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Rental Income for Life or Sell? 42-Year-Old Seeks Advice on Investment and Health Insurance

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 03, 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
Hrishikesh Question by Hrishikesh on Dec 03, 2024Hindi
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Thanks a lot for detailed explanation. Just missed one info, all inclusive my monthly expenses are around 1 Lakhs for now . Considering my 2 rental yielding flats are 15 and 8 year old do you think i can rely on rental income of these for full life or better to sell both or atleast one of them and liquidate for better handling my regular expenses ? Also i have one health insurance covering 6L can you suggest a better super top up plan which can over 25Lakhs of medical .

Ans: Relying solely on rental income from older flats can be risky due to maintenance, vacancy, or location-related issues. Selling one or both flats and reinvesting the proceeds in mutual funds can provide better liquidity, diversification, and tax-efficient growth. Mutual funds with a balanced portfolio of equity and debt can generate steady SWP income, meeting your regular expenses while preserving capital.

For health coverage, consider a super top-up plan offering Rs 25 lakhs with a reasonable deductible, ensuring affordability and comprehensive protection against medical inflation. This ensures financial safety during unexpected health emergencies.

Best Regards,

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

Milind Vadjikar  | Answer  |Ask -

Insurance, Stocks, MF, PF Expert - Answered on Nov 11, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 11, 2024Hindi
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Hello, My current assets are: - Around 1.5 CR in Equity Mutual Fund managed by Anand Rathi - 50 L in Market Link Debentures, managed by Anand Rathi - 45 L in Equity Shares, - 40L PPF investment between my wife and daughter, - 20L of ESOP (Employee stock options) - 58L of Employee Provident Fund - Cash Savings of around 5-7 L for emergency needs - I stay in my own flat with nearly (1 Cr worth) - I have another flat (1 Cr worth) which is given on rental. Liabilities: - No Liabilities. Insurance Coverage: - Have a term insurance of around 2 Cr. Premium of 35k per annum as of today. - Health insurance (floating) for the family for 50L. Premium of around 65k per annum as of today. - I plan to continue with the health insurance and close the term insurance in next 5 years. Expenditure: - My monthly expense is around max of 80k to 1 Lakh. - Future Expenses include my daughter’s marriage for which I expect an expense around 80L to 1 Cr. - I do plan to make some foreign family trip (maybe twice or thrice in next 10 years), which I assume will cost me around 15-20 Lakhs per trip. Future income: - I receive nearly 25k rental income from one of my properties (which would be worth around 1 CR). This I expect to continue with standard rental increments year on year. - Expect some recurring pension of 40k per month from 2034 onwards from one of the LIC policy scheme till the age of 100. - I also expect to receive around 30L from some of my LIC policy maturity. (12.5L in the year 2027, 2.5L in 2026, 3.5L in 2029, 13.5L in 2034) - I do plan to become a full-time trader in future and do expect, that I will be able to generate some regular income from that. However, do not want to plan my retirement (from primary job) decision based on that. I am currently 49 Years old and draw nearly 4.5L as a monthly income; can you suggest if I can retire from my primary job in next 2-3 months.
Ans: Hello;

Your current portfolio is:
1. MFs-1.5 Cr
2. MLDs-0.5 Cr
3. Equity- 0.45 Cr
5. PPF-0.4 Cr
6. ESOP-0.2 Cr
7. EPF-0.58 Cr
Grand Total -3.63 Cr
Minus 1 Cr for wedding goal-2.63 Cr
Minus 0.6 Cr for foreign trip goal-2.00 Cr

If you buy an immediate annuity from a life insurance company for your Net corpus of 2 Cr then you may expect monthly income of around 85 K(post-tax).

You may select option of joint annuity for yourself and spouse for life with return of purchase price to your nominee.

Add to this your rental income of 25K so your net monthly income will be 1.10 L per month now.

The LIC policy maturity proceeds may be used to top-up your annuity corpus for protecting against inflation.

Further the LIC pension(40 K) slated to begin from 2034 will be a booster for your retirement income.

The emergency fund (7 L)is not considered here and should be preferably kept untouched.

The best part which I liked about your financial planning, apart from meticulous investments, is the adequate term and healthcare insurance cover.

However do not carry any myths about being able to generate a regular income from trading.

Sebi data points towards a a very low percentage of individual traders being able to make real profit.

This is reenforced by data released by other reliable agencies.

If at all you still want to pursue it take proper coaching from reputed agencies, do some mock trading assignments to test how your strategies pan out and only then venture out for trading with clearly defined risk capital, properly ring fenced from your other assets and incomes.

Last important point, strictly NO borrowing for trading.

