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Confused about choosing the best single annuity plan in India? Here's your guide.

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Sep 23, 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
Bela Question by Bela on Sep 23, 2024Hindi
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Which is the best single annuity plan in India

Ans: A single annuity plan is designed to provide regular income after retirement by making a one-time lump sum payment. While annuities are often marketed for guaranteed returns and retirement security, they come with certain drawbacks in terms of flexibility, inflation protection, and overall returns.

Instead of recommending a specific annuity plan, it’s important to consider a better alternative: the Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP). This approach often provides more flexibility, higher potential returns, and better tax efficiency than traditional annuities.

Drawbacks of Single Annuity Plans
Before jumping into alternatives, it's crucial to understand the limitations of single annuity plans:

Lack of Flexibility: Once you lock in the annuity, it’s difficult to access your funds or make changes to the plan.

Lower Returns: Annuity plans generally offer fixed returns that are not inflation-adjusted, meaning your purchasing power reduces over time.

Taxation: The entire annuity payout is taxable as income, reducing your overall returns after taxes.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) – A Better Alternative
A Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) allows you to systematically withdraw a fixed amount from a mutual fund investment at regular intervals, which can work like an annuity but with several benefits.

Advantages of SWP over Annuities
Flexibility: You can adjust your withdrawals, reinvest, or redeem your funds anytime.

Better Returns: Since you remain invested in mutual funds, you can benefit from both capital appreciation and dividends over time. Equity and debt mutual funds generally outperform annuities in the long term.

Tax Efficiency: In an SWP, you only pay capital gains tax on the gains made from the withdrawn amount, not on the entire withdrawal. The longer you hold the investment, the better the tax efficiency becomes due to long-term capital gains tax benefits.

Inflation Protection: Mutual funds, especially equity-based ones, have the potential to provide inflation-adjusted returns, ensuring your purchasing power isn’t eroded over time.

How SWP Works
Lump Sum Investment: You invest a large sum in a mutual fund (either equity or debt, based on your risk tolerance).

Regular Withdrawals: You set a fixed withdrawal amount (monthly or quarterly) just like you would receive in an annuity plan.

Growth Continues: The rest of the invested corpus continues to grow, providing potential for higher returns compared to an annuity.

Why Choose SWP?
Customisable: You can choose how much to withdraw, when to withdraw, and adjust the withdrawals depending on your needs.

Diversified Investment: SWPs can be linked to a diversified mutual fund portfolio, providing more growth potential than fixed annuity plans.

No Lock-In: Unlike annuity plans, SWPs don’t lock in your money for life. You retain control of your investments.

Final Insights
Rather than opting for a single annuity plan, consider investing in a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP), which provides regular income with more flexibility, better tax efficiency, and potentially higher returns. You retain control of your investments and can adapt to changing financial needs, unlike the rigidity of an annuity.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holistic_investment_planners/
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  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

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

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Resp. Sir, Thank you so much for the reply. actually I invested in ICICI Pru Guaranteed Income For Tomorrow Plan for fix income without any worry. I will get 1st Payout in sep.2038 at the age of 70 and last at the age of 94. I am 56 now and in pvt job. I am single and have no liability. I have invested in Mutual funds also ( diversified across the market cap). But I have no Insurance of anytype. coz sometime market do not give return for 2-3 years ( sometime negative return also). Hence, I thought a source of fix income should also be there irrespective of market condition. additonally who knows the rate of annuity by 2038 whether it will be 6 % or 5% or 4%. Investing in ICICI ( GIFT) is giving me @ 6+% upto the age of 95. If I calculate SIP at moderate return of 10-12% ( pessimistic) that will give me a corpus between 1.2.to 1.3 Cr. I will get @ 6+% annually fix income out of this ( from ICICI) without any worry. and 66 Lakh return . Market returns are not gurenteed. Hence, that was the thought process behind purchasing ICICI ( GIFT). Now I am feeling greedy. that's why I posted this query on public platform.
Ans: Your thinking behind the ICICI GIFT plan shows a good focus on guaranteed income, especially since it offers stability irrespective of market fluctuations. However, with a rate around 6%, the return is modest, especially considering inflation over the years. While it does provide a secure, fixed income, this rate may limit long-term purchasing power.

