Hello,
Need some financial advice. I am 44 and my wife is 41, both are IT professionals and we have a 10 year old daughter as well. We lead a pretty comfortable life with both earning 3.6 and 3.2 lacks respectively each month. Last year we have paid all loans and EMI free now. Below are asset position
Real Estate
1. Flat 1 where we live worth around 1.7 CR
2. Flat 2 which is rented out worth around 90 L and earning a rent of 20k
3. Villa plot around 2 CR
4. Villa plot around 40 L
5. We should have a family inheritance of around 7-8 CR
Financial assets
1. PF around 1.1 CR
2.PPF & SSY 30L
3.NPS 20L
4.Mutual funds 50L
5. Shared & RSU's 65-70L
6.FD & Bank deposits 30L
7.LIC and other stuff 10L
8.Crypto 7L
9.Bonds and structured products 25L
10.Gold 1-1.5 CR
Our monthly expenses is around 1.5-1.7 lacks as we live a non compromised life and taking international vacations every year.
Monthly investment outflows are as follows
Mutual Fund SIP 2L
RD 1.2 L
PF 1L (before the take home salary)
PPF 25K
SSY 12.5K
NPS 60K (before the take home salary
Pension product 5L every year for next 10 years which will give a pension of 35k for next 35 years as well as the paid amount
We have two cars which is also fully paid off.
Considering the uncertainty in IT sector we are little worried and need to properly plan for retirement
Ans: let’s review your financial portfolio and focus on a comprehensive plan to ensure a secure retirement. I’ll address various aspects to optimise your finances and help you achieve peace of mind.
Current Financial Overview
Real Estate
Your primary residence and an additional rental property provide stable assets.
The villa plots, while valuable, could benefit from further planning if they’re intended for future liquidation.
Financial Assets
You’ve built a substantial portfolio, diversified across PPF, PF, NPS, mutual funds, stocks, fixed deposits, LIC, bonds, crypto, and gold.
Your mutual fund investments are well allocated with a consistent SIP of Rs 2 lakh.
The presence of family inheritance gives an added layer of financial assurance.
Monthly Investments and Savings
Your disciplined monthly investments in mutual funds, recurring deposits, PF, PPF, SSY, and NPS show a well-rounded approach.
Your ongoing Rs 5 lakh annual investment in a pension plan adds another layer of retirement security.
Retirement Planning Assessment
Given your current financial standing, your goal to secure retirement against IT industry uncertainties is achievable with strategic adjustments.
Asset Allocation Strategy
1. Optimising Mutual Fund Investments
Actively managed funds may provide higher returns compared to index funds, especially in the long run.
Review your mutual fund portfolio to ensure it aligns with your risk appetite and retirement timeline.
Consider investing through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) who can help track performance and reallocate funds if required.
Benefits of Regular Funds Over Direct Funds: Regular funds through a CFP offer expert monitoring, timely rebalancing, and professional guidance for market fluctuations, ensuring optimal portfolio performance.
Taxation Consideration: For equity mutual funds, note that Long Term Capital Gains (LTCG) above Rs 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%, while Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG) are taxed at 20%. For debt funds, gains are taxed as per your income tax slab.
2. Reassessing Fixed Deposits and Bonds
While FD and bond investments offer stability, they may not keep up with inflation.
Explore higher-yielding fixed-income products or debt mutual funds for improved returns while managing risk.
This shift could enhance portfolio growth without significant risk exposure.
3. PF, PPF, and SSY Contributions
Provident Fund (PF), Public Provident Fund (PPF), and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY) provide stability with tax benefits.
Continue contributing as planned, especially to SSY for your daughter’s future needs.
With Rs 1.1 crore in PF, this will act as a substantial retirement fund component.
4. Crypto and Structured Products Caution
Crypto can be highly volatile; consider limiting exposure to preserve capital stability.
Structured products may offer diversification, but they need periodic review for relevance and risk exposure.
Consult with a CFP to evaluate these products’ performance against their risk.
5. Liquidating Real Estate Over Time
Your real estate portfolio holds significant value, especially with the potential inheritance.
Over time, liquidating some assets could provide a retirement corpus boost.
Plan the sale of assets based on market conditions to avoid forced liquidation in a downturn.
Enhancing Retirement Corpus with Strategic Investments
1. Build a Retirement Corpus in Mutual Funds
Target a Rs 8-10 crore corpus by age 60 to cover lifestyle expenses and inflation.
SIPs in diversified equity mutual funds and balanced hybrid funds can provide high growth potential.
Review performance annually to stay on track.
2. Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) for Passive Income
For regular income during retirement, an SWP from mutual funds allows tax-efficient withdrawals.
Start by investing in mutual funds intended for SWP to generate monthly income from dividends or capital gains.
3. Increase NPS Contributions Gradually
NPS provides an efficient retirement solution with tax benefits under Section 80CCD(1B).
Gradually increase contributions as the NPS corpus will enhance your pension income in retirement.
4. LIC and Traditional Policies Review
Traditional policies like LIC may have lower returns compared to mutual funds.
Evaluate if it’s beneficial to surrender LIC and reinvest proceeds in higher-yielding mutual funds.
Work with a CFP for a balanced approach, ensuring you maintain life insurance for protection.
Tax Optimisation Strategies
1. Efficient Investment Tax Planning
Make the most of Section 80C benefits through PPF, SSY, ELSS, and life insurance premiums.
Explore additional deductions under Sections 80CCD(1B) for NPS, helping reduce taxable income.
Review mutual fund redemptions annually to avoid excessive LTCG tax.
2. Real Estate and Inheritance Tax Strategy
Plan future inheritances to minimise estate and transfer taxes.
A well-structured inheritance plan can help preserve wealth for future generations.
Risk Management with Comprehensive Insurance
1. Health Insurance Update
Ensure you have adequate health insurance for the entire family, considering the rising healthcare costs.
Enhance coverage if needed, especially considering potential medical inflation over the next 20-30 years.
2. Life Insurance and Contingency Planning
Ensure that you have adequate term insurance to cover financial dependents.
Regularly assess if insurance coverage aligns with current financial commitments and retirement goals.
Lifestyle and Retirement Expenses
1. Budgeting for a Comfortable Retirement
Target a retirement corpus that comfortably supports Rs 1.5-1.7 lakh monthly expenses.
Plan for inflation-adjusted withdrawals to avoid dipping into the principal too soon.
2. Plan for International Vacations Post-Retirement
Designate a portion of your retirement corpus specifically for annual vacations.
Consider periodic returns from liquid mutual funds or SWP income for these leisure expenses.
Final Insights
Your disciplined investments and asset base are commendable.
With systematic planning, you can achieve a secure and comfortable retirement.
Consider working with a CFP for regular reviews and strategic rebalancing.
This guidance will help you confidently reach Rs 8-10 crore by retirement.
Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment