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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10014 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Oct 24, 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 - Oct 16, 2024Hindi
Money

Hi, I’m 36 years old, currently doing a SIP of ?40,000 monthly. With the portfolio managed by my advisor (mentioned below), I have a corpus of ?26 lakhs. My goal is to accumulate ?10 crores by the age of 55. I don't want to increase my SIP amount but might have some funds available for lump sum investments occasionally. Could you please help me plan my strategy to achieve this goal? Portfolio (by advisor) Lump Sum: 1. ABSL Multi-asset Allocation Fund 2. ABSL Multi-cap Fund 3. Bajaj Finserv Multi-asset Allocation Fund 4. Edelweiss Greater China Equity Offshore Fund SIP: 5. ABSL Equity Advantage Fund (Large and Mid Cap) 6. HSBC Large and Mid Cap Fund 7. Motilal Oswal Mid Cap Fund 8. White Oak Capital Flexi Cap Fund 9. Edelweiss Small Cap Fund 10. ICICI Pru India Opportunities Fund (Thematic Equity) 11. ICICI Pru Thematic Advantage Fund (FOF) 12. ABSL GenNext Fund (Thematic Consumption) I’ve started learning more about mutual funds so that I can manage my investments independently. Based on my current understanding, I would like to make the changes within the same sectors (incase I am not changing the portfolio). Could you please provide suggestions or feedback on these proposed changes? Proposed Changes LS: ABSL Multi-asset Allocation Fund (Replace with Nifty 50 Index Fund) LS: Bajaj Finserv Multi-asset Allocation Fund (Considering switching to Quant Multi Asset Allocation Fund or ICICI Multi Asset Allocation Fund) LS: Edelweiss Greater China Equity Offshore Fund (Unsure about what to do here. Could you advise?) SIP: ABSL Equity Advantage Fund (Replace with Bandhan Core Equity Fund) SIP: White Oak Capital Flexi Cap Fund (Replace with JM Flexi Cap or Edelweiss Flexi Cap Fund) SIP: ICICI Pru India Opportunities Fund (Unsure about this one as well. Any suggestions?) SIP: ABSL GenNext Fund (Replace with SBI Consumption Opportunities Fund) Your feedback would be highly appreciated!

Ans: Achieving Rs 10 Crores by Age 55: Comprehensive Portfolio Assessment
You’ve made a commendable start by building a corpus of Rs 26 lakhs and contributing Rs 40,000 monthly through SIP. With the goal of reaching Rs 10 crores by the age of 55, it’s important to refine your investment strategy to maximize the potential of your portfolio.

Let’s discuss your current portfolio, proposed changes, and the adjustments necessary to streamline and enhance your investment plan.

Portfolio Overview and Insights
Your current portfolio is diversified across different categories of mutual funds, both through lump sum investments and SIPs. Here's what you have:

Lump Sum Investments:

Multi-Asset Funds
Offshore Fund (China-specific exposure)
SIP Investments:

Large and Mid Cap Funds
Flexi Cap Funds
Mid Cap and Small Cap Funds
Thematic and Sector Funds
Your portfolio provides exposure to a broad range of sectors, asset classes, and geographies. This is important for diversification but also comes with certain risks, particularly in areas like sectoral funds and concentrated offshore investments.

Key Observations and Risks
Before moving on to your proposed changes, it’s important to address several key issues with your current portfolio:

Too Many Funds and Portfolio Overlap:

Your portfolio currently consists of many mutual funds spread across multiple categories. While diversification is critical, having too many funds can lead to portfolio overlap. This means that several of your funds could be investing in the same stocks or sectors, which reduces the benefits of diversification.

For example:

Large and Mid Cap Funds: You hold more than one large and mid-cap fund. While this provides stability, it also increases the chances that these funds are investing in similar stocks.
Thematic and Sectoral Funds: Your portfolio contains several thematic and sectoral funds. These funds have a focused approach, investing heavily in specific sectors or themes. However, this can lead to excessive exposure to a single sector, making your portfolio more vulnerable to sector-specific downturns.
The main issue with having too many funds is that it dilutes the performance of the portfolio. You are likely to face diminishing returns because of the overlap, and it makes tracking the performance of individual funds more difficult.

High Exposure to Thematic and Sectoral Funds:

Thematic and sectoral funds can offer higher returns, but they are also more volatile. These funds depend on the performance of specific sectors or industries, which can be cyclical in nature. When the sector performs well, your returns will be impressive. However, if the sector faces challenges, the performance of these funds will be affected significantly.

For example:

Consumption Theme: A thematic fund focusing on consumption might perform well during periods of high consumer spending, but it could underperform during economic slowdowns.
Thematic Equity: This is a high-risk category, and having multiple thematic funds in your portfolio can lead to an imbalance. You should carefully assess the weight of such funds in your overall portfolio.
Key Risk: The concentrated nature of thematic funds increases the volatility of your portfolio. While these funds can offer great returns in favorable market conditions, they are more vulnerable during market downturns. Hence, they should not make up a large portion of your long-term portfolio.

Offshore Investments and Global Risks:

Having exposure to international markets is often a good way to diversify beyond the Indian market. However, the Edelweiss Greater China Equity Offshore Fund focuses heavily on a single country. This introduces a significant level of risk, as you are exposed to the volatility of the Chinese economy.

Key Risk: China's economy has faced several challenges in recent years, including regulatory crackdowns, political tensions, and economic slowdowns. Investing in a single country, particularly one that has seen a lot of unpredictability, increases the risk in your portfolio. It might be wise to reconsider such concentrated international exposure.

Asset Allocation Strategy:

Your current portfolio consists of a mix of equity and multi-asset allocation funds. While multi-asset funds are designed to reduce risk by investing across asset classes, they can also dilute returns, especially in a long-term wealth-building strategy like yours.

Key Risk: Multi-asset funds often include bonds and other lower-risk instruments. While this provides stability, it might limit the overall growth potential of your portfolio, especially if you are looking to accumulate Rs 10 crores by age 55. Equity, particularly in large, mid, and small-cap stocks, should form the core of your long-term wealth-building strategy.

Proposed Changes: Risks and Considerations
Now, let’s take a closer look at the proposed changes and the risks involved in maintaining or adjusting your investments.

Lump Sum Investment in Multi-Asset Funds:

You are considering switching from multi-asset funds to other investments. Multi-asset funds, while providing stability, often come at the cost of lower returns. These funds typically have a portion of their investments in debt instruments, which may not grow as quickly as equity investments in the long run.

Key Risk: By focusing more on equity over multi-asset funds, you can potentially achieve higher returns, but you will also be exposed to higher volatility. It’s important to strike the right balance between growth and risk, depending on your risk tolerance.

ABSL Multi-Asset Allocation Fund (Consider Switching):

If you decide to move away from this fund, remember that multi-asset funds generally aim to reduce risk by balancing equity with debt and other assets. However, the returns might not match up to pure equity funds, which could be a drawback in your case, where high growth is the primary goal.

Key Risk: The multi-asset fund may offer stability, but moving away from it means increasing your exposure to market volatility. You should be comfortable with the increased risk in exchange for the potential of higher returns.

Edelweiss Greater China Equity Offshore Fund:

This fund focuses on China’s equity market, which, as mentioned earlier, is facing several macroeconomic and political challenges. Having too much exposure to a single country increases the risk of volatility in your portfolio.

Key Risk: While international exposure is a good diversification tool, single-country offshore funds can add significant risk, especially in uncertain global markets. You should assess whether this aligns with your long-term goals and risk tolerance.

ABSL Equity Advantage Fund (Large and Mid Cap):

Large and mid-cap funds provide a mix of stability and growth. These funds invest in both established large companies and growing mid-sized companies. While these funds tend to perform well in stable markets, they might underperform when mid and small-cap stocks surge.

Key Risk: Although large and mid-cap funds offer a balance between growth and stability, they may not fully capitalize on periods of high growth in mid and small-cap stocks. On the other hand, they tend to offer more protection during volatile market periods. Ensure that your portfolio has the right allocation of mid and small-cap stocks to maximize growth.

Thematic and Sectoral Funds (GenNext Fund and Thematic Equity Fund):

The thematic funds in your portfolio are focusing on specific sectors. These funds have the potential for significant returns during favorable periods for the sector but carry increased risk when the sector underperforms.

Key Risk: By holding multiple thematic and sector funds, your portfolio could be overexposed to certain sectors, increasing volatility. While thematic funds can deliver high returns, they should be used sparingly within a broader, diversified portfolio.

Streamlining the Portfolio: Focus on Simplicity and Efficiency
One of the key recommendations for you would be to streamline your portfolio. While diversification is necessary, having too many funds can lead to unnecessary complexity and difficulty in managing your investments.

Portfolio Overlap: With multiple funds in the same categories (large and mid-cap, thematic, multi-asset), you run the risk of duplication in your holdings. This means that multiple funds could be investing in the same stocks, which reduces the benefits of diversification.

Simplification: A well-structured portfolio doesn’t need to have too many funds. You can achieve proper diversification by selecting a few well-managed funds that cover different market segments without significant overlap.

By consolidating your investments into a more focused portfolio, you will be able to track and manage your investments more effectively. This approach will also reduce redundancy and improve the overall performance of your portfolio.

Final Insights
Focus on Equity for Long-Term Growth: Since your goal is wealth accumulation, equity should be the core of your portfolio. Too much exposure to multi-asset or debt instruments could limit growth potential.

Reduce Thematic Exposure: While thematic funds can deliver high returns, they carry higher risk due to their concentrated nature. Consider reducing the number of thematic funds in favor of broader equity funds.

Streamline and Simplify: Reduce the number of funds in your portfolio to avoid overlap. A more streamlined portfolio will be easier to manage and track, leading to better overall results.

Be Cautious with Offshore Exposure: International diversification is important, but be mindful of overconcentration in a single market, especially one as volatile as China’s.

By making these adjustments and focusing on a more streamlined, equity-centric portfolio, you can enhance your chances of achieving your Rs 10 crore goal by age 55.

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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Consider shifting SIP from Large Cap to Multicap to potentially enhance returns, given your long-term wealth creation goal. Ensure Multicap funds have a proven track record of delivering consistent performance across market cycles.

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Asked by Anonymous - Jul 20, 2024Hindi
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Hi, I am 31 years old. I am planning to retire at the age between 45 to 48. I want to generate wealth of at least 10Cr by the time I retire. As of today, I have MF corpus of 28L(17.5L/10.4L) with monthly SIPs of 42500. Current ongoing SIPs in 1. Quant Active Fund - 5k 2. Axis Midcap Fund - 5k 3. Mirae Asset ELSS - 5k 4. SBI Small Cap - 5k 5. Nippon India US Equity Opp. Fund - 2.5k 6. DSP ELSS Tax Saver - 1k 7. Mirae Asset Large & Mid Cap - 5k 8. Nippon India Small Cap - 5k 9. Quant Mid Cap - 3k 10. Quant Small Cap - 3k 11. Quant Flexi Cap - 3k There are 3 Stopped SIPs 1. Axis Bluechip Fund - 1.5L Invested / 2.07L valuation 2. Nippon India ELSS Tax Saver - 94k invested / 2.06L valuation 3. Aditya Birla SL ELSS Tax Saver - 94k invested / 1.64L Valuation Please suggest if I need to change my strategy in investing MF with above ongoing and stopped SIPs. Also, on top of MF investment, I have, PF corpus 11.5L with expected 8% YoY contribution. NPS corpus 11L with expected 8% YoY contribution. 30L in FDs with 9% compounding interest rate and treating same as emergency fund. 6.25L in stocks. Investing in individual stocks and via smallcase baskets(Enery, Banking and Metal Tracker) with 20-25k on quartely basis. PPF corpus of approx. 5L with 5k per month contribution with 9 years remaining. HDFC SL ProGrowth Plus with Sum Assured 12L with pending 8 premius of 60k per year. Me and my wife don't have any term or health insurance. Both of us are relying on corporate health insurance for family. I have home loan of 1.2Cr with EMI of 80k which is a biggest chunk of in hand salary. Household and personal expenses are around 20k per month. So, looking at above details how should I plan my financials for kid's(no kid yet) education/marriage and post retirement life ?
Ans: Your Current Financial Situation
Let’s review your current situation. You have a diverse portfolio with SIPs, mutual funds, stocks, FDs, and more.

Investments
Mutual Fund Corpus: Rs 28 lakhs
Monthly SIPs: Rs 42,500
Provident Fund: Rs 11.5 lakhs
NPS: Rs 11 lakhs
Fixed Deposits: Rs 30 lakhs
Stocks: Rs 6.25 lakhs
PPF: Rs 5 lakhs
HDFC SL ProGrowth Plus: Sum Assured Rs 12 lakhs
Liabilities
Home Loan: Rs 1.2 crores with an EMI of Rs 80,000 per month
Expenses: Rs 20,000 per month
Insurance
Corporate Health Insurance: Only relying on this for health coverage
Investment Strategy Evaluation
You have a robust and diversified investment strategy. Let’s refine it further.