Since you already have a diversified mutual fund portfolio, a balanced strategy might involve shifting some of your commitment from fixed-return plans to higher-yield instruments over time. This way, you gain more flexibility and potential for growth while still preserving part of your income security.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

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

Money
Sir,which mutal fund scheme is best
Ans: Choosing the right mutual fund depends on your goals, risk appetite, and investment horizon. Instead of pointing out one-size-fits-all schemes, it is better to analyze the broader aspects that can guide you toward the right decision.

Let’s explore how you can approach this effectively.

Define Your Investment Goals
Your financial goals set the foundation for choosing a mutual fund.
Decide if your goal is for wealth creation, retirement, or child’s education.
Match the type of mutual fund with your specific goal.
Understand Your Risk Tolerance
Analyze your ability to handle market volatility.
If you can accept higher risks, equity funds could work well.
For moderate risks, consider balanced or hybrid funds.
If you prefer lower risks, explore debt-oriented mutual funds.
Evaluate the Investment Horizon
The duration you plan to stay invested is crucial.
Equity mutual funds work best for goals above five years.
Debt funds may suit short-term needs, under three years.
Hybrid funds could balance risk and return for medium-term goals.
Actively Managed Funds vs Index Funds
While index funds follow a benchmark, actively managed funds offer certain advantages:

Active funds aim to outperform the benchmark through expert fund management.
Fund managers adjust portfolios based on market opportunities.
Actively managed funds provide higher flexibility and potential for better returns.
Disadvantages of index funds:

Index funds strictly follow the index and lack flexibility.
Returns depend solely on the market and do not outperform benchmarks.
During market downturns, index funds replicate losses without any adjustments.
Direct Funds vs Regular Funds
When it comes to direct and regular mutual funds, regular funds have distinct benefits:

Investing through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) ensures proper guidance.
Regular plans involve professional advice tailored to your financial goals.
Direct funds require self-research and monitoring, which can be challenging.
Tax Implications of Mutual Funds
Taxation affects your net returns, so understand the rules:

Equity funds: Long-term capital gains (LTCG) above Rs 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%. Short-term capital gains (STCG) are taxed at 20%.
Debt funds: Both LTCG and STCG are taxed as per your income tax slab.
Choose funds based on post-tax returns aligned with your goals.
Avoid Investment Cum Insurance Products
If you hold LIC, ULIPs, or other investment-cum-insurance policies, consider surrendering them.
These products often provide lower returns and high costs.
Redirect funds into mutual funds for better transparency and higher potential returns.
Expense Ratio and Fund Performance
Check the expense ratio of the mutual fund, as it impacts net returns.
Opt for funds with consistent performance over 5-10 years.
Avoid funds with sudden spikes in performance, as they may lack stability.
Sectoral and Thematic Funds
These funds focus on specific industries or themes, offering high returns.
However, they carry higher risks due to limited diversification.
Consider them only if you have high-risk tolerance and market knowledge.
Role of Diversification
Diversify your investments across equity, debt, and hybrid funds.
This reduces risk while maintaining balanced returns.
Avoid over-diversification, as it can dilute returns.
Seek Expert Guidance
Consult a Certified Financial Planner for a personalized financial plan.
A CFP assesses your risk, goals, and taxation to recommend suitable funds.
This ensures your investments align with your overall financial strategy.
Monitor and Rebalance Your Portfolio
Regularly review your portfolio to align it with market trends.
Rebalance your investments to maintain the desired asset allocation.
Stay informed about changes in mutual fund performance and taxation rules.
Final Insights
Choosing the best mutual fund is not about selecting the highest return scheme. Instead, it involves aligning funds with your unique financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon. Active fund management, proper diversification, and expert guidance enhance your chances of achieving financial success.

Invest wisely and focus on long-term benefits for sustained growth.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

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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

Samraat

Samraat Jadhav  |2499 Answers  |Ask -

Stock Market Expert - Answered on Dec 08, 2025

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10874 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Dec 08, 2025

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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