Hello sir. I'm 28 years old married with a one year old kid. I'm fairly new to investment and such. Recently I've seen in policy bazar app options like retirement plan and kid savings plan and my question to you is can I invest in those as SIP and do I need a demat account for that to invest in there.
Ans: It’s great that you’re thinking about investing for your family’s future. Your dedication to securing your financial future is commendable. Let’s explore retirement plans and kid savings plans, and clarify how you can invest in them.
Retirement Plans and Kid Savings Plans
Retirement plans and kid savings plans are designed to help you achieve specific financial goals. They offer disciplined saving methods for long-term benefits.
Benefits of Retirement Plans
Retirement plans help you build a corpus for your post-retirement life. They provide regular income during retirement, ensuring financial independence. Investing early allows your money to compound over time, leading to a substantial corpus.
Benefits of Kid Savings Plans
Kid savings plans are tailored to secure your child’s future. They help fund education, marriage, or any major expenses. These plans offer a combination of insurance and investment, providing financial security to your child.
Investing through SIPs
Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) allow you to invest small amounts regularly. This method is ideal for long-term goals like retirement and child savings.
Advantages of SIPs
Disciplined Investment: SIPs ensure regular saving.
Rupee Cost Averaging: SIPs average out the purchase cost over time.
Compounding: Early and regular investments benefit from compounding.
Flexibility: SIPs can be started with small amounts and increased over time.
Do You Need a Demat Account?
For investing in mutual funds via SIPs, a Demat account is not required. Mutual funds can be directly invested through various platforms. A Demat account is essential for trading stocks or ETFs.
Disadvantages of Index Funds
Index funds simply track market indices and lack active management. They aim to match market performance but may miss out on potential gains. Actively managed funds strive to outperform the market, offering higher returns through professional management.
Benefits of Actively Managed Funds
Expert Management: Fund managers actively select and manage investments.
Higher Returns: Actively managed funds aim to outperform the market.
Risk Management: Fund managers adjust portfolios based on market conditions.
Evaluating Direct vs Regular Mutual Funds
Direct mutual funds have lower expense ratios but require investor expertise. Regular mutual funds, managed through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), provide professional guidance. The additional cost of regular funds is justified by the expertise and peace of mind they offer.
Creating a Balanced Portfolio
A balanced portfolio should include equity and debt mutual funds. Equity funds offer growth potential, while debt funds provide stability.
Asset Allocation
Based on your age and goals, the following allocation is advisable:
70% in Equity Mutual Funds: For growth potential.
30% in Debt Mutual Funds: For stability and risk mitigation.
Equity Mutual Funds
Equity mutual funds can be further diversified into:
Large-Cap Funds: Invest in well-established companies with stable returns.
Mid-Cap Funds: Offer higher growth potential but increased volatility.
Small-Cap Funds: High growth potential with higher risk.
Sectoral/Thematic Funds: Focus on specific sectors or themes with high returns.
Debt Mutual Funds
Debt mutual funds can be diversified into:
Short-Term Debt Funds: Provide liquidity and lower interest rate risk.
Corporate Bond Funds: Invest in high-rated corporate bonds for stable returns.
Government Bond Funds: Offer safety and moderate returns.
Monitoring and Rebalancing
Regular monitoring and rebalancing of your portfolio are crucial. This ensures your investments align with your financial goals and risk tolerance. A CFP can provide valuable insights and make necessary adjustments.
Emergency Fund
An emergency fund equivalent to six months’ expenses should be maintained. This ensures financial stability during unforeseen circumstances and prevents the need to liquidate long-term investments.
Insurance Coverage
Adequate life and health insurance coverage are essential. This protects against financial risks and ensures peace of mind.
Tax Planning
Mutual funds offer tax-efficient investment options. Equity funds held for more than one year qualify for long-term capital gains tax at 10% on gains exceeding Rs 1 lakh. Debt funds held for more than three years qualify for long-term capital gains tax at 20% with indexation benefits.
Additional Considerations
Your child’s future expenses, such as education and marriage, will gradually increase. Planning for these costs now will ensure their needs are met without financial strain.
Summary of Action Plan
Invest in SIPs for retirement and kid savings plans.
No need for a Demat account for mutual funds.
Allocate 70% to equity mutual funds for growth.
Allocate 30% to debt mutual funds for stability.
Regularly monitor and rebalance the portfolio with a CFP’s guidance.
Maintain an emergency fund for financial stability.
Ensure adequate insurance coverage.
By following this plan, you can secure your financial future and support your family’s needs.
Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in