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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10836 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 21, 2024

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 23 years of experience in mutual funds and financial planning.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of Madras and is a certified financial planner.
He is the director and chief financial planner at Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based firm that offers financial planning and wealth management advice.... more
Asked by Anonymous - May 21, 2024Hindi
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Hi sunil sir iam 45 year old i want to retire next year my monthly expense 50000 per month, how much money need to sustain at the age of 80

Ans: Understanding Your Retirement Needs
Sunil sir, planning for retirement is a critical step. I understand your need for a comfortable and secure retirement. Retiring next year at age 46 and sustaining until age 80 requires careful financial planning.

Estimating Future Expenses
Your current monthly expense is ?50,000. This amount will likely increase due to inflation. It's important to account for this in your retirement plan. Inflation can erode the value of money over time. For instance, what costs ?50,000 today will cost much more in the future.

Creating a Retirement Corpus
To maintain your lifestyle, you need to accumulate a substantial retirement corpus. This corpus should generate enough returns to cover your monthly expenses adjusted for inflation. The goal is to ensure you do not outlive your savings.

Investment Strategy
A well-diversified investment portfolio is essential. Diversification reduces risk and enhances returns. Focus on a mix of equity and debt funds. Equity funds provide growth, while debt funds offer stability.

Benefits of Actively Managed Funds
Actively managed funds can outperform the market with the expertise of fund managers. They adjust portfolios based on market conditions. This dynamic management can yield better returns than index funds.

Professional Guidance
A Certified Financial Planner can help tailor an investment strategy to meet your retirement goals. They offer personalized advice considering your financial situation and risk tolerance. Their expertise ensures a well-structured retirement plan.

Importance of Regular Review
Regularly reviewing your retirement plan is crucial. Financial markets and personal circumstances change. Annual reviews with your planner can help adjust your investments to stay on track.

Emergency Fund
Maintain an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses. This fund should be easily accessible and separate from your retirement corpus. It ensures you don't have to dip into your retirement savings for emergencies.

Health Insurance
Adequate health insurance is vital. Medical expenses can be significant in retirement. A comprehensive health insurance plan protects your savings from unforeseen medical costs.

Managing Withdrawals
Plan your withdrawals carefully to avoid depleting your corpus too soon. A systematic withdrawal plan helps manage your finances efficiently. It ensures you have a steady income stream throughout retirement.

Tax Planning
Effective tax planning can enhance your retirement savings. Utilize tax-efficient investment options. A Certified Financial Planner can help optimize your investments to minimize tax liabilities.

Appreciating the Journey
Your foresight in planning for retirement is commendable. Taking steps now ensures a secure and comfortable future. It's important to stay informed and proactive about your financial health.

Conclusion
Sunil sir, your dedication to securing a stable retirement is inspiring. With a comprehensive plan and professional guidance, you can achieve your retirement goals. Remember, the key is to start early and stay disciplined.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
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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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10836 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 07, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 29, 2024Hindi
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Iam 45 year old ,i want to retire know my mothly expenses is 55ooo thousand per month,how much money required to survive till the age of 80
Ans: It's great that you're thinking about your retirement and planning ahead. Here are some steps to help you determine how much money you'll need to retire comfortably:

Calculate Your Retirement Expenses: Start by listing down all your current monthly expenses, including essentials like housing, utilities, groceries, healthcare, and discretionary spending. Add an inflation buffer to estimate future expenses.
Determine Your Retirement Age: Decide at what age you want to retire. Since you're 45 now, consider how many years you have until retirement.
Estimate Your Retirement Income: Assess all potential sources of retirement income, such as pensions, annuities, Social Security, and investment income.
Calculate the Gap: Subtract your estimated retirement income from your projected retirement expenses to determine how much additional income you'll need from savings and investments.
Determine Required Corpus: Once you have the annual shortfall in retirement income, multiply it by the number of years you expect to be retired. This will give you an estimate of the total corpus required to cover your retirement expenses.
Adjust for Inflation: Remember to account for inflation when calculating your retirement corpus. Inflation can erode the purchasing power of your savings over time, so it's crucial to plan for it.
Consult a Financial Planner: Consider seeking guidance from a Certified Financial Planner to help you create a personalized retirement plan. A professional can provide valuable insights and recommendations tailored to your financial situation and goals.
By following these steps and consulting with a financial planner, you can determine how much money you'll need to retire comfortably and develop a strategy to achieve your retirement goals. Remember, it's never too late to start planning for retirement, and taking proactive steps now can help secure your financial future.