Happy Investing;

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 07, 2024Hindi
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Hello Sir, I have total net worth of 3.5 crores., breakup is my flat 80 laks realestate 50 laks rest all in liquid FD Bank RD equities MF etc. I have tow kids study king 11th and 4th ...Health insurance term plan is there but Life insurance is only 15 laks ... Can i retiere and how can i survive ob this funds and take care of my kids education as well..
Ans: Your net worth of Rs 3.5 crores is significant. Let’s assess your financial readiness and strategy for retirement.

Asset Allocation Analysis
Your primary residence is worth Rs 80 lakhs.
Real estate investments add Rs 50 lakhs to your portfolio.
Liquid investments include FDs, RDs, equities, and mutual funds.
Insights:

Real estate lacks liquidity and should not be relied on for regular expenses.
Liquid assets are crucial for sustaining retirement and funding children’s education.
Health Insurance and Term Plan Assessment
You already have health insurance and a term plan.
Life insurance coverage of Rs 15 lakhs is insufficient for your dependents.
Suggestions:

Enhance your term plan to at least 10–15 times your annual expenses.
Ensure your health insurance includes adequate family floater coverage.
Children’s Education Funding
Your elder child is in 11th standard, and expenses for higher education are near.
Your younger child in 4th standard will need long-term planning.
Action Plan:

Set aside dedicated funds for both children’s education.
Use liquid or debt funds for your elder child’s education.
Use balanced funds or equity-based investments for the younger child’s needs.
Retirement Corpus Assessment
Your total corpus, excluding real estate, needs detailed assessment.
Calculate annual living expenses post-retirement, including inflation.
Planning Suggestions:

Ensure your corpus is large enough to generate inflation-adjusted monthly income.
Keep emergency funds in liquid assets to cover six months of expenses.
Investing for Long-Term Stability
Avoid direct investments unless you can monitor markets regularly.
Opt for regular funds through a Certified Financial Planner for professional management.
Actively managed funds offer better scope for wealth creation compared to index funds.
Tax-Efficient Withdrawal Planning
Gains from equity mutual funds above Rs 1.25 lakh attract 12.5% tax.
Debt fund gains are taxed as per your income slab.
Suggestions:

Plan withdrawals to minimise tax outflow.
Use systematic withdrawal plans for a steady income.
Should You Retire Now?
Retirement is possible if your corpus covers living and education expenses.
Evaluate income from current investments and potential monthly expenses.
Key Considerations:

Delay retirement if your corpus falls short.
Continue earning to strengthen your retirement fund.
Action Plan for Financial Security
Increase life insurance coverage to secure your children’s future.
Reassess your asset allocation for higher liquidity.
Create a retirement income strategy with debt and balanced funds.
Build an emergency fund before you stop working.
Surrender LIC or ULIP Policies If Any
LIC or ULIP policies often provide sub-optimal returns.
Surrender such policies and reinvest in mutual funds or other suitable instruments.
Emergency and Contingency Planning
Keep 6–12 months’ expenses in highly liquid funds.
This ensures financial stability during unforeseen circumstances.
Steps to Optimise Investments
Diversify investments across equity, debt, and liquid funds.
Regularly review the portfolio to match your goals and risk tolerance.
Avoid real estate for additional investment due to low liquidity.
Finally
Retirement is achievable with proper financial planning and disciplined execution. Secure your children’s education with dedicated funds. Strengthen your health and life insurance coverage. Partner with a Certified Financial Planner to ensure a stable and stress-free retirement.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 10, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 29, 2025Hindi
Money
I am 32 years old having in hand salary of 1.8 lakhs per annum. I have bought properties which now has current valuation as below Plot with valuation of 50 lakhs. Flat A of 1.2CR (18 lakhs loan with EMI of 20k per month, 8 years emi pending. I plan to prepay the loan in next 2 years. Will stay in this from next year so rental expense would go off. Flat B of 75 lakhs (6 lakhs of loan with emi of 8k) for 9 years. Total amount is not laid yet since it is construction linked plan. This will give a rental of 45k from 2029. Wife earns 1.2 lakhs per annum and helps in above property support as well. My expenses.. 30k rent. Will go off next year. 25k emi against both flats 30k household expenses. I save 1 lakh per month (my savings and 1.2 lakhs wife savings per month ) and utilize it for further flat payments against demand. Currently 3 lakhs in savings account, since we sold MFs recently for payment rather than loan. Current SIP of 15k per month with step up of 10% per annum and sell as per need to avoid loans. Sukanya yojna for my daughter of 1.5 lakhs per annum 2 instalments paid. Life insurance with current valuation of 20 lakhs(all premiums paid), wife has same policy with same figures and valuation(50k policy to be paid for 8 more years). Corporate medical insurance of 15 lakhs family floater. Plz suggest to ensure some income from MFs and PPf or epfo which i can utilize to have good future returns. Who can be a good advisor for market related returns be it MFs or Shares? Target is 1.2 -1.5 lakhs per month after i turn 45+.
Ans: ? Current Financial Snapshot
– You have four years until EMI-free home ownership.
– Monthly net savings combined is Rs.?1 lakh.
– Emergency buffer is only Rs.?3 lakh currently.
– SIP allocation is Rs.?15,000 per month.
– Sukanya Yojna and life insurance are in place.
– Corporate health cover is adequate.

