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Will Shifting Investments in Retirement Reduce My Taxes?

Yogendra

Yogendra Arora  |5 Answers  |Ask -

Tax Expert - Answered on Feb 12, 2025

Yogendra Arora is the founder of Y Arora Associates And Chartered Accountants, a tax consultancy firm based out of Kanpur.
He has over 11 years of experience in auditing and consultancy.
Before starting his own consultancy, Yogendra, a commerce graduate from CSJM University, Kanpur, worked with ICICI Bank and Indusind Bank as credit manager between 2013 and 2018.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Feb 11, 2025Hindi
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Hi, I’m planning to retire in the next five years and want to ensure my savings are tax-efficient. I am 52, working as a school teacher from Chennai. I’ve got investments in PPF, mutual funds, and a pension plan, but I’m unsure how withdrawals will be taxed. Should I consider shifting any of my investments to reduce my tax burden in retirement?

Ans: hi,
All 3 investments have different tax applicabilty, details are as below.
1. withdrawl from PPF is Exempt from tax.
2. Investment in mutual funds taxed as Short term capital gain or Long term capital gain applicable at the time of withdrawl & depends upon the duration you invested in the fund.
3. Pension plan :- for government employees commuted part of pension plan at the time of retirement is tax free and monthly pension received by the employee post retirement is taxed as per normal slab rate.

Conculsion :- For shifting of any investment depends upon your wish and evaluations regarding returns & investment restirctions, like PPF is having restriction of Rs 1.50 Lac in a year with fixed interest rate where as in mutual funds it depends upon market situations.
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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Moneywize

Moneywize   |181 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on Sep 23, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 21, 2024Hindi
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I’m Kunal from Mumbai. I’m 40, a salaried professional with two children. How can I optimize my tax savings through mutual funds, PPF, and NPS for the long term?
Ans: To help you optimize his long-term tax savings, a well-rounded approach leveraging mutual funds (ELSS), PPF, and NPS will provide both tax efficiency and growth potential, balancing risk and security. Here’s a comprehensive strategy:

Key Investment Options:

1. Public Provident Fund (PPF):

• Tax Deduction: Up to Rs 1.5 lakh under Section 80C.
• Lock-in: 15 years, providing low-risk, government-backed returns (around 7.1%).
• Strategy: Maximize PPF contributions to Rs 1.5 lakh annually for stable, long-term, and tax-free growth.

2. National Pension System (NPS):

• Tax Deduction: Rs 1.5 lakh under Section 80C and an additional Rs 50,000 under Section 80CCD(1B).
• Equity Exposure: NPS offers flexibility in equity allocation, providing the potential for higher long-term returns.
• Strategy: Contribute Rs 50,000 for the additional tax benefit and build a retirement corpus, balancing equity and debt for moderate growth.

3. Equity-Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS):

• Tax Deduction: Up to Rs 1.5 lakh under Section 80C.
• Lock-in Period: 3 years (shortest under 80C).
• Growth Potential: Higher returns due to equity exposure.
• Strategy: Start a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) in ELSS funds to benefit from tax savings and market-linked growth over the long term.

4. Comprehensive Plan for you:

a. Maximizing Tax Benefits:

• Contribute Rs 1.5 lakh to PPF for safe, consistent returns.
• Invest Rs 50,000 in NPS to take advantage of the additional tax deduction under Section 80CCD(1B) and build a retirement corpus.
• Allocate any remaining eligible tax-saving contributions to ELSS to optimize growth under Section 80C.

b. Diversified Investment Strategy:

• PPF: A risk-free option with guaranteed returns, perfect for long-term, low-risk growth.
• NPS: A moderate-risk option with the potential for higher returns through equity exposure, focusing on retirement planning.
• ELSS: A higher-risk, higher-reward option for long-term wealth creation and tax savings.

c. Additional Tax-Saving Measures:

• Health Insurance Premiums: Claim up to Rs 25,000 (or Rs 50,000 if covering senior citizen parents) under Section 80D.
• Home Loan Interest: Deduct up to Rs 2 lakh under Section 24(b) for home loan interest payments.

d. Tailored Recommendations:

• PPF: Max out the Rs 1.5 lakh limit to secure risk-free growth.
• NPS: Contribute Rs 50,000 annually to build a retirement corpus while enjoying additional tax benefits.
• ELSS: Invest the remainder of your Section 80C limit in ELSS to benefit from equity market growth.
• Regular Monitoring: Review and rebalance your portfolio as your financial goals evolve to ensure optimal growth and tax savings.