Mutual Funds
You have a wide variety of mutual funds, including equity, ELSS, and international funds.

Active vs. Stopped SIPs
Active SIPs: Quant Active Fund, Axis Midcap Fund, Mirae Asset ELSS, SBI Small Cap, Nippon India US Equity Opp. Fund, DSP ELSS Tax Saver, Mirae Asset Large & Mid Cap, Nippon India Small Cap, Quant Mid Cap, Quant Small Cap, Quant Flexi Cap

Stopped SIPs: Axis Bluechip Fund, Nippon India ELSS Tax Saver, Aditya Birla SL ELSS Tax Saver

Recommendations for Mutual Funds
Consolidation: Reduce the number of funds. This simplifies management and avoids overlap.

Focus on Performance: Keep funds with consistent performance.

Direct vs. Regular Funds
Disadvantages of Direct Funds: Lack professional guidance. Regular funds offer better management through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).
Additional Investment Suggestions
Debt Instruments
PPF and NPS: Continue contributions. They offer stability and tax benefits.
Stocks and Smallcases
Stock Investments: Keep investing quarterly. Diversify across sectors for balanced growth.
Fixed Deposits
Emergency Fund: Maintain Rs 30 lakhs in FDs. Ensure easy access for emergencies.
Insurance Needs
Health Insurance
Individual Health Insurance: Get a separate health insurance plan. Corporate plans may not be sufficient.
Term Insurance
Life Cover: Get a term insurance plan for adequate life cover. This secures your family’s future.
Loan Management
Home Loan
Prepayment: Consider prepaying the home loan with surplus funds. This reduces interest burden and tenure.
Child’s Education and Marriage Planning
Systematic Investments
SIPs for Education: Start SIPs dedicated to your future child's education. Aim for growth-oriented funds.

Marriage Fund: Similarly, allocate funds for marriage expenses.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
For Girl Child: If you have a girl child, consider investing in Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana for her future.
Retirement Planning
Retirement Corpus
Target: Aim for a retirement corpus of Rs 10 crores by age 45-48.
Strategy
Increase SIPs Annually: Increase your SIPs by 15% every year. This leverages compounding effectively.

Balanced Portfolio: Maintain a balanced portfolio with equity, debt, and other instruments.

Professional Management
Certified Financial Planner: Work with a CFP for personalized advice. They help manage and optimize your investments.
Final Insights
You have a strong investment base. Simplify your mutual fund portfolio and focus on high-performing funds. Get adequate health and life insurance. Prepay your home loan to reduce the burden. Plan systematically for your child's education and marriage. Work with a Certified Financial Planner to achieve your retirement goal of Rs 10 crores.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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Sir, I've choosen NIET Greater Noida for BTech CSE, total college fees is coming 11.5 lakhs, we have paid 50k, thinking to get 7.5 lakh as loan from bank, we don't have collateral, earlier we thought that we'll take rest amount from Bihar Student Credit but bank is saying that u can get loan from only one place but drcc is saying that they'll get even after having a loan from bank. I'm short of 3.5 lakhs. My boards percentage is 73.8%.Help me sir to get ideas of how to get the rest amount for my college fees
Ans: – Choosing BTech CSE at NIET is a positive step.
– Good that you're planning your funding early.

? Understanding Your Current Funding Gap
– Total fees: Rs. 11.5 lakh.
– Already paid: Rs. 50,000.
– Planning bank loan: Rs. 7.5 lakh (no collateral).
– Still short: Rs. 3.5 lakh.

? Bank Loan and Bihar Student Credit Card Confusion
– Banks typically allow one loan per student for education.
– However, Bihar Student Credit Card scheme allows funding even if partial loan is taken.
– Visit your district DRCC office in person and explain full loan structure.
– Get a written clarification from them.

? Strategies to Arrange Rs. 3.5 Lakh Gap
– Try increasing the bank loan to maximum allowed under unsecured category (up to Rs. 7.5–10 lakh).
– If DRCC agrees to fund the remaining, you can split the loan.
– Explore NIET’s own installment payment plans. Many colleges have semester-wise fee breakup.
– Request fee extension from the college for the shortfall.
– Approach family, friends, or alumni network for a small temporary interest-free loan.