You are disciplined in repayments and saving habits.

? Emergency Fund Bolstering
– Current buffer is just about one month’s expenses.
– You should build at least six months’ worth.
– Aim for Rs.?6–7 lakh in a liquid fund.
– This protects you during payment or rental delays.
– Keep it separate from investment-driven balances.

A strong cushion prevents loan disruption or panic generators.

? Property Loan Strategy
– EMI of Rs.?28,000 monthly is moderate.
– Focus on prepayment over two years as planned.
– Avoid overuse of emergency buffer for this.
– Keep some cash cushion to handle surprises.
– Once paid, redirect EMI to savings or investments.

Loan-free status will improve your cash flow and mental ease.

? Rental Income Planning
– Flat B will generate Rs.?45,000 monthly from 2029.
– Renting over next year is unnecessary if you move.
– Early lesser cash flow period should be planned.
– Use increased income then for investments.
– Don’t rely only on property for income strategy.

Diversified income creates a more stable financial foundation.

? Insurance Continuous Coverage
– Your term life cover totals Rs.?40 lakh combined.
– Increase this to Rs.?1 crore as EMI ends and responsibilities grow.
– Sukanya Yojna is good, but consider adding education goal funds via SIPs.
– Health cover is adequate; review post-pregnancy and child expansion.
– Keep insurance separate from investments always.

Protection must evolve with growing family liabilities.

? Investment Planning with SIPs
– Continue monthly Rs.?15k SIP and step up annually.
– Once loans clear, increase SIP significantly using EMI surplus.
– Add at least Rs.?20-25k towards equity at that stage.
– All equity investments should be in actively managed funds.
– Avoid index funds—they lack downside control.
– Always choose regular plans via CFP-backed MFD.

Expert management adds discipline and avoids emotional missteps.

? Asset Allocation Strategy
– Current mix is heavily skewed to debt and property.
– Aim for 60% equity, 20% hybrid/debt, 10% gold, and 10% liquid.
– Once EMI ends, start moving toward this target mix.
– Monthly review with a CFP will keep this on track.
– Rebalance annually to maintain the coverage ratio.

Balanced allocation reduces volatility and secures long-term growth.

? Building Corpus for Age 45+ Goals
– You aim to generate Rs.?1.2-1.5 lakh monthly post-45.
– That implies a liquid corpus of Rs.?3–4 crore, assuming 4–5% withdrawal rate.
– Starting from current savings and loan-free status by 34–35, this is possible.
– Increase SIPs post-loan payment to accelerate corpus.
– Include EPF, PPF, Sukanya, and children’s funds in your retirement view.

Structured build-up makes ambitious income goals realistic.

? PPF and EPF/EPFO Strategy
– You did not mention EPF—if available, continue contributions.
– PPF investments of annual Rs.?1.5 lakh could significantly boost corpus.
– Both are long-term, low-risk and fit retirement planning models.
– These investment avenues should grow alongside your equity SIP.
– Discipline in both equity and safe instruments gives balance.

Leveraging guaranteed returns builds discipline and counter-balances market volatility.

? Child Education Fund Planning
– Son’s Rs.?3 lakh corpus covers early education stage.
– Expand corpus via dedicated SIPs for long-term education goals.
– Use hybrid or growth equity funds for 10+ year horizon.
– Daughter’s corpus is just starting. Begin early SIPs for her education too.
– Sukanya Yojna helps but isn’t sufficient alone.

Separate education funds avoid mixing them with retirement and liquidity goals.

? Emerging Income from Mutual Funds
– Post age 45, use SWP from mutual funds for passive income.
– Build hybrid or dividend-yield equity funds for this purpose.
– Keep a part of portfolio in liquid funds for immediate needs.
– Ensure SWP rate is sustainable (around 4–5% annually).
– This approach delays selling equity in down phases.

SWP gives pension-like income while allowing capital to grow.

? Trusted Advisor for Market Returns
– Seek a Certified Financial Planner for fund selection and review.
– Agile responses and timely switches need expert input.
– Avoid self-selection or index funds without guidance.
– An MFD-backed regular plan provides ongoing counsel.
– Choose someone with fee transparency and fiduciary mindset.