By following this balanced and diversified strategy, Kunal can optimize his tax savings while securing a solid financial future for his long-term goals.

..Read more

Latest Questions
Yogendra

Yogendra Arora  |5 Answers  |Ask -

Tax Expert - Answered on Feb 12, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 11, 2025Hindi
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Hey, I am a freelance graphic designer based in Mumbai. I’m 40 and I've recently transitioned from a full-time job to freelancing, and I’m struggling to understand how to manage taxes on my variable income. My annual earnings are 8-15LPA approx. Are there any deductions specific to freelancers? Also, how should I plan for quarterly tax payments?
Ans: hi,
for this particular financial year you will be taxed under 2 heads ,1st under salaries for the period you were in job & for remaining part you will be taxed as business income being started freelancing work.

And for freelancers there is no any specific dedutions however all deductions available to all others are available to freelancers like 80C to 80G.

For calculation of taxation of freelancing period you should record all your receipts & expenses (only related to work, no any personal expenses) details with proper documentary evidences specially for expenses part, net of the (receipts & expenses) will be your income however you can opt for presumptive taxation also.

For Advance payment :-
if tax applicable to you during the finanical year as per calculations exceeds Rs 10000, then your have to pay advance tax quarterly as below
on or before 15th june :- minimum 15% or more of tax amount.
on or before 15th september :- minimum 45% or more of tax amount.
on or before 15th December :- minimum 75% or more of tax amount.
on or before 15th March :- full 100% tax payable as per calculations.
Happy to help.
Thanks.

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7948 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 12, 2025Hindi
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I am 44 now. How much SIP should I do every month to have a sum of 3 crore at the age of 60?
Ans: To build a corpus of Rs. 3 crore by age 60, you need a well-structured investment plan. Below is a detailed breakdown to help you achieve your goal.

Understanding Your Investment Horizon
You are 44 years old now.
You have 16 years to invest.
A longer investment horizon helps in wealth creation through compounding.
Key Factors That Influence Your Goal
1. Expected Return on Investment
Investing in actively managed mutual funds can help grow wealth over time.
Historical data suggests equity funds deliver 12-15% CAGR over the long term.
Choosing the right funds is important for achieving consistent returns.
2. Monthly SIP Requirement
The amount you need to invest depends on the expected return.
Higher returns require a higher equity allocation in the early years.
Gradually shifting to safer funds helps protect your corpus closer to retirement.
How Much Should You Invest?

To accumulate Rs. 3 crore, your monthly SIP should be:
If returns are around 12% CAGR → Invest Rs. 52,000 per month
If returns are around 14% CAGR → Invest Rs. 42,500 per month

Best Investment Approach for You
1. Choose Actively Managed Mutual Funds
Avoid index funds as they only mirror market returns.
Actively managed funds outperform markets over the long term.
A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) helps in selecting the best-performing funds.
2. Diversification for Stability
Invest across large-cap, flexi-cap, and mid-cap funds.
Large-cap funds provide stability, while mid-cap and flexi-cap funds give growth.
This mix balances risk and returns effectively.
3. Adjust Your SIP Over Time
Start with an amount you are comfortable with.
Increase SIP by 10% every year for better wealth accumulation.
A gradual increase helps fight inflation and boost returns.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Ignoring Fund Performance
Do not invest blindly without checking fund history.
Funds with a proven track record should be preferred.
A CFP can help in selecting funds with consistent returns.
2. Investing in Direct Mutual Funds Without Guidance
Direct funds seem attractive due to lower expense ratios.
However, they lack advisory support from a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).
Regular funds ensure expert monitoring and better long-term returns.
3. Redeeming Investments Too Soon
Stay invested for the full 16-year period.
Early withdrawals disrupt compounding and reduce growth.
Invest only the money you won’t need in the short term.
Tax Considerations for Mutual Funds
Equity mutual funds – LTCG (above Rs. 1.25 lakh) taxed at 12.5%.
Short-term capital gains (STCG) – Taxed at 20%.
Debt mutual funds – Gains taxed as per income tax slab.
Plan redemptions strategically to minimize tax liability.
What to Do as You Approach Retirement?
At age 55, start shifting funds from equity to hybrid and debt funds.
This reduces volatility and protects the accumulated corpus.
Keep some part in equity even after retirement for continued growth.
Final Insights
You need to invest Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 45,000 per month to reach Rs. 3 crore.
Stick to actively managed equity funds with a mix of large-cap, flexi-cap, and mid-cap funds.
Increase SIP annually and stay invested for 16 years.
A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) helps in fund selection and risk management.
By following this plan, you can achieve financial security and a stress-free retirement.

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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