? Explore Private Education Finance Options
– NBFCs like HDFC Credila, Avanse, or InCred may help with flexible funding.
– They offer loans without collateral up to Rs. 10–15 lakh, depending on course and college.

? Improve Chances of Loan Approval
– Show strong academic intent and purpose to lenders.
– Prepare a course plan, placement record of NIET, and your career goals.

? Finally
– Don’t worry too much. There are multiple small ways to bridge this Rs. 3.5 lakh gap.
– Be proactive with DRCC and college. Keep pushing through.
– You’ve already taken the right steps by planning ahead. Stay focused.

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I am 59 years now.Next year i am retiring.currently i am having Rs 9 cr equity,RS 80 LAKS MF,Rs 50 laks FD and Rs 85 laks PF and having 2 house owned.I am expecting Rs 2 laks for my monthly income after retirement.I am having 1 daughter she is 22 years and studying
Ans: At age 59, with retirement just a year away, your planning so far shows strong discipline.
Your goal of Rs 2 lakhs monthly income after retirement is very achievable.
Let’s look at your situation from all angles to build a secure post-retirement financial roadmap.

? Retirement Readiness Assessment

– Your current corpus is excellent.
– Rs 9 crore in equity is significant.
– Rs 80 lakhs in mutual funds adds strong diversification.
– Rs 50 lakhs in FD offers fixed income security.
– Rs 85 lakhs in PF ensures steady post-retirement liquidity.
– Two houses add to your overall stability and confidence.

– With Rs 11.15 crore in financial assets, your financial independence is assured.
– Your target of Rs 2 lakhs monthly income (Rs 24 lakhs annually) is realistic.
– Even assuming modest returns, this can sustain for 30+ years of retirement.

? Portfolio Allocation Post Retirement

– Shift from aggressive to balanced allocation now.
– Reduce direct equity exposure gradually.
– Allocate into hybrid or balanced advantage mutual funds.
– Keep 30%–40% in equity-oriented funds for inflation protection.
– Move 20%–25% to debt-oriented mutual funds for regular income.
– 15%–20% in FDs for short-term needs and emergencies.
– Retain your PF. Start withdrawing gradually after retirement.

– Use a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) from mutual funds for regular monthly income.
– Prefer growth option and withdraw as per requirement via SWP.
– This gives you tax efficiency and cash flow predictability.

? Monthly Income Plan

– You aim for Rs 2 lakhs/month post-retirement.
– A smart combination of sources can give this.

Use SWP from mutual funds: target Rs 80,000–Rs 1 lakh/month.

Interest from FD: Rs 30,000–Rs 40,000/month.

Partial PF withdrawal: Rs 40,000/month for 15–20 years.

Rental income (if available from 2nd house): Additional support.

– Rebalance every 1–2 years to adjust for inflation and market changes.

? Risk Management and Safety

– Keep Rs 25–30 lakhs in FD or ultra-short debt funds.
– This acts as emergency and buffer for market volatility.
– Avoid new high-risk equity bets at this stage.
– Your current equity should be gradually rebalanced.

– Avoid ULIPs, PMS or structured products from banks or agents.
– They are unsuitable post-retirement.

– Ensure asset safety through joint ownership and nomination updates.

? Tax Planning

– After retirement, your taxable income will change.
– SWP from mutual funds is tax-efficient due to capital gains benefit.
– Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) above Rs 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.
– Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG) on equity funds is taxed at 20%.
– For debt funds, gains are taxed as per your slab.

– FD interest is fully taxable as per slab. Spread FDs in family names.
– Consider gifting funds to daughter (once she earns) to save tax.

– Create a family income-splitting strategy to optimise overall taxation.

? Role of Mutual Funds After Retirement

– Mutual funds will play a central role now.
– Use regular plans through a trusted MFD with CFP credential.
– Avoid direct plans.

– Direct plans lack guidance, reviews, and emotional coaching.
– With regular plans, you get active monitoring and risk control.
– In retirement, having a Certified Financial Planner guiding you adds immense value.

– Stay away from index funds.
– Index funds blindly follow the market.
– They lack downside protection and fund manager expertise.
– Active funds offer rebalancing, risk controls and better retirement fit.

