Sanjeev Sir, jai Hind. My self Sub Maj (Hony Capt) Retd A K Maan. DOB of My Son is 10 Mar 1999. Presently he is working with WIPRO as a software Engineer. Please suggest any best investment plus Insurance policy for my son. Thanking You Sir...

Sanjeev Sir, jai Hind. My self Sub Maj (Hony Capt) Retd A K Maan. DOB of My Son is 10 Mar 1999. Presently he is working with WIPRO as a software Engineer. Please suggest any best investment plus Insurance policy for my son. Thanking You Sir Regards Capt A K Maan (Retd)

Ans: Jai Hind Saheb
Before giving this answer, I assume the following:-
• He has some capacity to invest for his future financial goals.
• He is not married and has no liabilities for now.
• He has not done any investments so far and is starting afresh.
Whatever he has already done or is already doing can be discounted from what I have written below.

As a young person with no family responsibilities right now or coming up in near future, he should be doing the following:-
• He should have an emergency fund at the very outset, equal to 6-12 months’ worth of your expenses, to cater for unforeseen circumstances like a job loss or gap while transiting to another job. If he does not have it, create earliest through a lumpsum or slowly contributing to it, as convenient to him. It should be invested in small bank FDs or Liquid mutual funds from where he can take it out in a short period of time.
• Have a term insurance plan with a life cover equal to about 7 years of your annual income, in case he has any financial dependencies. If not, it is not required right now.
• Even if he has a medical insurance cover given by his employer, he should have his own cover too for about Rs 3-5 Lakhs to cater for employer provided cover not being there like while shifting a job or next employer not offering it .
• Subscribe to EPF to the extent of Rs 2.5 Lakh (own contribution) per year which is the maximum tax-free amount he can contribute to it.
• Depending on his risk profile (which should normally be high at his age), invest in SIPs (Systematic Investment Plan) of Equity Mutual Funds for his long-term goals occurring at least 5 years from now. In case he has any goals coming up withing 5 years, the investment should be done in a combination of FDs/RDs, debt funds and hybrid funds as per the amount available with him. Increase these SIPs as per his salary increase every year.
• His financial goals in future would pertain to his children, house, retirement, vacations, vehicle and many more as per his own perception and requirements. For retirement goal, NPS (National Pension Scheme) would also be a good way to go ahead with in the form of SIPs there.

Ans: Understanding Your Financial Position
First, let me appreciate your disciplined approach to saving and investing. You earn Rs. 2.1 lakh per month and already invest Rs. 20,000 per month in mutual funds. Your existing savings in PPF (Rs. 18 lakhs), NPS (Rs. 7 lakhs), an HDFC policy (Rs. 9 lakhs), and PF (Rs. 38 lakhs) are commendable. This demonstrates a strong foundation for future financial goals, including your sons' education and your retirement.

Evaluating Your Current Investments
Your current investments provide a mix of safety, tax benefits, and potential growth. Here’s a breakdown:

Public Provident Fund (PPF): With Rs. 18 lakhs, PPF offers tax-free returns and safety. However, its long lock-in period limits liquidity.

National Pension System (NPS): With Rs. 7 lakhs, NPS is good for retirement due to its low-cost structure and tax benefits. But, it's not very liquid and has some equity market exposure.

HDFC Policy: The Rs. 9 lakhs in the HDFC policy should be carefully reviewed. Often, investment-cum-insurance policies offer lower returns due to high charges. You might consider surrendering this policy and reallocating the funds to higher-yielding investments.

Provident Fund (PF): Your PF savings of Rs. 38 lakhs are a solid, risk-free investment with decent returns and tax benefits. This forms a crucial part of your retirement corpus.

Investment Plan for Your Sons' Education
Given your sons are in 2nd standard, you have around 15 years before they start higher education. This time frame allows for a balanced investment strategy that maximises growth while managing risk. Here’s a structured plan:

Step 1: Estimating Future Education Costs
Education costs are rising, and it's crucial to estimate future expenses accurately. Assuming an annual inflation rate of 6% for education costs, let’s calculate the future cost of a four-year course.

Let's assume the current cost of a good quality higher education is around Rs. 10 lakhs per year.

Using the formula for compound interest, Future Value (FV) = Present Value (PV) * (1 + r)^n

Where:

PV = Rs. 10 lakhs
r = 6% (0.06)
n = 15 years
FV = 10,00,000 * (1 + 0.06)^15 = Rs. 23,96,000 approximately per year

For a four-year course, you will need roughly Rs. 95,84,000 for each son, totalling Rs. 1.92 crores.

