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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7100 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 30, 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
PREM Question by PREM on May 30, 2024Hindi
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Which MFs should be best for SWP. and safer also. How much to be invested in them. Please list some good fund mix regards

Ans: Large Cap Funds: Invest in reputable & trust worthy large cap funds known for stability and consistent returns.

Balanced Advantage Funds: Opt for balanced advantage funds offering a mix of equity and debt for steady income.

Conservative Hybrid Funds: Consider conservative hybrid funds for a balanced approach with lower volatility.

Investment Allocation
Allocate investments based on risk tolerance and income requirements, focusing on capital preservation and regular income generation.

Diversify across multiple funds to spread risk and enhance stability.

Recommended Fund Mix
50% Large Cap Funds
30% Balanced Advantage Funds
20% Conservative Hybrid Funds
Conclusion
By strategically allocating investments across large cap, balanced advantage, and conservative hybrid funds, investors can ensure a safer SWP approach while aiming for steady income generation and capital preservation.

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  |7100 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 18, 2024

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Sir thanks please can you suggest me few names of mutual funds for SWP with good historical performance and good returns, As i don't have any experience. I shall be highly grateful to you. Regards
Ans: Certainly! When considering mutual funds for Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWP), it's important to look for funds that have a consistent track record of good performance over the long term. Here are a few general guidelines and factors to consider:

Historical Performance: Look for funds that have consistently outperformed their benchmark and peers over a 3 to 5-year period. However, past performance is not indicative of future results.
Expense Ratio: Lower expense ratios can enhance your returns over time. It's advisable to choose funds with a lower expense ratio.
Fund Manager: An experienced and skilled fund manager can make a difference. Check the tenure and track record of the fund manager.
Fund Size: A larger fund size usually indicates investor confidence. However, very large funds might find it challenging to generate high returns due to liquidity constraints.
Asset Allocation: Make sure the fund's asset allocation aligns with your risk tolerance and investment goals.
Risk Profile: Evaluate the risk associated with the fund by looking at metrics like Standard Deviation, Beta, and Sharpe Ratio. Make sure it matches your risk appetite.
Consistency: Consistency in performance is key. Avoid funds with erratic performance even if they have had a few good years.
It's essential to understand that recommending specific mutual fund schemes without knowing your complete financial background, investment goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon can be risky. Each investor's needs and circumstances are unique, so what works well for one person may not be suitable for another.

Therefore, before making any investment decisions, it's highly recommended to consult with a certified financial advisor or investment professional who can provide personalized advice tailored to your individual needs and goals. They can help you choose the right mutual funds for your SWP based on a thorough understanding of your financial situation and objectives.

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Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |7100 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Nov 02, 2024

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I am 45 years old. I have 50 lakh of rupees with me which I want to invest in Mutual fund on SWP plan. Please suggest me some good safety mutual funds.
Ans: At 45 years, investing with a focus on safety and a steady income is a wise decision. Using an SWP in mutual funds can provide regular income while preserving and potentially growing your principal. Here’s a structured plan to help you achieve this.

1. Understanding the Benefits of SWP
An SWP offers a steady monthly income by withdrawing a fixed amount from your mutual fund investment.

Consistent Cash Flow: SWP provides you with a regular, predictable income each month, making it ideal for meeting monthly expenses.

Capital Preservation: With a well-chosen fund, your Rs 50 lakh principal can remain largely intact.

Tax Efficiency: SWP withdrawals are tax-efficient as the capital gains component of the withdrawal may attract lower tax rates. This structure can be advantageous when compared to other income options.

Key Insight: SWPs provide a steady income without disturbing the entire investment, keeping a portion invested for potential growth.

2. Choosing Mutual Funds for Safety and Stability
Since your primary goal is safety, selecting funds with a conservative profile is essential. Consider funds that balance growth and capital preservation.

Debt-Oriented Funds: Debt funds, particularly short- to medium-duration funds, offer safety and moderate growth. These funds invest in government securities, corporate bonds, and other low-risk instruments. They are less volatile than equity funds and are suited for regular income.

Hybrid Funds for Stability: Conservative hybrid funds invest in both debt and a small portion of equity. The debt portion offers stability, while the equity exposure provides growth. These funds are suitable for those looking for higher returns than pure debt funds but without the risk of full equity exposure.

Balanced Advantage Funds: These funds dynamically allocate between equity and debt based on market conditions. They provide a cushion in market downturns, making them suitable for steady withdrawals with moderate growth.

Recommendation: Select a combination of conservative hybrid and debt-oriented funds for a balanced risk approach.

3. Avoiding Common Missteps with Direct and Index Funds
Direct and index funds may seem cost-effective, but they can lack essential guidance and flexibility.

Direct Funds: Though they have lower expense ratios, direct funds require constant monitoring and expertise. Regular funds, managed through a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), offer the advantage of professional advice. This support is invaluable for adjusting to market changes and rebalancing as needed.

Index Funds: While index funds are passive and track the market, they don’t provide the flexibility needed in changing markets. Actively managed funds in regular plans allow fund managers to make strategic choices based on market trends, benefiting investors in volatile conditions.

Insight: For SWP and safety-focused investments, regular funds managed with CFP guidance provide the expertise and proactive adjustments needed for secure growth.

4. Structuring Your Rs 50 Lakh SWP Investment
To maximize safety and income, diversify your Rs 50 lakh across different types of funds.