Expert guidance matters more than random chat or market guessing sites.

? Tax Optimization for Long-Term Returns
– Equity LTCG beyond Rs.?1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.
– STCG on equity is taxed at 20%.
– Debt funds are taxed as per your slab.
– EPF, PPF gains are tax-exempt.
– Plan exit strategy to minimise tax burden.

Smart planning retains more of your earned returns.

? Regular Progress Reviews
– Meet your Certified Financial Planner yearly.
– Review loans, corpus target, asset mix, and insurance.
– Check performance against retirement timeline.
– Step up investments or delay goals if needed.
– Rebalance asset allocation based on progress.

Annual check-ins keep your progress steady and purposeful.

? Lifestyle and Spending Discipline
– After loan clearance, avoid lifestyle inflation.
– Channel that extra cash into savings or goals.
– Keep household expense growth under 5% annually.
– Share financial decisions with wife for transparency.
– Small disciplined actions build lifelong habit.

Consistency beats occasional windfalls in financial outcomes.

? Passive Income Beyond Corpus
– Explore freelance income or digital content creation.
– It could yield extra income with minimal time.
– Rental from flat B will add Rs.?45k per month from 2029.
– Passive income complements mutual fund returns.
– This builds freedom and retirement resilience.

Multiple income sources strengthen financial security and freedom.

? Estate Planning and Documentation
– Nominate your spouse and children on all accounts.
– Prepare a will reflecting properties and investments.
– Include guardianship nomination for minors.
– Keep documents updated and accessible to spouse.
– Digital records ensure smooth transitions.

Clarity now saves complexity and confusion for family later.

? Final Insights
– You are on a strong repayment and savings journey.
– Loan pay-off in 2 years will free substantial cash flow.
– Equity SIPs must increase significantly then.
– Aim for 60% equity, balance across other classes.
– Build education corpus for kids systematically.
– Use SWP after age 45 for steady income.
– Seek guidance from Certified Financial Planner for fund management.
– Stay disciplined, review yearly, avoid speculation.
– With this, your Rs.?1.2–1.5 lakh monthly income goal post-45 is achievable.

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

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jul 09, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 09, 2025Hindi
Money
Hello sir, I am 45 years of age and I am currently out of job. I hv 2 daughters one in 1st yr engineering and the other in 8th grade. Following are the details of my investment/income. Please suggest if I still need to continue to work to manage my monthly expenses. I Have 1 residence generating an income of 35k 1 commercial property income of 10k 1 plot worth 90 lakhs Pf 25 lakhs Sip 13 lakhs (will continue for the next 5 yrs monthly paying amount is 15k) FD 10 lakhs Gold for self and both daughters. Health insurance for 20L. Please suggest if I still need to work or can manage my living for the next 30years with the current income. Also kindly consider factors of children education and marriage.
Ans: You are 45 years old, with two daughters. One is in first-year engineering and one in eighth grade. You are currently out of job. You have created wealth thoughtfully across real estate, mutual funds, PF, FD, and gold. Let’s now assess if you can live comfortably without work, and still manage your daughters’ education, marriage, and your own future.

Let us plan a detailed 360-degree financial review to help you with clear direction.

Current Regular Income Sources

Rental from residence: Rs. 35,000

Rental from commercial property: Rs. 10,000

Total rental income monthly: Rs. 45,000

Annual income from properties: Rs. 5.4 lakhs

This income can support a basic lifestyle. But we must plan carefully for large future expenses.

Please note:

Rental income does not increase fast. But expenses do.

Maintenance, tax, and vacancy risks must be considered.

Relying on rental income alone for the next 30 years may not be safe.

Financial Assets and Their Roles

Provident Fund (PF): Rs. 25 lakhs

This is a retirement fund. Avoid using this now.

Let it grow till age 55 to 60.

You may consider partial withdrawal for daughter’s higher education or marriage, only if needed.

Fixed Deposit (FD): Rs. 10 lakhs

Ideal for emergency and 2 to 3 years expenses.

Do not break it unless truly required.

Use only interest from FD for small short-term needs.

SIP value: Rs. 13 lakhs, ongoing Rs. 15,000 monthly

This is your growth capital.

Continue SIP for at least 5 years.

Equity mutual funds offer better long-term growth.

Do not stop SIP unless there is no alternate income.

These funds will help in child education and retirement later.

Gold: For self and daughters

Treat gold as reserve, not primary investment.

Do not sell unless for marriage purpose.

Gold does not beat inflation well.

Avoid adding more to gold in future.