Step 2: Investment Strategy
Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) in Mutual Funds: Continue your current SIPs and gradually increase them as your income grows. Actively managed funds can offer better returns compared to index funds, as professional fund managers aim to outperform the market.

Diversification: Spread investments across large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds. This will balance risk and growth potential.

Equity-Oriented Child Plans: Consider mutual fund schemes specifically designed for children's future needs. These plans often have a lock-in period, ensuring disciplined saving.

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY): If your sons were daughters, SSY would be an excellent choice for secure, tax-free returns. Instead, look for similar secure options tailored for boys.

Regular Review: Monitor the performance of your investments annually. Adjust the portfolio based on market conditions and changing financial goals.

Retirement Planning
Retirement planning requires a detailed assessment of future expenses, inflation, and life expectancy. Given your current age of 45, you likely have 15-20 years before retirement. Here’s a structured approach:

Step 1: Estimating Retirement Corpus
Estimate your monthly expenses post-retirement. Assuming your current monthly expense is Rs. 1 lakh, and you expect to maintain the same lifestyle:

Consider an inflation rate of 6%.

Using the formula for compound interest, FV = PV * (1 + r)^n

Where:

PV = Rs. 1 lakh
r = 6% (0.06)
n = 20 years (till retirement)
FV = 1,00,000 * (1 + 0.06)^20 = Rs. 3,21,000 approximately per month

You’ll need to plan for at least 20 years post-retirement. Thus, your annual requirement would be Rs. 3.21 lakhs * 12 = Rs. 38.52 lakhs.

For 20 years, considering the inflation-adjusted returns, you will need a significant corpus.

Step 2: Building the Corpus
Increase Contributions to NPS: Enhance your NPS contributions to benefit from its long-term growth and tax benefits. Diversify your NPS portfolio to include a balanced mix of equity, corporate bonds, and government securities.

Mutual Funds: Continue with SIPs in diversified mutual funds. Increase the amount periodically. Actively managed funds with a focus on blue-chip stocks can offer stability and growth.

Public Provident Fund (PPF): Continue contributing to PPF for its tax-free, secure returns. The long-term nature of PPF aligns well with retirement goals.

Employee Provident Fund (EPF): Maintain and possibly increase your EPF contributions if feasible. EPF offers risk-free, decent returns and is a cornerstone of retirement planning.

Health Insurance: Ensure you have adequate health insurance. Medical costs can erode your savings significantly. A robust health insurance plan safeguards your retirement corpus.

Step 3: Adjusting Investment Strategy
Reduce Equity Exposure Gradually: As you near retirement, gradually shift from equity to debt funds. This reduces risk and ensures capital preservation.

Diversify: Include debt funds, balanced funds, and government bonds in your portfolio. This provides stability and regular income post-retirement.

Review and Rebalance: Regularly review your portfolio. Rebalance it to maintain the desired asset allocation and adjust for market changes and personal financial goals.

Benefits of Investing Through Certified Financial Planners
Opting for regular funds through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) has several benefits over direct funds:

Professional Guidance: A CFP provides expert advice tailored to your financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.

Regular Monitoring: CFPs monitor your portfolio regularly, making necessary adjustments to optimise returns and manage risks.

Comprehensive Planning: CFPs offer holistic financial planning, considering all aspects of your financial life, including taxes, insurance, and estate planning.

Behavioural Coaching: A CFP helps you stay disciplined and avoid emotional investment decisions, which can be detrimental to long-term goals.

Administrative Support: Managing investments can be complex. A CFP handles the paperwork, compliance, and administrative tasks, allowing you to focus on your life and career.

Final Insights
Your disciplined saving and investing habits are commendable. With a well-structured plan, you can comfortably achieve your sons' education and your retirement goals. Focus on increasing your investments gradually, diversifying your portfolio, and seeking professional guidance to optimise returns and manage risks. Remember, regular reviews and adjustments to your financial plan are crucial to stay on track.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

Ans: You have been diligently working as a contract employee, earning Rs 45,000 per month, with the hope that your income will increase in the future. You also have a wife who is a homemaker and a 14-year-old child whose education will become a major financial concern in two years.

You have been investing Rs 3,000 monthly in a Public Provident Fund (PPF) account since 2013, which is a good start. However, you are concerned about market volatility, lack of knowledge in investments, and health insurance, especially being insulin-dependent.

Let’s explore your options and devise a strategy that can help you secure your family’s financial future.

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Health Insurance Concerns
Health insurance is critical, especially given your health condition. As an insulin-dependent diabetic, obtaining health insurance can be challenging but not impossible. You can explore the following options:

Senior Citizen Health Plans: These are designed for people with pre-existing conditions. Although you might be younger, some policies cater to those with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Critical Illness Plans: These can provide coverage for severe health conditions, including complications from diabetes. They pay a lump sum upon diagnosis of covered illnesses.