? Daughter’s Education & Support

– At 22, she may need support for higher education or career goals.
– Keep aside Rs 15–20 lakhs in debt funds or FD for her future needs.
– This avoids disturbing your retirement corpus.
– Do not rely on equity for short-term educational needs.

– Once she starts earning, encourage her to plan own finances early.

? Estate and Legacy Planning

– Make a clear Will without delay.
– Include all financial and real estate assets.
– Mention nominees clearly in all accounts and investments.
– Register the Will if possible for legal strength.

– Keep a secure record of passwords, account numbers and bank lockers.
– Share with trusted family members.

– Plan your corpus distribution well – spouse, daughter, charity if desired.
– Protect legacy from legal disputes with proper documentation.

? Health Coverage and Contingency

– Maintain a strong health insurance policy.
– Do not rely only on savings for medical emergencies.
– Take a top-up health plan if needed.
– Ensure spouse is also covered.

– Medical inflation is high. Keep Rs 10–15 lakhs buffer in debt funds.
– This ensures you don’t withdraw from retirement income for health costs.

? Use of Property

– You own two houses.
– Live in one and rent the other if feasible.
– Avoid selling unless absolutely needed.

– Rental income helps reduce pressure on mutual fund withdrawals.
– However, do not consider property as a retirement plan.
– Illiquidity and maintenance are major risks in old age.

? Inflation and Lifestyle

– Rs 2 lakhs per month is good today.
– But inflation will erode it slowly.
– After 10 years, you may need Rs 3.5–4 lakhs/month for same lifestyle.

– So keep at least 35% of portfolio in growth assets like equity funds.
– This ensures your portfolio beats inflation over the long term.

– Revisit your retirement plan every 2 years.
– Adjust withdrawals and investments based on market and expenses.

? Behavioural and Emotional Discipline

– Avoid panic during market volatility.
– Stay disciplined with withdrawal strategy.
– Work with your Certified Financial Planner to avoid emotional investment errors.

– Retirement is a long phase – maybe 25+ years.
– You need growth, income, safety, and peace.
– Stick to the strategy. Don’t chase returns.

– Make spending priorities clear – needs vs wants.
– Focus on health, relationships, experiences – not on flashy lifestyle.

? Action Plan (Next 6–12 Months)

– Rebalance portfolio: Reduce equity, increase hybrid and debt funds.
– Setup SWP from mutual funds for regular cash flow.
– Allocate emergency corpus in FD or liquid funds.
– Create Will and update nominees.
– Review health insurance coverage for self and spouse.
– Keep Rs 15–20 lakhs separate for daughter’s education.
– Finalise post-retirement income plan with Certified Financial Planner.

? Finally

You are entering retirement from a position of great strength.
You have created a solid foundation with over Rs 11 crore in financial assets.
With the right guidance, steady withdrawals and discipline, your retirement life can be peaceful.

Stay focused on safety, tax-efficiency and sustainable income.
Avoid risky products, emotional decisions and large lifestyle jumps.
Let your wealth serve your life goals without tension.

A Certified Financial Planner can support you regularly in these next decades.
Not just for returns, but also for reviews, rebalancing and family safety.
Wishing you a peaceful and prosperous retirement journey ahead.

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10014 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 23, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi. I am 27-yrs old and earn 1,36,000 monthly after all the deductions, and get bonus once a year of around 2-2.5 lakhs. I need a solid financial planning for my future. I live with my parents so I dont have to pay the rent, I will get married by the next year though and some money would surely go for the same. My fixed monthly bill sums up around Rs. 26,147 monthly; out of which 24,000 goes for my mba fees, of which 12 monthly installments are still left. And rest goes for wifi and other subscriptions. Then, I send around 10,000 to my brother as well for his personal expenses. I pay a total of Rs. 60,000 towards health & term insurance for me and my family. It has to be paid once a year. Now from rest of the amount I have to save, spend and invest. Currently I have 3.7 lakhs in FD, 1.31 lakhs in PPF, 3 lakhs in EPF, 3.5 lakhs in mutual funds SIP, 50k stocks (very less). Below is my current monthly investment plan (few are new and I update amount often): -Mirae Asset tax saver ELSS : 5000 -Parag Parikh Flexicap fund : 3000 -HDFC Sensex Index fund : 2500 -Mirae Asset Large & Midcap : 1500 -Nippon India Small cap fund : 1000 -DSP Healthcare Fund : 3000 -PPF : 5000 -HUL stock SIP : 2500 -NTPC stock SIP: 500 (idk why I added it but nvm) -Gold ETF : 2000 I plan to invest more in direct stocks, 10k in some aggressive debt/infra fund for car/house and 5k into traveling, and increase the amount of other schemes as well. And from this month, I will invest in NPS too, maybe 5k monthly. My main question: Suggest me a good financial plan like, how much money should I invest/save/spend. I'm fine with modifying my current schemes and amount. I shop and travel a lot so most of my money goes into it. As of now, my goals are: 1. To build/buy a home 2. Buy a car 3. Create long-term wealth 4. Funds for my shopping, travel and entertainment 5. Liquid/cash for my expenses 6. An emergency fund 7. A solid retirement plan (5k into PPF, 5k into NPS, and 7k EPF is sufficient I believe and EPF would also increase every year as per my salary increment)
Ans: – You’re doing well for your age.
– At 27, you already have strong intent and diversified investments.
– Living with parents has helped reduce liabilities, which gives you a head start.
– Managing MBA fees and supporting your brother is commendable.
– You’ve included health and term insurance early, which many skip.
– Let's now structure your plan with purpose and clarity.