Plot worth Rs. 90 lakhs

This is a big capital.

It does not give monthly income.

It is better to plan its sale in 4 to 6 years.

Use money for your retirement corpus and your daughters’ goals.

Keep documents updated for easy sale when needed.

Please don’t consider the plot as active income source. It is capital that may help later.

Monthly Spending and Lifestyle Assessment

You didn’t mention monthly expense. Let us assume Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 60,000.

This includes:

Household and groceries

Utility bills and travel

Daughters’ school or college fees

Insurance premium

Clothing, functions, gifts, and personal care

If your monthly expense is Rs. 60,000 and income is Rs. 45,000, you need Rs. 15,000 more every month. That is now supported by SIP. But SIP is not a source of income.

Withdrawals from mutual funds should happen only after 5 to 7 years.

Till then, you must either reduce expense or find other cash flow.

Children’s Education and Marriage Planning

This is the most critical goal now. Let us split the goals:

Elder daughter – Engineering degree

Duration left: 3 more years

Likely need: Rs. 10 lakhs to Rs. 15 lakhs

Consider funding via FD interest, rental, and SIP maturity

Use PF only if needed for final year or post-grad

Younger daughter – School and later college

Duration left: 8 to 10 years

Plan SIP increase after 3 years when elder daughter completes college

You can also use plot sale later for her graduation or wedding

Marriage Planning – Both daughters

Likely in 10 to 15 years

Needs Rs. 25 lakhs to Rs. 35 lakhs or more

Don’t use rental income for this goal

Use plot proceeds, matured mutual funds, or PF part for this

If gold is for marriage, don’t count it in investment totals

You must keep education and marriage funds separate.

Can You Retire Now or Not?

Here is the reality in simple points:

You are 45 years old

Life expectancy could be 85 or more

That means 40 more years to plan

Rental income may be stable for 10 to 15 years only

Inflation will increase your expense every 5 years

Health care and daughter’s needs will grow

You cannot retire fully today with current income. Here’s why:

Rs. 45,000 monthly is not enough for 30 years lifestyle

Your rental income may not grow, but expenses will

Your capital (FD, PF, MF) must grow untouched for 10 years

You can reduce working hours or take part-time or freelance work. But stopping all work is risky. You need some income support for next 5 to 7 years.

How Long Will Your Wealth Last Without Work?

Let us assume:

Rental income stays flat

FD and SIP are withdrawn slowly

Plot sale happens after 5 to 7 years

You live till 85 years

If you stop working now:

You will depend on rental and slowly withdraw capital

This capital will not grow much after 10 years

Health care costs after 60 will rise sharply

Marriage of daughters needs bulk amount

So, your corpus will finish by age 65 to 70 unless planned carefully.

Action Plan for You – 360 Degree Steps

1. Review Monthly Budget

Keep monthly expenses under Rs. 55,000

Cut extra subscriptions, travels, gadgets, impulse buying

Take cost-effective health and education decisions

2. Continue SIP of Rs. 15,000

Let it run for 5 more years

Increase SIP later after elder daughter’s graduation

Do not withdraw early

3. Keep FD for next 2 years

Use FD only if rental is delayed or medical emergency

Avoid breaking full FD for lifestyle costs

4. Do Not Add New Real Estate

Plot value is locked. It gives no return

Avoid investing in more properties

Do not treat real estate as safe investment

5. Keep Health Insurance Active

Rs. 20 lakhs is good

Review policy terms every 2 years

Upgrade cover if needed after age 55

6. Plan Plot Sale After 5 Years

After both daughters’ education is over

Use part for retirement fund, part for marriage

Keep capital gain rules in mind

7. Retirement Planning Starts at 50

You must have Rs. 1 crore by age 55

Use mutual funds for building corpus

Keep PF untouched till final 5 years

8. Consider Freelance or Flexible Work

Any extra Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000 monthly helps

It reduces stress on investments

You may work part-time till age 55 comfortably

Final Insights

You have created solid assets. That is a big strength

Rental income covers some lifestyle needs now

But it won’t be enough for next 30 years

SIP and PF must stay untouched for next 5 to 10 years

FD is only for emergencies and short needs

Daughter’s education needs active planning for next 3 to 5 years

Marriage goals can be met with gold and plot sale later

You must either continue part-time work or reduce expenses

Avoid real estate reinvestment or early withdrawal from SIP

Do regular review with a Certified Financial Planner

Structure SIPs as per education and marriage timelines

You can slowly retire, but not stop earning suddenly

Keep your focus on asset protection and wealth growth for next decade

A little work now will bring big peace in future.

