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Anil

Anil Rego  | Answer  |Ask -

Financial Planner - Answered on Dec 21, 2020

Anil Rego is the founder of Right Horizons, a financial and wealth management firm. He has 20 years of experience in the field of personal finance.
He’s an expert in income tax and wealth management.
He has completed his CFA/MBA from the ICFAI Business School.... more
Peter Question by Peter on Dec 21, 2020Hindi
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I started my new Employee PF account in December 2005 and have been contributing until August 2017. At the age of 53, I moved out of the corporate. I received my PF interest in October 2018 for the financial year 2017-18 and in October 2019 for the financial year 2018-19. I am awaiting the next PF credit. I do not intend to get back to job. Please let me know until which year I will continue to get interest and the best time to withdraw my PF and the taxability of the same.

Ans: Your EPF account is eligible to get interest even if there is no fresh contribution till the retirement age of 58. In case of retirement where PF corpus is not withdrawn, post 36 months, the account becomes inoperative and no interest is paid. The interest earned during this period (36 months) may become taxable in your hands. Hence, you can make small periodic withdrawals so that the account is still operative.

You may choose to hold EPF corpus till the age of 58, and enjoy high interest rate of EPF.

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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Asked by Anonymous - May 29, 2024Hindi
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Hi Sir, Greetings! I worked in the company for 22 years. I resigned and moved to abroad for better opportunity. Currently my is 50 years and not withdrawn my EPF. I have the following query. 1. When can I withdraw my full EPF? 2. Upto what age I can earn interest on my EPF? 3. Tax on EPF interest.
Ans: Congratulations on your new opportunity abroad. It's great to see you're planning your EPF withdrawal wisely. Let's address your queries in detail.

When Can You Withdraw Your Full EPF?
You can withdraw your EPF under certain conditions:

Retirement: Full EPF withdrawal is allowed at the age of 58.

Unemployment: If you are unemployed for more than two months, you can withdraw your EPF.

Early Withdrawals
Partial Withdrawal: You can partially withdraw for specific reasons like home purchase, marriage, or education.

After 50: Since you are 50, you can withdraw up to 90% of your EPF one year before your retirement.

Upto What Age Can You Earn Interest on Your EPF?
Your EPF account earns interest until you withdraw the amount. However, there are important points to consider:

Active Accounts: As long as you are contributing, your EPF account remains active and earns interest.

Inactive Accounts: If there are no contributions for three years, your account becomes inactive.

Interest on Inactive Accounts
Interest Continuation: Even if your account is inactive, it continues to earn interest until the age of 58.

Post 58: After 58, interest is credited only if you have not withdrawn the EPF balance.

Tax on EPF Interest
Understanding the tax implications on EPF interest is crucial:

Exempted Interest: Interest earned on EPF is tax-free if you complete five continuous years of service.

Pre-Mature Withdrawal: If you withdraw before completing five years, interest is taxable.

Taxation on Withdrawals
After 5 Years: Withdrawals after five years are tax-free.

Before 5 Years: Taxable as per your income slab, and TDS is deducted if the amount exceeds Rs 50,000.

Analytical Insights
Full EPF Withdrawal at Retirement
Withdrawing EPF at 58 ensures you benefit from tax-free interest. Your funds continue to grow, providing a substantial retirement corpus.

Managing Inactive EPF Accounts
It's wise to keep track of your EPF account even if it's inactive. Ensure your KYC details are updated to avoid any complications during withdrawal.

Tax Planning
Consider tax implications before withdrawing your EPF. Plan withdrawals strategically to minimise tax liability.

Benefits of Regular Monitoring
Regularly monitor your EPF account to ensure it's earning interest. Update your bank details and KYC to avoid any issues during withdrawal.

Conclusion
By understanding when to withdraw your EPF, the interest it earns, and the tax implications, you can make informed decisions. Regular monitoring and strategic planning will help you maximise your EPF benefits.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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Asked by Anonymous - Oct 05, 2024Hindi
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I’m from Pune. I’m 48 with two children. Should I invest in ELSS funds to save tax, or should I focus on traditional instruments like PPF and fixed deposits?
Ans: Deciding between Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS) and traditional investment instruments like Public Provident Fund (PPF) and Fixed Deposits (FDs) depends on various factors, including your financial goals, risk tolerance, investment horizon, and tax-saving needs. Here's a comprehensive comparison to help you make an informed decision:

1. Understanding the Investment Options

a. ELSS (Equity Linked Savings Schemes)

• Nature: Equity Mutual Funds with a tax-saving component.
• Lock-In Period: 3 years (shortest among tax-saving instruments under Section 80C).
• Returns: Potentially higher returns as they are invested in equities, but subject to market volatility.
• Tax Benefits: Investments up to ?1.5 lakh per annum are eligible for deduction under Section 80C.
• Liquidity: Relatively higher liquidity post the lock-in period compared to other tax-saving instruments.

b. PPF (Public Provident Fund)

• Nature: Government-backed long-term savings scheme.
• Lock-In Period: 15 years.
• Returns: Moderate and tax-free returns, revised periodically by the government (typically around 7-8% p.a.).
• Tax Benefits: Investments up to ?1.5 lakh per annum qualify for deduction under Section 80C. The interest earned and the maturity amount are tax-free.
• Safety: Very low risk as it's backed by the government.

c. Fixed Deposits (FDs)

• Nature: Fixed-term investment with banks or post offices.
• Lock-In Period: Varies; typically no lock-in for regular FDs, but tax-saving FDs have a 5-year lock-in.
• Returns: Fixed interest rates, generally lower than ELSS but higher than savings accounts. Current rates vary but are around 5-7% p.a. for tax-saving FDs.
• Tax Benefits: Investments up to ?1.5 lakh in tax-saving FDs qualify for deduction under Section 80C.
• Safety: Low risk, especially with reputable banks.