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10836 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 23, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 13, 2025
Money
Age 37 and retirement age 60 . Having corpus of 45 lakh with me in mutual fund stocks and gold . Having 1 5 years old son and wife together living. Monthly expenses are 55 k and investing 35K in MF out of total monthly earning 90K. how much amount I need after retirement to live comfortably life.
Ans: You are 37 now. You plan to retire at 60. That gives you 23 years to invest. You are already doing well with a Rs. 45 lakh corpus and Rs. 35K SIP.

Let us now assess how much you may need post-retirement to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.

 

Understanding Your Current Lifestyle
You spend Rs. 55K per month now.

 

That equals Rs. 6.6 lakh per year.

 

Your family includes your wife and 15-year-old son.

 

Your lifestyle may not reduce drastically post-retirement.

 

In fact, medical and personal expenses may go up.

 

So, we must plan inflation-adjusted future needs.

 

You have 23 years until retirement.

 

Inflation may reduce the value of money every year.

 

Assuming average lifestyle inflation, your future needs will increase.

 

Estimating Retirement Corpus Required
With 6% inflation, Rs. 55K/month becomes about Rs. 2.1 lakh/month in 23 years.

 

That means you will need about Rs. 25 lakh annually after retirement.

 

Post-retirement, you may live till 85. That means 25 years of retired life.

 

For 25 years, you’ll need income generation from your corpus.

 

This should beat inflation and also give you a steady income.

 

Therefore, your target corpus should ideally be Rs. 4 crore to Rs. 5 crore.

 

This range considers inflation, life expectancy, healthcare, and travel goals.

 

Evaluating Your Current Position
You have Rs. 45 lakh saved already. That’s a great start.

 

You invest Rs. 35K monthly in mutual funds.

 

You have a stable income of Rs. 90K/month.

 

Your savings rate is 39%. Very impressive.

 

You have disciplined investing behaviour.

 

You are also diversified into gold and stocks.

 

This gives a strong base for compounding.

 

Assuming a balanced risk profile, you can aim for 10-12% annual returns.

 

Over 23 years, your current savings and SIPs can help you reach your target.

 

Suggestions to Maximise Retirement Readiness
Continue Rs. 35K SIP monthly without fail.

 

Gradually increase SIP amount by 5-10% every year.

 

This will match inflation and grow your contribution.

 

Shift equity-heavy funds to moderate risk 5 years before retirement.

 

Ensure you hold diversified mutual funds managed by reputed AMCs.

 

Avoid index funds. They only copy the market.

 

Index funds don’t protect you in falling markets.

 

Actively managed funds aim to beat the market.

 

A skilled fund manager can control downside.

 

Direct mutual funds seem low-cost. But they miss human guidance.

 

A Certified Financial Planner-backed MFD can guide with proper rebalancing.

 

You will need help during market falls.

 

Regular plan through MFD with CFP gives personalised support.

 

Avoid real estate as an investment. It lacks liquidity.

 

Real estate also has tax, maintenance, and legal hassles.

 

Instead, focus on mutual funds, gold, and debt allocation.

 

You can also add PPF and NPS for retirement safety.

 

Allocate 10-15% of savings into gold as a hedge.

 

Ensure your emergency fund is ready for 6-12 months of expenses.

 

Don’t forget health insurance with Rs. 10-25 lakh cover.

 

It will reduce medical pressure post-retirement.

 

Consider term insurance until your child becomes financially stable.

 

You can surrender any LIC or ULIP policies.

 

Reinvest surrender amount into mutual funds for higher growth.

 

Set goal-wise buckets for wealth creation, son’s education, and retirement.

 

Review your plan with a Certified Financial Planner every year.

 

Don’t chase returns. Focus on consistency and time in market.

 

Compounding works best with patience and discipline.

 

Rebalance portfolio once a year. Reduce risk as age increases.

 

Keep your wife involved in your financial planning.

 

Teach your son about basic finance. It’ll help him in future.

 

Income Strategy Post Retirement
Use Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) for monthly income.

 

SWP gives you monthly income from mutual funds.

 

It’s tax-efficient compared to fixed deposits.

 

SWP from equity funds has new tax rules.

 

Long term capital gains above Rs. 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%.

 

Short-term gains taxed at 20%.

 

SWP can be created from balanced or multi-cap funds.

 

Mix it with debt funds for safety and lower volatility.

 

Plan 3 income buckets – Immediate, Medium, Long-Term.

 

Immediate (0-5 yrs) – keep low-risk debt and liquid funds.

 

Medium (5-10 yrs) – hold balanced and flexi-cap funds.

 

Long term (10+ yrs) – invest in small and mid-cap funds.

 

This strategy protects capital while providing income.

 

Tax planning must be done smartly to reduce outgo.

 

Withdraw money in tax-smart way from various buckets.

 

You can use HUF account for tax savings if applicable.

 

Steps You Can Take Now
Make a written goal for Rs. 4 to 5 crore retirement corpus.

 

Continue monthly SIP of Rs. 35K. Increase yearly if possible.

 

Keep investing bonus and lump sum into mutual funds.

 

Do not pause SIPs during market falls.

 

Track goal progress every 2-3 years.

 

Match asset allocation as per life stage.

 

Buy health insurance separately for self and wife.

 

Plan your son’s higher education with a separate corpus.

 

Avoid using retirement fund for child’s education.

 

Keep estate planning documents updated.

 

Write a Will. Nominate family across all accounts.

 

Keep records of mutual funds, stocks, insurance in one place.

 

Inform spouse about everything.

 

This reduces family stress in your absence.

 

Treat retirement planning as life goal, not just financial goal.

 

Retirement is your longest holiday. Plan it with joy.

 

Discipline + time + patience = financial freedom.

 

Finally
You are already doing very well. Your monthly investments are strong. Expenses are controlled. Lifestyle is modest and focused.

You need around Rs. 4 to 5 crore corpus. This will help you live comfortably post 60.

You have 23 years. That’s enough time to build this corpus. You must continue with focused discipline. And review your plan regularly with a Certified Financial Planner.

This way, your retirement will be peaceful. And full of freedom.

 

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10836 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 30, 2025

Money
Dear Sir, i am 48 years old working with a pvt company my monthly expenses are ard 50,000 INR - how much will i need at the age of 58 ie my retirement
Ans: You’re already thinking about retirement at 48. That’s a wise and timely step.
Planning early gives you more control. You can build a worry-free and peaceful retired life.

Below is a complete and in-depth answer, keeping in mind your lifestyle and future needs.

? First Understand the Role of Inflation
– Inflation reduces the value of money every year.
– Rs.50,000 today may not be enough after 10 years.
– Expenses will double roughly in 10–12 years.
– So, you must plan not for today’s cost, but future cost.
– This is the most common mistake in retirement planning.

? Know What You Really Need Monthly After Retirement
– Today your monthly cost is Rs.50,000.
– At 58, it may become Rs.1 lakh or more per month.
– This assumes average inflation of around 7–8%.
– So, plan for future monthly need, not just today’s.
– This helps you stay prepared and stress-free later.

? Work Out Retirement Corpus to Cover Expenses for Life
– You may live till age 85 or even 90.
– So, you need 30+ years of income after retirement.
– Your retirement corpus should generate income for all these years.
– It must beat inflation and yet be safe.
– You must not outlive your money.
– This is the core goal of retirement planning.

? Don’t Depend on EPF or PPF Alone
– These will not be enough on their own.
– Their return is fixed and taxable.
– EPF corpus may last only few years.
– PPF is too small and cannot give monthly income.
– So, you need a bigger, balanced retirement corpus.
– It should combine safety, income, and growth.

? Estimate the Corpus Needed at Retirement
– You may need around Rs.2–3 crore minimum by age 58.
– This depends on expected expenses, lifestyle, health, and inflation.
– If expenses grow faster, you will need more corpus.
– Better to overestimate than underestimate.
– This amount will generate income through Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP).

? SWP is Better Than Pension or Annuity
– Don’t go for annuity or pension plans.
– They offer low returns.
– No inflation protection and no flexibility.
– In SWP, you withdraw monthly from mutual fund.
– Your money stays invested and grows.
– You keep full control and ownership of the corpus.

? Stay Away from Index Funds
– Index funds don’t protect in falling markets.
– They just follow the market blindly.
– No professional selection of stocks.
– Active funds offer better research and management.
– They also adjust to market cycles better.
– For long-term needs like retirement, active funds work best.

? Avoid Direct Mutual Funds – Prefer Regular Plans with Guidance
– Direct plans give no support or advice.
– You may choose wrong fund or asset mix.
– Regular plans through Certified Financial Planner-backed MFD is safer.
– You get personalised reviews, rebalancing, and alerts.
– In retirement, peace matters more than tiny cost saving.

? Divide the Retirement Corpus into Two Buckets
– Income Bucket gives monthly income from age 58.
– Growth Bucket grows till you need it later.
– This method protects your future years.
– It also reduces stress on income funds.
– It helps refill the income bucket later.

