My Sister passed away of a sudden and she had a little daughter of 6 years , my brother-in-law is chain drinker and he want all the money left by my sister , whereas we want to secure that money for the bright future of my niece. My Mother aged 73 is nominee of my sister andgot some amount for her office after she [assed away we want to Secure that money in some FD so that my no-one except my niece should get that once she attain the age of 17-18 so that the money can be utilised by her for higher studies or marrige . Pls. suggest

Ans: You have worked hard and built a solid financial base. Now, your goal is to secure your granddaughter’s future. This is a noble and thoughtful aim. Your financial portfolio is already diversified. However, there are a few key areas where you can make adjustments to further reduce risk, improve returns, and ensure long-term stability for your granddaughter.

Here’s a 360-degree solution to help you better manage your finances and achieve your goals.

Your Existing Investments

Fixed Deposits (FDs): Rs. 15 lakhs earning an average of 8% interest is a stable investment. FDs are risk-free but offer lower returns over time when compared to other investment options. Inflation could erode the value of this amount in the long term.

Public Provident Fund (PPF): Rs. 20 lakhs in PPF is an excellent investment, offering tax-free interest. It also provides good security. It’s wise to continue investing Rs. 1.5 lakhs annually here as it will help create a substantial, risk-free corpus for the future.

Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY): Rs. 15 lakhs at an 8% interest rate in this scheme is a good choice for senior citizens like you. It provides regular income while being low-risk.

Mutual Funds: Rs. 20 lakhs in mutual funds is a good way to participate in market growth. These funds could offer higher returns over the long term, but they also carry more risk than FDs or PPF.

Physical Gold: Rs. 20 lakhs worth of gold is a solid hedge against inflation. However, gold alone won’t generate income or high returns. While it provides stability, too much gold can limit your portfolio’s growth potential.

Income Sources and Part-Time Job

You have Rs. 10,000 monthly rental income and Rs. 15,000 from your part-time job. This helps create a comfortable situation for your day-to-day needs. Since you live with your family and have no major expenses, it’s great that you can focus on investing for your granddaughter's future.

Reverse Mortgage Loan on Ancestral Property

Your plan to take a reverse mortgage loan is a good way to unlock the value of your ancestral property. You expect to get around Rs. 1 crore, and you are considering setting up a family trust. This is an excellent idea for securing your family’s financial future.

The reverse mortgage will provide you with funds while you continue to live in the house. You can use these funds to invest in your granddaughter’s name or create a long-term income stream.

Your Stock Portfolio

Shares: Rs. 1 lakh in stocks such as Indian Bank, Karnataka Bank, and Power Grid Corporation is a nice addition to your portfolio. However, individual stocks carry higher risk, especially if they are concentrated in one sector. Since you already have a decent exposure to mutual funds, you may consider reducing the risk in this area by reviewing the performance of these stocks periodically.
Gold Bonds and Senior Citizen Schemes

Gold Bonds: Rs. 50,000 in government gold bonds is another smart choice as it’s safer than holding physical gold. These bonds also offer some interest income and are free from the hassle of storage.

Senior Citizen Savings Scheme (SCSS): Rs. 5 lakhs in SCSS is an excellent low-risk option that provides a steady income. It’s advisable to continue holding this.

Health Insurance

Both you and your wife have Rs. 5 lakhs each in health insurance. This is a critical part of financial planning. At your age, medical expenses could be a significant burden. Having adequate health cover ensures that your savings won’t be affected by any unexpected medical costs.

Your Financial Goals for Granddaughter

You’re already doing a fantastic job with the investments you’ve made for your granddaughter. However, let’s look at how you can optimize this further.

PPF Contributions: You plan to invest Rs. 1.5 lakhs per year in her PPF account. This is an excellent idea. PPF is safe and offers tax benefits. Continue with this plan.

Mutual Fund Investments: You’ve already invested in funds like UTI Flexicap and UTI Focused Equity Fund. Both funds are actively managed and have the potential for growth over the long term. Actively managed funds tend to outperform index funds, as they adapt to market changes. Keep reviewing the performance of these funds every year with the help of a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).

New SIP Plan for Granddaughter

You have planned to start a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) of Rs. 1.2 lakhs annually (Rs. 10,000 per month). This is a smart move, and it’s crucial to choose the right funds to build wealth for your granddaughter. I suggest focusing on the following types of funds:

Multi-Asset Fund: These funds invest in a mix of equity, debt, and gold. This diversification reduces risk while providing potential for growth. A multi-asset fund would be a great fit for your granddaughter’s long-term needs.

Flexi Cap Fund: This fund can invest across market capitalizations, offering both stability and growth potential. Since it’s actively managed, it will aim to maximize returns by adjusting to market conditions.

Aggressive Hybrid Fund: This fund balances equity and debt, providing both growth and safety. It’s ideal for wealth creation over the long term.

Trust and Estate Planning

You are planning to set up a family trust with the proceeds from the reverse mortgage. This is an excellent way to manage and protect your assets for the benefit of your family and your granddaughter. The trust will help ensure that the funds are used according to your wishes.

When setting up a trust, make sure to:

Define clear goals for the trust, such as education, marriage, or other specific needs for your granddaughter.

Appoint a reliable trustee, either a family member or a professional, to manage the trust.

Ensure that the trust is legally compliant and tax-efficient.

Considerations for Your Investment Portfolio

Risk Management: Since you are 78 years old, it’s essential to maintain a balanced portfolio. Too much exposure to equities could be risky. A mix of equity (mutual funds) and fixed income (PPF, FD, SCSS) would be ideal for reducing risk.

Review of Mutual Funds: With 25 mutual funds, there might be overlaps in your portfolio. A concentrated portfolio of a few well-performing funds is often better than spreading investments too thinly. It’s a good idea to consolidate your mutual funds into 4-5 top performers. Regularly reviewing them with a Certified Financial Planner will help optimize your returns.

Liquidity: You have Rs. 3 lakhs in your savings account for emergencies. This is a good strategy. Maintaining liquidity ensures that you can handle unforeseen expenses without disturbing long-term investments.

Tax Efficiency

Keep in mind the tax benefits available under sections like 80C for PPF and health insurance. Since you have multiple income sources (FD interest, rental income, part-time job), tax planning is crucial. Reducing your tax liability can help maximize your investments. A Certified Financial Planner can guide you on tax-saving strategies.

Final Insights

You are in a solid financial position, with diverse investments and a clear goal to secure your granddaughter’s future. Here are some key points to consider moving forward:

Continue your PPF contributions and mutual fund SIPs in her name.

Focus on multi-asset and flexi cap funds to balance growth and risk.

Review and consolidate your mutual funds to avoid overlaps.

Ensure your family trust is set up with clear goals and legal backing.

Regularly review your portfolio to ensure it aligns with your goals.

Your granddaughter’s future is already well on its way to being secure, thanks to your thoughtful planning and wise investments.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

Ans: Your concern for your niece’s future is completely valid. You are taking the right steps by investing in Sukanya Samriddhi (SSA), SIPs, and gold. However, protecting her investments from potential misuse is equally important. Here’s how you can safeguard the SIP corpus from any interference.

Key Risks to Address
SIPs are in your niece’s name with your sister as guardian.
Your brother-in-law (BIL) might influence your sister to withdraw the funds.
Once your niece turns 18, she will get full access, making it vulnerable.
Steps to Secure the SIP Investments
1. Use Your Own Name as the Guardian
If possible, change the guardian to yourself instead of your sister.
As a guardian, you will control the investments until your niece turns 18.
This prevents any withdrawals without your approval.
2. Invest in a Minor Trust Instead of a Direct SIP
Set up a trust in your niece’s name with a legal framework.
The trust can specify that funds are only for education or marriage.
Your BIL or even your niece (after 18) cannot misuse the funds.
A trusted lawyer can help you create this trust legally.
3. Lock Investments in a Child Plan Mutual Fund
Some mutual funds have child plans with lock-in periods until 18-21 years.
This means no one can withdraw the funds before maturity.
Once she turns 18, she can only use the money for specific purposes.
4. Open a Custodial Account
If trust formation is not possible, invest through a custodial account.
A custodian (you) will manage the funds until a set age.
The account will prevent any premature withdrawals.
5. Keep SIPs in Your Name and Transfer Later
If none of the above work, continue SIPs in your own name.
Once your niece reaches 21-25, gift her the amount in a structured way.
This ensures the corpus remains safe and she gets the funds when mature enough.
Additional Steps for Protection
Do not disclose the full financial plan to your BIL.
Educate your sister on financial discipline and risks of bad investments.
Keep SSA and gold as separate, untouchable assets.
Finally
You are making an admirable effort to secure your niece’s future.
The best option is either a trust, a custodial account, or a child plan.
If not possible, keep investments in your own name and transfer later.
The key is to keep control away from those who may misuse it.
Would you like more details on setting up a trust or other legal protection?

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