2. Factors to Consider

a. Risk Appetite

• ELSS: Suitable if you are willing to take on market-related risks for potentially higher returns.
• PPF & FDs: Ideal for conservative investors seeking capital protection and guaranteed returns.

b. Investment Horizon

• ELSS: 3-year lock-in period, but generally better for medium to long-term goals.
• PPF: 15-year commitment, suitable for long-term goals like retirement or children's education.
• FDs: Flexible, but tax-saving FDs require a 5-year lock-in, suitable for medium-term goals.

c. Returns

• ELSS: Historically, ELSS funds have outperformed PPF and FDs over the long term, but with higher volatility.
• PPF: Offers stable and tax-free returns, which are beneficial in a low-interest-rate environment.
• FDs: Provide guaranteed returns, useful for capital preservation but may lag behind inflation and equity returns over time.

d. Tax Efficiency

• ELSS: Returns are subject to capital gains tax. Short-term (if held for less than 3 years) gains are taxed as per your income slab, while long-term gains (exceeding ?1 lakh) are taxed at 10%.
• PPF: Completely tax-free returns.
• FDs: Interest earned is taxable as per your income slab, which can reduce the effective returns.

3. Recommendations Based on Your Profile

Given that you are 48 years old with two children, your investment strategy should balance between growth and safety, considering your proximity to retirement and financial responsibilities.

a. Diversified Approach

A balanced portfolio that includes both ELSS and traditional instruments like PPF and FDs can help mitigate risks while aiming for reasonable growth.

• ELSS: Allocate a portion (e.g., 30-40%) to ELSS to benefit from potential equity growth, which can help in wealth accumulation for retirement or funding children's education.
• PPF: Continue contributing to PPF for long-term, stable, and tax-free returns. Given its 15-year tenure, it aligns well with retirement planning.
• FDs: Use FDs for short to medium-term goals or as a part of your emergency fund, ensuring liquidity and capital preservation.

b. Consider Your Tax Bracket

If you are in a higher tax bracket, maximizing tax-saving instruments under Section 80C can provide significant tax relief. ELSS, PPF, and tax-saving FDs all qualify, so diversifying among them can spread risk and optimize tax benefits.

c. Assess Liquidity Needs

Ensure you have sufficient liquidity for unforeseen expenses. While ELSS has a shorter lock-in compared to PPF, both still tie up funds for a few years. Maintain a separate emergency fund in a more liquid form, such as a savings account or liquid mutual funds.

d. Review Your Risk Tolerance

At 48, with retirement possibly 10-20 years away, a moderate risk appetite might be suitable. ELSS can offer growth potential, while PPF and FDs provide stability.

4. Additional Considerations

• Emergency Fund: Ensure you have 6-12 months' worth of expenses saved in a highly liquid form.
• Insurance: Adequate health and life insurance are crucial, especially with dependents.
• Debt Management: If you have any high-interest debt, prioritize paying it off before locking funds in fixed instruments.

5. Consult a Financial Advisor

While the above guidelines provide a general framework, it's advisable to consult with a certified financial planner or advisor. They can offer personalized advice tailored to your specific financial situation, goals, and risk tolerance.

Finally, both ELSS and traditional instruments like PPF and FDs have their unique advantages. A diversified investment strategy that leverages the strengths of each can help you achieve a balanced portfolio, ensuring both growth and security. Given your age and family responsibilities, striking the right balance between risk and safety is essential for long-term financial well-being.

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Asked by Anonymous - Aug 11, 2024Hindi
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This is urgent. Pls help. My son 18 yrs has been in a relationship with his classmate. He is intelligent and very venerable as he is innocent.She has been abetting him and his behaviour on the family has changed. He shouts at us and kind of surrendered himself to her. Anything we say irritates him. He has started telling lies. He locks the room and is on the phone hours together. Even if he tells that he is sleepy, she doesn't allow him to sleep. He doesn't know that we are aware of it. We tried to indirectly talk but he doesn't care about anything as he blindly follows her instructions. He doesn't listen to anyone. We feel something is wrong. Should we talk to her parents or use some law? Making them sit and advice doesn't work.
Ans: The challenge here is that he’s likely in a highly emotional and intense phase of his life, where his attachment to this person may feel all-consuming. When someone feels like they're being judged or controlled, they tend to push back harder, and it seems that's what’s happening with your son. Approaching him with confrontation or involving legal measures may only cause him to withdraw even more.

What he needs right now, even if he doesn't realize it, is understanding and connection. If you can find a way to express your concern for his well-being, not just your disapproval of his relationship, it might open up a space for dialogue. He may feel trapped in this relationship in ways he can't yet see. Your role can be to help him feel safe enough to reflect on his own choices, rather than feel he has to defend them.

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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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