? How Much Monthly Income Will You Need After Retirement?
– At 58, your Rs.50,000 expense may become Rs.1 lakh.
– After 70, it may rise to Rs.1.5 lakh monthly.
– You must plan to meet these increases.
– Otherwise, your money will fall short too early.
– Plan for rising expenses due to inflation.

? Include Health Insurance in Your Plan
– After 60, medical costs will be high.
– No employer will cover you after retirement.
– Buy a large, family floater plan today.
– Keep increasing sum insured every 2–3 years.
– Don’t depend only on savings for medical cost.

? Don’t Keep All Money in Fixed Deposit
– FD returns are taxable and low.
– FD doesn’t beat inflation.
– Interest may reduce in future.
– Also, no flexibility in withdrawals.
– Instead, use a mix of funds for income and growth.

? Use STP to Move Lumpsum Slowly into Growth Funds
– Don’t invest full amount at once into equity.
– Start with liquid fund.
– Then use Systematic Transfer Plan to shift into equity funds.
– This gives better cost averaging and safety.
– It helps enter the market without worry.

? Avoid Real Estate for Retirement Planning
– Real estate has low rental yield.
– Buying and selling is difficult.
– No monthly income unless tenant is found.
– Maintenance costs are high.
– Better to keep liquid, safe investments for retirement.

? Use Regular Mutual Funds with Active Management
– These are better than index or direct funds.
– You get better service, expert fund management.
– Also, annual reviews and tracking support.
– Good for people who don’t want to monitor daily.
– It also gives family members peace of mind.

? Build Emergency Fund Separately
– Keep Rs.10–15 lakh in liquid funds.
– This should not be part of retirement corpus.
– Use for emergency or medical need.
– This prevents disturbance to retirement investments.

? Involve Family in Planning
– Discuss your retirement plan with spouse.
– Make them aware of investments and documents.
– Name them as nominee or joint holder.
– This avoids confusion in your absence.

? Avoid Insurance-Cum-Investment Plans
– ULIPs or traditional insurance give poor return.
– They lock money and have hidden charges.
– If you have such policies, surrender them.
– Reinvest in mutual funds for better transparency and return.
– Separate insurance and investment always.

? Plan Retirement in Phases
– Phase 1: Age 58 to 70 – active life, travel, hobbies.
– Phase 2: Age 70 to 80 – lower expenses, medical cost rises.
– Phase 3: Age 80+ – mostly health and care cost.
– Design investment accordingly.
– More equity in early phase, more debt later.

? Final Insights
– You are taking the right step now.
– Planning at 48 gives you time to build.
– Start investing monthly in mutual funds.
– Use equity, hybrid, and conservative funds.
– At retirement, use SWP for monthly income.
– Avoid annuity, index funds, direct funds, real estate.
– Choose regular funds with Certified Financial Planner help.
– Build emergency fund and health insurance.
– Review every year. Involve family. Stay disciplined.

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Naveenn

Naveenn Kummar  |228 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF, Insurance Expert - Answered on Nov 10, 2025

Money
Hi, I'm 49 married with 2 kids aged 16 and 11. I work in mid mgmt in a Finance co. Wife is 45 works at a Bank. Combined annual salary is 80 lakhs. Live in a home which just got loan free. Have a rental income of 40k monthly that my wife gets. Mom also lives with us and she gets a rental income of 45k per month. I have invested in a small office space which will be ready by mid 2027 and has a construction linked plan, have to pay 40L more. I Have stocks of 45L and EPF of 60L PPF of 12 L. Have ancestral property in land at native place not much but say 25L. Mom has pledged 50% of her assets to my sister. Liability of office and company car is 6L. School fees and tution fees are paid from rental income and wife chips in. There's maintenance, club membership fees, insurance, repairs and maintenance, kids pocket money, groceries, internet, mobile, maids etc. which I pay. I'm thinking of quitting my job and starting something on my own. I am a guest lecturer at a college which is pro bono and also helping 2 Startups of friends over weekend with a tiny equity stake in one. Is it a right decision? Pressure at work is high, growth chances are minimum. Many colleagues asked to go. The environment isn't very encouraging. Pls advise if I'm ok financially with about 45 lakhs liability. Never got a chance to save as EMIs were 75% of income. I'm unable to get a direction.
Ans: You are 49, with a stable dual-income family, home loan cleared, and some investments in place. You feel stagnated in your job and want to start something of your own. It’s a natural and valid thought at this life stage — but the decision needs to be planned, not impulsive.

At present, your financial base is decent but not fully liquid. You still have about ?45 lakh in liabilities, upcoming education costs for your children, and limited cash reserves. Your wife’s job and rental income can sustain household expenses, but not much beyond that.

