixed Deposit is very conservative.

FD earns low returns, and interest is fully taxable.

Keep only 4 to 5 lakhs in FD for emergency use.

Move the rest (7 to 8 lakhs) to good quality mutual funds through SIP.

Your Rs. 10 lakhs in cash is too much to keep idle.

Keep Rs. 1.5 to 2 lakhs in savings for short-term needs.

Move the balance Rs. 8+ lakhs to a liquid mutual fund for better returns.

Over the next 3 to 6 months, you can start shifting this towards equity-oriented funds.

Rs. 6 lakhs in MF and stocks is a good beginning.

But if these include index funds or direct funds, you must evaluate them carefully.

Index funds only copy the market, and don’t actively manage risks.

They underperform in falling or flat markets.

A good actively managed mutual fund is better in Indian conditions.

Direct mutual funds look low-cost, but no expert advice is included.

When you invest through a Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD) who is also a Certified Financial Planner, you get proper hand-holding.

Regular funds through a CFP-linked MFD provide portfolio monitoring, review, and behavioural coaching.

This helps avoid panic selling or greed-driven buying.

Step 3 – Work on Your Loans
You have Rs. 15 lakhs home loan.

This is acceptable if interest is below 8.5% per annum.

Home loan offers tax benefits also. So don’t rush to close it.

Continue paying EMIs without stress. Try to pre-pay 1 EMI every 6 months if possible.

This will reduce your loan term.

But do not use emergency cash or investments to close it.

Car loan of Rs. 8 lakhs is a liability without return.

Try to clear this in the next 1.5 years.

Use your bonus or incentives for that.

Avoid buying new cars or gadgets on EMI again.

Step 4 – Build a Systematic Investment Plan
You should be investing 30% to 40% of your monthly income.

That means Rs. 45,000 to Rs. 60,000 per month.

Start SIPs in diversified actively managed mutual funds.

Allocate more in equity-oriented funds for long-term growth.

Keep a small portion in hybrid or conservative hybrid funds for balance.

If you are supporting family, consider a term insurance plan (not ULIP or endowment).

Term insurance is cheaper and offers better coverage.

Also take health insurance for self and family, even if company gives cover.

Step 5 – Emergency Planning and Risk Management
You must keep an emergency fund equal to 6 months expenses.

You already have FD and cash, so earmark Rs. 3 to 4 lakhs for this.

Put this in a separate savings or liquid mutual fund account.

Don’t touch this unless there is an actual emergency.

Review your health and life insurance policies yearly.

Step 6 – Review and Improve Your Monthly Budgeting
Track your monthly expenses. Use simple mobile apps or Excel.

Avoid impulse expenses like gadgets, travel, or lifestyle items.

Stick to a monthly budget. Save before you spend.

Increase your SIPs every year by 10%.

This will match inflation and improve wealth creation.

Step 7 – Don’t Depend on Real Estate for Financial Freedom
Real estate has low liquidity and high maintenance.

Rental yield is only 2 to 3%.

Also, resale takes time and effort.

Don’t invest more in real estate. Focus on financial instruments instead.

Step 8 – Plan Your Retirement and Passive Income Sources
At age 40, you have 15–17 years to retire.

That’s enough time to build a retirement corpus.

If you invest Rs. 50,000 monthly for 15 years in mutual funds, wealth can be significant.

Once you retire, you can shift to monthly income plans from mutual funds.

These generate regular withdrawals with tax efficiency.

You must also reallocate to more conservative funds as you near retirement.

Avoid annuity products. They give low returns and poor liquidity.

Step 9 – Tax Planning and Filing
Use tax deductions wisely under Sec 80C, 80D and home loan benefits.

Keep your investments tax-efficient.

For example, equity fund gains up to Rs. 1.25 lakhs are tax-free annually.

Above this, LTCG is taxed at 12.5%.

Short-term capital gains from equity funds are taxed at 20%.

Debt fund gains are taxed as per your income slab.

You should do tax planning with a CFP who can review your total asset base.

Step 10 – Set Clear Milestones and Review Yearly
Set short, mid, and long-term goals.

For example: close car loan in 1 year, build Rs. 50 lakhs corpus in 5 years, etc.

Track these goals once every 6 months.

If you miss one goal, don’t panic. Adjust and continue.

Stay disciplined with SIPs and avoid timing the market.

Don’t follow tips or market trends blindly.

Final Insights
You are doing well for your age and income level.

But to reach financial freedom, you need more structured planning.

Convert your cash and FDs to wealth-generating assets.

Stop investing in real estate and focus on financial investments.

Eliminate loans step-by-step.

Increase your SIPs regularly and keep your portfolio reviewed by a Certified Financial Planner.

Review your goals, risks, and insurance every year.

Stay consistent and patient. Freedom will come earlier than expected.

You are on the right track. Just need direction, discipline, and dedication.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

...Read more

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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