what financial advice would you give to a single person of 55 years with not so good health and a corpus of 2.5 crores (real estate, share, mfs) and no liabilities except bad health and loneliness and nobody to help in case of illness

Ans: Since we were young, we have been told that health is wealth, and right now, prioritizing your health should be your top priority.

You also don’t have any liability or goals, which needs to be catered. Hence, your major expenses should be towards building up your physical health and well-being.

You can also be a part of social clubs where people like you get together to spend quality time by interacting with each other. The main aim is to take care of your health and lifestyle with other people of your age.

You can also engage a nurse who will take care of you on a daily basis to ensure that you receive good medical treatment and that your health is regularly monitored.

Last and most important, prepare a WILL to appoint a legal heir to transfer your assets in your absence. Your legal heir could be anyone, an individual, trust, NGO and others.

Ans: At 50, you have a significant responsibility as a widow with two children in college.

You have a home, which provides security and stability, and savings of Rs 15 lakh, two LIC policies, and some gold.

Your income is Rs 40,000 per month from contract work in healthcare.

Given your position, here’s a comprehensive financial guide to support your goals and build security for you and your children’s future.

Build an Emergency Fund

Setting up an emergency fund is a priority to cover any unforeseen expenses.

This should equal 6–12 months of essential expenses, ensuring you have a cushion if you face job uncertainties.

Consider liquid funds for this purpose, as they offer easy access and moderate returns.

Review Existing LIC Policies

You currently hold LIC policies of Rs 10 lakh and Rs 8 lakh.

Insurance policies are traditionally low in returns, especially if they are investment-oriented.

To maximize returns, consider surrendering these and reinvesting in mutual funds, if they don’t have significant penalties or surrender charges.

Reinvesting these into well-chosen, actively managed mutual funds could yield better growth, helping meet your financial needs more effectively.

Optimise Savings for Growth

To make the most of your Rs 15 lakh savings, consider dividing the amount into various investment avenues.

Fixed Deposits (FDs) are safe but have limited growth potential. A mix of debt and equity mutual funds can offer better returns.

Debt funds are ideal for stable growth, while balanced equity funds offer a moderate risk-return balance.

Mutual Fund Investments

Since you’re looking for long-term growth, actively managed mutual funds could be a suitable choice.

Actively managed funds allow for expert supervision, adjusting investments to optimize returns based on market trends.

It’s beneficial to consult with a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) for guidance on selecting these funds, which will help in growing wealth over time.

Avoid Direct Mutual Funds

Direct funds may seem economical due to lower expense ratios, but managing them independently requires expertise.

A regular plan, managed through a CFP, includes advisory services that can help you make informed decisions and adjust to market changes.

This assistance can be invaluable, especially for someone managing various responsibilities alone.

Disadvantages of Index Funds

Index funds may sound attractive due to lower costs and simplicity, but they have limitations.

These funds mirror the index and can’t respond to market fluctuations effectively. This could lead to lower returns compared to actively managed funds.

Actively managed funds, by contrast, adjust their portfolios to aim for better returns, which can benefit you in the long term.

Allocate for Children’s Education

Both of your children are in graduation, so education expenses will continue for a few more years.

It’s wise to set aside funds specifically for this purpose, perhaps in a debt mutual fund for safer returns.

Debt funds offer stable growth and can be easily liquidated as education expenses arise.

Retirement Planning

With no retirement fund mentioned, it’s crucial to establish one now.

Since you may not have a regular pension or provident fund as a contract worker, you’ll need to rely on personal investments for post-retirement income.

Setting up a systematic investment in a balanced equity fund is a wise way to build a corpus over the next few years.

Generate Passive Income through SWP

A Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) in mutual funds can provide a steady monthly income while preserving your capital.

With an SWP, you can withdraw a fixed amount every month, which can supplement your income post-retirement.

It allows the remaining investment to continue growing, giving you both income and potential growth.

Gold as a Backup

Gold is a valuable asset in your portfolio, especially in uncertain economic times.

It can be used as a last-resort backup if you face financial strain, or you may consider pledging it for a low-interest loan in emergencies.

Retaining gold as part of your net worth also adds security, as it’s generally stable and can hedge against inflation.

Tax Implications

As your income and investments grow, being aware of tax liabilities will be beneficial.

Earnings from mutual funds are taxable. Gains above Rs 1.25 lakh on equity funds are taxed at 12.5% as LTCG, while STCG is taxed at 20%. Debt funds are taxed as per your income slab.

A CFP can assist in devising a tax-efficient investment plan to maximize your take-home returns.

Insurance and Health Cover

Since you’re in healthcare, consider a personal health policy that offers ample coverage for you and your children.

Health issues or medical emergencies can have significant financial implications, so an adequate health policy will provide security.

Make sure the coverage amount is sufficient, especially as medical costs are continually rising.

Finally

Balancing current needs with future security is essential.

This guidance provides a rounded approach to managing your finances, aiming for security, growth, and stability.

Regular reviews of your financial plan, ideally with a Certified Financial Planner, will help you stay on track and make adjustments as necessary.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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