The wise move is to continue your job while you explore your business or investment idea part-time. Use the next 18–24 months to:

Clear pending loans, especially the office property.

Build a minimum ?20–25 lakh emergency corpus.

Fund your children’s education separately.

Test and refine your business idea alongside your job.

Before quitting, also discuss openly with your spouse whether she is comfortable with you stepping away from a steady income. Her emotional and financial comfort will determine how smooth your transition is.

In short:
Keep your job, continue your startup or investing interest part-time, strengthen your finances, and plan a structured exit once liabilities are cleared. Freedom feels best when it’s backed by security, not uncertainty.

Contingency buffer and health insurance details:
For detailed financial planning and portfolio reconstruction, please connect with a Qualified Personal Finance Professional (QPFP).

Disclaimer / Guidance:
The above analysis is generic in nature and based on limited data shared. For accurate projections — including inflation, tax implications, pension structure, and education cost escalation — it is strongly advised to consult a qualified QPFP/CFP or Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD). They can help prepare a comprehensive retirement and goal-based cash flow plan tailored to your unique situation.
Financial planning is not only about returns; it’s about ensuring peace of mind and aligning your money with life goals. A professional planner can help you design a safe, efficient, and realistic roadmap toward your ideal retirement.

Best regards,
Naveenn Kummar, BE, MBA, QPFP
Chief Financial Planner | AMFI Registered MFD
https://members.networkfp.com/member/naveenkumarreddy-vadula-chennai

...Read more

Dr Karan

Dr Karan Gupta  |328 Answers  |Ask -

International Education Counsellor - Answered on Nov 10, 2025

Career
Hello. I am currently a student in Amity Noida with a 100 percent scholarship in BTECH BIOTECHNOLOGY course. I have been alloted ICAR-IVRI izatnagar, Bareilly for the same course. The fees is not a problem anyway. My ultimate goal is to go abroad for foreign studies and work. I already have spent 2 months in AMITY and have started adapting to the atmosphere, the study, the people and my hobbies. I live in Delhi. I will have to shift to Bareilly for IVRI, which will take me time to adjust with, being away from close people and it will temporarily take a toll on my gym training. I wanted to ask if going to amity or IVRI matter when I am applying abroad? Will being in Amity Noida, detoriate my chances of going abroad? Should I let go the chance of IVRI or will I regret it heavily? Is staying in Amity fine or should I go to IVRI for the name? The course alloted in IVRI is also Btech Biotechnology. A response would be truly appreciated.
Ans: Both Amity Noida and ICAR-IVRI offer BTech Biotechnology, so academically you’ll be fine either way. For studying abroad, admissions focus more on your grades, projects, research, and profile than the exact college name. Since you’ve already started settling in at Amity and it’s close to home, staying there won’t hurt your future plans. IVRI has a strong reputation, but moving and adjusting could temporarily affect your well-being and routines. If comfort, stability, and continued growth matter to you now, staying at Amity is perfectly reasonable—you won’t be at a disadvantage for abroad opportunities.

...Read more

Dr Karan

Dr Karan Gupta  |328 Answers  |Ask -

International Education Counsellor - Answered on Nov 10, 2025

Career
Hello. I am currently a student in Amity Noida with a 100 percent scholarship in BTECH BIOTECHNOLOGY course. I have been alloted ICAR-IVRI izatnagar, Bareilly for the same course. The fees is not a problem anyway. My ultimate goal is to go abroad for foreign studies and work. I already have spent 2 months in AMITY and have started adapting to the atmosphere, the study, the people and my hobbies. I live in Delhi. I will have to shift to Bareilly for IVRI, which will take me time to adjust with, being away from close people and it will temporarily take a toll on my gym training. I wanted to ask if going to amity or IVRI matter when I am applying abroad? Will being in Amity Noida, detoriate my chances of going abroad? Should I let go the chance of IVRI or will I regret it heavily? Is staying in Amity fine or should I go to IVRI for the name? The course alloted in IVRI is also Btech Biotechnology. A response would be truly appreciated.
Ans: Both Amity Noida and ICAR-IVRI offer BTech Biotechnology, so academically you’ll be fine either way. For studying abroad, admissions focus more on your grades, projects, research, and profile than the exact college name. Since you’ve already started settling in at Amity and it’s close to home, staying there won’t hurt your future plans. IVRI has a strong reputation, but moving and adjusting could temporarily affect your well-being and routines. If comfort, stability, and continued growth matter to you now, staying at Amity is perfectly reasonable—you won’t be at a disadvantage for abroad opportunities.

...Read more

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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