Diabetes-Specific Health Insurance: Some insurers offer plans specifically for diabetic patients. These plans might cover diabetes-related hospitalization and treatment.

While these options might come with higher premiums, securing health insurance is vital to prevent draining your savings in case of medical emergencies. You can also consider increasing your savings in your PPF or a separate health fund to prepare for unexpected health costs.

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Planning for Your Son’s Education
Your son’s education will require significant funds, especially in just two years. Since your income is limited and your PPF is a long-term investment, you need a reliable plan to meet this expense.

Education Loan: Consider an education loan to cover the bulk of the expenses. This option allows you to spread the cost over several years while focusing on maintaining your cash flow for other needs.

Short-Term Debt Funds: You can invest in debt funds that have a tenure matching your son’s education timeline. These funds are less volatile and provide more predictable returns than equity funds.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP): Though your time horizon is short, a SIP in a balanced fund can still provide growth with moderate risk. This option could supplement your savings.

You may also discuss with your son the possibility of part-time work or scholarships to ease the financial burden.

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Exploring Reliable Investment Plans
Given your fear of market ups and downs, it's understandable that you prefer stable and reliable investments. Let’s look at options that can provide growth without excessive risk:

Public Provident Fund (PPF): Continue your PPF investments, as this is a secure and tax-free option with decent returns. You can increase your monthly contribution if possible.

Debt Mutual Funds: These are safer than equity funds and provide better returns than fixed deposits. They are ideal for investors like you who want stability with a bit of growth.

Fixed Deposits (FDs): You can allocate a portion of your savings to FDs, which offer guaranteed returns. Consider laddering your FDs, where you invest in multiple deposits with different maturity dates to maintain liquidity.

Balanced Mutual Funds: These funds invest in a mix of equities and debt, offering a balanced approach. They provide some growth potential while managing risk. This could be a good option if you want to start investing in the market without taking too much risk.

Recurring Deposits (RDs): If you prefer a more conservative approach, RDs with banks or post offices are good options. They allow you to save a fixed amount monthly and earn interest, similar to an FD.

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Addressing Your Fear of Market Volatility
Your hesitation to invest due to market volatility is common. The key is to choose investments that align with your risk tolerance. Let’s address how you can manage this fear:

Start Small with SIPs: Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) in balanced or debt-oriented funds can help you enter the market gradually. The disciplined approach of SIPs smoothens the impact of market volatility over time.

Diversification: Spread your investments across different asset classes, such as PPF, debt funds, and FDs. This reduces the risk of loss from any single investment.

Stay Informed: Educating yourself about the market and different investment products can reduce fear. Understanding how markets work helps you make informed decisions without anxiety.

Consult a Certified Financial Planner: Working with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) can provide you with tailored advice. They can help you choose the right investments based on your risk appetite and financial goals.

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Building an Emergency Fund
Before making any investments, ensure that you have an emergency fund. This fund should cover at least 6-12 months of your expenses. Given your current income and expenses, this might seem challenging, but you can build it gradually.

Automate Savings: Set up automatic transfers to a separate savings account. This account should be dedicated solely to emergencies.

Start with Small Amounts: Even Rs 1,000 or Rs 2,000 per month can build up over time. The important thing is to be consistent.

Use Liquid Funds: You can also consider liquid mutual funds for your emergency fund. These funds offer better returns than a savings account while maintaining liquidity.

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Preparing for Future Income Growth
You mentioned the possibility of an increase in your income in the future. When that happens, it’s important to allocate the additional income wisely:

Increase Investments: Gradually increase your SIPs, PPF contributions, or other investments. This will help you build wealth faster without taking on too much risk.

Enhance Health Insurance: If your income increases, consider upgrading your health insurance plan to cover more potential health issues.

Plan for Retirement: Start thinking about your long-term retirement goals. Even a small monthly investment in a balanced mutual fund or a pension plan can grow significantly over time.

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Final Insights
Venugopal, your concerns are valid, and it’s good that you are seeking advice now. You have a strong foundation with your PPF investments and a stable income.

Focus on securing your health by exploring diabetes-specific health insurance plans. This will protect your savings from being depleted by medical expenses.

For your son’s education, consider a mix of short-term debt funds, SIPs, and possibly an education loan. This approach will help you manage this significant expense without straining your finances.

When it comes to investments, start small with SIPs in balanced or debt-oriented funds. This will help you overcome your fear of market volatility while allowing your money to grow.

Lastly, remember to build an emergency fund to handle any unexpected expenses. This will give you peace of mind and financial security.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner

www.holisticinvestment.in