? Income and Expense Summary

– Net monthly income: Rs. 1,36,000.
– MBA EMI: Rs. 24,000/month (12 months remaining).
– Brother support: Rs. 10,000/month.
– Fixed bills: Rs. 2,147/month.
– Annual insurance premium: Rs. 60,000 (Rs. 5,000/month equivalent).
– Approx. available for saving/investing/spending: Rs. 1,36,000 – 41,147 = Rs. 94,853.
– However, you also mentioned high discretionary spending on travel and shopping.
– We'll allocate wisely while keeping your lifestyle intact.

? Current Investment Analysis

– Mutual Funds: Rs. 3.5 lakh is a good start.
– Stocks: Rs. 50,000 (experimental, should be limited for now).
– EPF: Rs. 3 lakh (backed by stable contributions).
– PPF: Rs. 1.31 lakh (good for long-term compounding).
– FD: Rs. 3.7 lakh (helpful as emergency fund buffer).

? SIP Distribution Review

– ELSS (Rs. 5,000): Good for tax-saving, but you already have EPF + PPF.
– Flexicap (Rs. 3,000): Excellent for long-term core equity exposure.
– Sensex Index Fund (Rs. 2,500): Avoid this. Index funds offer no downside protection.
– Actively managed funds provide alpha in volatile Indian markets.
– Large & Midcap (Rs. 1,500): Good balance. Continue.
– Small Cap (Rs. 1,000): Volatile. Keep under 10% of total SIP.
– Healthcare (Rs. 3,000): Sectoral funds carry risk. Make this optional.
– Gold ETF (Rs. 2,000): Consider reducing to Rs. 1,000.
– Stock SIPs (Rs. 3,000): HUL is fine, NTPC may not align. Exit NTPC SIP.
– PPF: Rs. 5,000/month is fine.
– NPS: Planning Rs. 5,000/month is good, but regular funds through Certified Financial Planner offer better flexibility.
– Infrastructure/aggressive debt: Good idea, but choose with guidance.

? Recommended Monthly Allocation Plan (Post MBA EMI phase)

Income: Rs. 1,36,000
Assumed allocation after MBA EMIs end (after 12 months):

– Rs. 25,000 – Equity mutual funds (core diversified)
– Rs. 5,000 – PPF (continue as is)
– Rs. 5,000 – NPS (optional; better to redirect to MFs via CFP)
– Rs. 5,000 – Travel fund (short-term debt or liquid fund)
– Rs. 3,000 – Gold (for diversification, not more)
– Rs. 2,000 – Direct stock SIP (restrict this portion)
– Rs. 5,000 – Emergency fund (until you reach 6 months of expenses)
– Rs. 5,000 – Insurance/medical corpus (for top-ups, yearly premiums)
– Rs. 30,000 – Short-term goal bucket (home/car in 4–5 years)
– Rs. 30,000 – Shopping & discretionary expenses

? Emergency Fund Planning

– Ideal emergency fund: Rs. 2.5 to 3 lakh (minimum 6 months of basic expenses).
– You already have Rs. 3.7 lakh in FD.
– That can be earmarked as emergency fund.
– Continue to replenish it when you use it.

? Home & Car Goal

– Do not rush into real estate.
– Instead, create a goal-based mutual fund portfolio.
– For home down payment in 5–7 years, use aggressive hybrid and dynamic bond funds.
– For car purchase, allocate Rs. 10,000/month in a short-duration debt fund.
– Avoid loans early in life unless necessary.

? Retirement Planning

– You’ve already started with EPF, PPF, and NPS.
– This gives a stable base.
– Don’t depend only on these for retirement.
– These are conservative and fixed-income focused.
– Add long-term SIPs through Certified Financial Planner in diversified equity funds.
– That can give higher compounding.
– Increase SIPs as your salary increases.
– Avoid direct funds. A qualified MFD with CFP credential can guide you with reviews.

? Stock Investing Perspective

– Direct stocks require deep research.
– Time, temperament, and knowledge are key.
– Keep max 5% of your net worth in direct stocks.
– Better to focus on mutual funds for long-term growth.
– Avoid random stock SIPs without clear conviction.

? Travel and Shopping Fund

– Allocate a separate Rs. 5,000–7,000/month.
– Use liquid funds for short-term travel.
– Avoid using your long-term investments for discretionary expenses.
– Budget these in advance and automate them.

? Yearly Bonus Planning

– Use your annual Rs. 2–2.5 lakh bonus wisely.
– Split it:
– 30% for investment top-up (mutual funds or car/home goals).
– 30% for insurance, medical reserves.
– 20% for travel or celebration.
– 20% to replenish emergency fund if needed.
– Avoid spending it all impulsively.

? Insurance Review

– Rs. 60,000/year for health and term insurance is reasonable.
– Ensure term insurance covers at least 15x of annual income.
– Health insurance should have Rs. 10–15 lakh family floater.
– Top-up health insurance if needed as medical costs are rising.
– Reassess insurance needs post-marriage.

? Marriage Expenses

– Don’t dip into long-term funds.
– Decide your wedding budget now.
– Allocate from bonus or short-term liquid fund.
– Avoid loans for wedding expenses.
– Stay within means.

? PPF, EPF and NPS Coordination

– PPF (Rs. 5,000/month) – Keep for long term tax-free compounding.
– EPF (Rs. 3 lakh) – Continue contributions via employer.
– NPS – Don’t over-prioritise.
– MFs are more flexible, have no lock-in, and are managed actively.
– If investing in NPS, claim tax benefit under Section 80CCD(1B).
– Review options every 2–3 years with a CFP.

? Tax-Saving Strategy

– ELSS, EPF, PPF, term insurance all qualify under 80C.
– NPS gives additional benefit under 80CCD(1B).
– Don’t overdo ELSS if 80C limit is already reached.
– Instead, divert that to long-term diversified mutual funds.
– Tax optimisation should not lead to poor allocation choices.

? Fund Rationalisation (Immediate Actionable)

– Exit Index Fund. Actively managed funds perform better in India.
– Review Healthcare fund. Sectoral funds should be optional only.
– Reduce Gold ETF to Rs. 1,000/month.
– Stop NTPC SIP unless you have a conviction-based reason.
– Avoid adding more direct stock SIPs for now.
– Add a multi-cap or focused equity fund instead.
– Always invest via a Certified Financial Planner through regular plans.
– This brings guidance, review, and emotional discipline.

? Future Strategy Post-Marriage

– Expense patterns will change.
– Plan household budget with spouse jointly.
– Continue insurance protection for both.
– Start a family health cover.
– Increase SIPs as income grows.
– Set common financial goals.
– Avoid lifestyle inflation and loans early in marriage.

? Best Practices Going Forward

– Set clear short, medium and long-term goals.
– Use separate SIPs for each.
– Track investments every 6 months.
– Don’t switch funds frequently.
– Don’t blindly follow trends or YouTube influencers.
– Avoid direct mutual fund platforms.
– Regular plans via a qualified MFD bring better outcomes.
– Be consistent and disciplined.

? Finally

– You are financially aware, which is rare at your age.
– With structured investing, you’ll create significant wealth.
– Keep life insurance and health insurance up to date.
– Limit direct stock exposure.
– Avoid overlapping funds and sectoral traps.
– Define goals, automate SIPs, and review annually.
– Don’t hesitate to consult a Certified Financial Planner for detailed reviews.
– Be patient. Wealth creation takes time and consistency.

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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