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

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Reetika

Reetika Sharma  |417 Answers  |Ask -

Financial Planner, MF and Insurance Expert - Answered on Oct 12, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Oct 04, 2025Hindi
Money
I am 43, with family income of 3.5L/month and expenses close to 1.1L/month. I am debt free and i have 7 yrs old daughter. I have 10L health insurance for my family (corporate insurance) but dont have personal health insurance.1Cr Term insurance. Investments: 83 L in Agriculture land with 24% ROI 62 L in with 36% ROI 1 L in Bajaj goal assure ulip of 1L/yr since 2018 for 15 yrs premium paying term and maturity in 20 yrs 2.5L/yr payment term Ulip started in 2024 for 10yr premium payment term in my wife’s name with maturity in 25 yrs 40L in MF invested 1+yr back (currently ~ +2.66% ROI) 40L in Stocks invested 1+ yr back (currently ~ - 35% ROI) 65L in Savings account As a family, we save around 25-30L every year after covering all our expenses I have a future expense of 20-25L within 6 months for my own flat interior and other house related expenses to be paid to the builder as corpus amount. I am currently residing on a rented property paying 20K monthly. Goals: (1) Need to purchase a 2bhk flat with budget around 60-70L in 5 yrs for my parents (2) 1.5 Cr corpus for my daughter within 10 yrs from now (3) Early retirement by 55-58 yrs with a corpus of minimum 10+ Cr Sir, please suggest how i am placed in achieving my goals and how i should act to achieve them more effectively.
Ans: Hi,

You are doing good by investing your money and not keeping it idle. Let us have a look in detail:
1. Emergency Fund - you need to have a dedicated emergency fund of 10 lakhs in liquid mutual funds. This will help you in uncertain times.
2. Need to have your own health insurance as you cannot solely rely on the corporate one. Plus you will require one post retirement and will not get that time. It is easy for you to get one now.
3. Land - good investment. Can hold for long term.
4. ULIPs - not recommended. These are very complex policies with very high hidden charges and commissions. Should avoid completely. Surrender one that that was started 7 yrs ago. And surrender another after 2 years. You will get better returns from mutual fund investment.
5. Direct stocks - 40 lakhs - very risky. Until and unless you have deep knowledge of fundamentals and technicals of stocks, it is not recommended to invest directly. If you want to try, do that with only 10 lakhs and not 40 lakhs.
6. Mutual Funds - good. continue but ROI is less. And the amount is big. Share fund details for me to help you better. Work with a proper advisor for help in mutual fund investment.
7. 65 lakhs in savings - big amount doing nothing. Shift 10 lakhs to liquid MF as emergency fund, keep 25 lakhs as FD for renovation and remaining in hybrid fund for your daughters education.
8. Education - Take 30 lakhs from savings account into hybrid funds and start SIP of 12.5 thousand per month with 10% stepup in equity oriented funds for her higher education. You will get 1.4 crores when she turns 17.
9. Start dedicated SIP for your retirement in aggressive and equity funds. Step-up SIP of 50k per month along with existing corpus in MF and stocks will give you 10 crores after 15 years - good for your retirement.
10. Start another SIP of 25000 per month for your parents home.

Also my sole advice for you would be to consult a professional Certified Financial Planner - a CFP who can guide you with exact funds to invest in keeping in mind your age, requirements, financial goals and risk profile.

Let me know if you need more help.

Best Regards,
Reetika Sharma, Certified Financial Planner
https://www.instagram.com/cfpreetika/

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Asked by Anonymous - Dec 08, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi i am 40M. would request your help to understand what should be the corpus required for retirement as i want to get retired in next 3-5yrs. currently my take home is 2.3L monthly & my wife also works but leaving the job in next 2-3 months. we have a daughter 10yrs, currently i stay on rent and total monthly expense is 1.1L month. once i will retire we will shift in our own parental flat, where hopefully there will be no rent. current Investments 1. 50L in REC bonds getting matured in 2029 2. 42L in stocks 3. 17L in MF 4. 16L FD 5. 15L in PPF 6. 1.3L SIP monthly i do My Wife Investments 1. 30L corpus 2. flat with current value 40L and we get rental of 10K monthly. Please guide what should be the retirement corpus required combined to retire, assuming i need 75L for my daughter post grad and marriage and we would be requiring 75K monthly for our expenses after retiring
Ans: You have explained your income, goals, current assets, and future plans with great clarity. Your early planning spirit is strong. This gives a very good base. You can reach a peaceful retirement with smart steps in the next few years.

» Your Current Position

You are 40 years old. You plan to retire in 3 to 5 years. You earn Rs 2.3 lakh per month. Your wife also works but will stop working soon. You have one daughter aged 10. Your current monthly cost is around Rs 1.1 lakh. This cost will reduce after retirement because you will shift to your parental flat.

Your investment base is already good. You have saved in bonds, stocks, mutual funds, PPF, FD, and SIP. Your wife also has her own savings and rental income from a flat. All these create a good starting point.

This early base helps you plan stronger. It also gives room for more shaping. You are on the right road.

» Your Family Goals

You need Rs 75 lakh for your daughter’s higher education and marriage.

You want Rs 75,000 per month for family living after retirement.

You want to retire in 3 to 5 years.

You will shift to your parental flat after retirement.

You will have rental income of Rs 10,000 from your wife’s flat.

These goals are clear. They give direction. They allow a strong plan.

» Your Present Investments

Your investments include:

Rs 50 lakh in REC bonds maturing in 2029.

Rs 42 lakh in stocks.

Rs 17 lakh in mutual funds.

Rs 16 lakh in fixed deposits.

Rs 15 lakh in PPF.

Rs 1.3 lakh as monthly SIP.

Your wife holds:

Rs 30 lakh corpus.

A flat worth Rs 40 lakh with rent of Rs 10,000 each month.

Your combined net worth is healthy. This gives good power to build your retirement fund in the coming years.

» Understanding Your Expense Need After Retirement

You expect Rs 75,000 per month after retirement. This includes all basic needs. You will not have rent. That reduces cost. This assumption looks fair today.

Your cost will rise with inflation. So you must plan for rising needs. A strong retirement corpus must support rising cost for 40 to 45 years because you are retiring early.

An early retirement needs a large buffer. So you need safety along with growth. Your plan must include growth assets and safety assets.

» How Much Monthly Income You Will Need Later

Rs 75,000 per month is Rs 9 lakh per year. In future years, this cost can rise. If we assume steady rise, your future cost will be much higher.

So the retirement corpus must be designed to:

Give monthly income.

Beat inflation.

Support you for 40 to 45 years.

Protect your family even in market down cycles.

Allow flexibility if your needs change.

A strong retirement fund must support both safety and long-term growth.

» How Much Corpus You Should Target

A safe target is a large and flexible corpus that can support long years without running out of money. For early retirement, the usual thumb rule suggests a very high number. This is because you need income for many decades.

You need a corpus big enough to produce rising income. You also need a cushion for unexpected health costs, lifestyle shocks, and inflation changes.

Your target retirement corpus should be in a strong range. For your needs of Rs 75,000 per month and for goals like daughter’s education and marriage, you should aim for a combined retirement readiness corpus in the higher bracket.

A safe range for your family would be a very large number crossing multiple crores. This large range gives you:

Income safety.

Inflation protection.

Peace during market cycles.

Comfort in long life.

Room for daughter’s future.

Strong backup for health.

You are already on the way due to your existing assets. You will reach close to this range with systematic building over the next 3 to 5 years.

» Why You Need This Larger Corpus

You will retire early. That means more years of living from your corpus. Your corpus must not fall early. It must grow even after retirement. It must give monthly income and long-term family protection.

This is only possible when the corpus is strong and well-structured. A weak corpus creates stress. A strong corpus creates freedom.

Also, your daughter’s future cost must be kept aside. This must be parked in a separate fund. This must not touch your retirement money.

A strong corpus makes these two worlds separate and safe.

» Your Existing Assets and Their Strength

You already have good diversification:

Bonds give safety.

Stocks give growth.

Mutual funds give managed growth.

FD gives stability.

PPF gives tax-free long-term savings.

This blend is already a good start. But you need to make the blend more structured for early retirement.

Your Rs 1.3 lakh monthly SIP is also strong. It builds your future fast. You should continue.

Your wife’s rental income is small but steady. This adds strength.

Your combined financial base can reach your retirement target if you refine your allocation now.

» Your Daughter’s Future Fund Need

You need Rs 75 lakh for your daughter’s education and marriage. You should keep this goal separate from your retirement goal.

Your current SIP and future allocations should create a dedicated fund for this goal. A long-term fund can grow well when managed actively.

Do not mix this fund with your retirement needs. Mixing leads to shortage in old age. Always keep this corpus ring-fenced.

» A Strong Asset Mix For Your Retirement Path

A balanced mix is needed. You need growth assets to beat inflation. You also need stable assets for income.

You must avoid index funds because they do not give flexibility. Index funds follow a fixed index. They cannot make active changes in different markets. They cannot move to better stocks when markets change. They force you to stay in weak sectors for long. They also do not help you in down cycles because they cannot protect you by shifting to safer options. This can hurt retirement planning.

Actively managed funds are better because:

They give active asset selection.

They give scope for better returns.

They give flexibility to change sectors.

They give downside management.

They give access to a skilled fund manager.

They support long-term planning more safely.

Direct plans also carry risk. Direct plans do not give guidance. They do not give behavioural support. They do not give market timing help. They do not give portfolio shaping. They leave all the judgement to you. One mistake can cost years of wealth.

Regular plans with guidance from a Certified Financial Planner help you shape decisions. They help you remain disciplined. They help you avoid panic. They help you decide allocation changes at the right time. This saves wealth in long-term.

» How Your Investment Journey Should Grow in the Next 3–5 Years

Continue your SIP.

Increase SIP when your income rises.

Shift part of your stock holding into planned long-term mutual funds to reduce concentration risk.

Build a defined daughter’s education fund.

Keep a part of your REC bond maturity amount for long-term.

Avoid locking too much into fixed deposits for long periods.

Build a safety fund for one year of expenses.

This will create a full structure.

» Your Rental Income Role

Your rental income of Rs 10,000 per month is small but steady. Over time it will rise. This income will support your monthly cash flow after retirement.

You can use this for utilities or health insurance premiums. This gives a cushion.

» Your Emergency Buffer

You should keep at least one year of essential cost in a safe place. This can be in a liquid account or short-term fund. This protects you in shocks.

Since you plan early retirement, a strong buffer is important. It gives peace even in low months.

» A Structured Retirement Approach

A complete retirement plan for you should include:

A clear monthly income plan after retirement.

A corpus that can grow and protect.

A rising income system that matches inflation.

A separate daughter’s future fund.

A health cover plan for your family.

A tax-efficient withdrawal plan.

A market cycle plan to protect you in tough times.

This holistic approach keeps your family strong for decades.

» What You Should Build by Retirement Year

Your aim should be to reach a strong multi-crore range in investments before retirement. You already hold a large amount. You will add more in the next 3 to 5 years through SIP, stock growth, bond maturity, and disciplined saving.

Once you reach your target range, you can start the shifting process:

Move a part to stable assets.

Keep a part in long-term growth assets.

Create a monthly income strategy.

Keep a reserve bucket.

Keep a child future bucket.

Keep a long-term growth bucket.

This structure protects you in all market conditions.

» Final Insights

Your financial journey is already strong. You have a good income. You have saved well. You have multiple asset types. You have a clear timeline. And you have clear goals. This foundation is solid.

In the next 3 to 5 years, your focus should be on growing your combined corpus to a strong multi-crore range, keeping a separate fund for your daughter, reducing risk in unplanned assets, and building a stable long-term structure.

With the present path and a disciplined structure, you can retire peacefully and support your family with confidence for many decades.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

...Read more

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Money
Hello my name is saket, I monthly salary is 43k and my saving is zero. My Rent is 15 k and 10 k i send to my parents. How can i save money and investments.
Ans: 1. Your Current Monthly Numbers

Salary: Rs 43,000

Rent: Rs 15,000

Support to parents: Rs 10,000

Left with: Rs 18,000 for food, travel, bills, and savings

You have very little room, but saving is still possible if done smartly.

2. First Step: Build a Small Emergency Buffer

You must build Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 emergency money.
This protects you from taking loans for small issues.

How to build it:

Save Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 every month in a simple bank savings account

Do this for the next few months

Don’t touch it unless truly needed

3. Create a Mini Budget (Very Simple One)

Try this split from the remaining Rs 18,000:

Daily living (food + transport): Rs 10,000 – 11,000

Personal expenses (phone, internet, basics): Rs 3,000 – 4,000

Savings + investments: Rs 3,000 – 5,000

If this feels difficult, reduce food/transport costs by small adjustments.

4. Where to Invest Once You Have Emergency Money

(For minors: This is general education. For actual investing, get guidance from a trusted adult or family member.)

After you build emergency money, start small monthly investing.

You can begin with:

Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 SIP in a simple, diversified equity fund

Increase the SIP whenever salary increases or expenses reduce

Avoid complicated products.
Keep it simple.
Focus on consistency.

5. Easy Practical Ways to Increase Saving

These small moves help a lot:

Avoid food delivery

Use public transport as much as possible

Reduce subscriptions you don’t use

Fix a daily expense limit

Keep a separate bank account only for savings

Even Rs 200 saved daily = Rs 6,000 monthly.

6. Increase Income Slowly

Try small income boosters:

Weekend tutoring

Freelancing

Part-time projects

Selling old gadgets

Learning new skills for future salary growth

Even Rs 3,000 extra income changes your savings life.

7. Build the Habit First

The amount doesn’t matter in the beginning.
The habit matters more.

Even saving Rs 500 every month is better than zero.
Once salary grows, you will already know how to save.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

...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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