Debt Funds (50%): Allocate about 50% in short- to medium-duration debt funds. These funds provide a stable income base with low volatility.

Conservative Hybrid Funds (30%): A 30% allocation in conservative hybrid funds offers moderate growth. The debt component adds stability, while the equity portion contributes to potential returns.

Balanced Advantage Funds (20%): Allocate 20% in balanced advantage funds. They provide a balance of safety and growth by adjusting equity exposure based on market conditions.

Strategy: By diversifying your investment across these categories, you can optimize safety while still benefiting from modest growth. This mix provides steady returns suitable for SWP.

5. Setting the SWP Withdrawal Amount
Determining a sustainable monthly SWP amount is crucial to preserve your principal.

Assess Expected Monthly Needs: Calculate your required monthly income from the SWP to cover essential expenses. For instance, withdrawing Rs 30,000 - Rs 40,000 per month would be a conservative amount, allowing room for your investment to grow.

Avoid Excessive Withdrawals: Large withdrawals can deplete the fund’s value, especially during market downturns. Set an SWP rate that allows the fund to grow even after withdrawals.

Suggestion: Start with a modest SWP amount, reviewing it yearly with a CFP. This approach helps adjust for inflation and market changes without compromising your principal.

6. Tax Considerations in SWP Planning
Understanding tax implications is crucial in planning an SWP.

Equity Funds: For equity-oriented funds, long-term capital gains (LTCG) above Rs 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%. Short-term gains are taxed at 20% if you sell within one year. Since SWP generally operates over time, long-term gains tax will mostly apply.

Debt Funds: For debt funds, both LTCG and STCG are taxed according to your income tax slab. While SWP withdrawals might be low on tax initially, your cumulative withdrawals could lead to capital gains over time.

Insight: Work with a CFP to plan tax-efficient withdrawals. This can significantly enhance net returns over the years.

7. Reviewing and Adjusting Your SWP Periodically
Market conditions and personal financial needs evolve, making regular reviews of your SWP crucial.

Annual Review: Assess the performance of your SWP investments yearly. If any fund is consistently underperforming, consider switching to a better alternative.

Adjusting the Withdrawal Amount: If inflation increases your monthly expenses, consider a slight increase in your SWP amount. However, ensure that it doesn’t impact your principal significantly.

Action Plan: Conduct annual reviews with a Certified Financial Planner to adjust SWP amounts, rebalance investments, and maintain stability.

8. Planning for Market Downturns
Equity markets and even debt markets can experience periods of decline. Preparing for these situations helps protect your SWP.

Emergency Cash Buffer: Maintain an emergency fund outside your SWP investments. This can cover expenses during market downturns without requiring additional withdrawals.

Switch to Safer Options During Volatile Times: In case of prolonged market downturns, shifting a portion of funds to liquid or ultra-short debt options could stabilize your SWP.

Tip: Having a buffer and flexibility can protect your investments during economic slowdowns.

9. Building a Sustainable SWP Strategy for the Long Term
An SWP is a reliable strategy for generating income from investments, but it needs a sustainable plan.

Avoid High-Risk Funds: Stick to conservative funds with low to moderate risk. Safety is more important than aggressive growth for an SWP.

Monitor Returns Regularly: Regularly track returns on your SWP investments. This helps you stay aware of performance and make timely adjustments if needed.

Best Practice: A conservative SWP strategy allows for a stable monthly income while preserving your investment over the years.

10. Finally
Your decision to invest Rs 50 lakh in an SWP reflects a sound plan for steady income and capital preservation. By choosing the right funds and structuring withdrawals wisely, you can maintain financial stability for years.

Diversifying across debt, hybrid, and balanced funds gives a balance of safety and growth.

Regular reviews with a Certified Financial Planner help adjust your SWP for changing needs.

Consider tax efficiency, sustainable withdrawal rates, and risk management to enhance the effectiveness of your SWP.

With a well-thought-out strategy and regular monitoring, your SWP can provide a reliable income stream while preserving your principal.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

..Read more

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Anu

Anu Krishna  |1321 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Nov 22, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 28, 2024Hindi
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Hi sir, I am 40 yr old having work-expereince of 10 yrs behind me in ITes, customer support & service, banking and sales & marketing (product). My life till now can easily be converted into a bollywood biopic having its own twist & turns, roadblocks, struggles laughter, joy and sorrow. Change is the only constant in life and that exactly applies in my case. Although it has been a satisfactorily life till now given that I know myself and how I lead my life. Whenever I start to read something new I feel like going deep into it. I am also easily attracted to novel things & concepts. I usually get into procastination mode whenever I come across something entirely new and start to imagine myself trying it out in realilty.Why does this happens? Why can't I focus on one single thing at a time and see it to completion? I know in todays world generalists are looked down upon and it is an era of specialists, experts and professionals having good domain knowledge of their area of work. It is always better to be an expert than be a jack of all trades (which seems very filmy nowadays where a hero is expected to do everything on his own). Lately I have developed an avid interest in technology and i keep on reading various articles & books on IT and technology. I am also pursuing an online cyber security course from Great Learning Institute, Bangalore. I want to know am I going in the correct direction in life or is it something else I should do which ensures more satisfaction in life? Lately, I have become bit irriiated as well due to the above reasons as I tend to do multiple things at a time (multitasking). My parents are also fed up of me now. My mother keeps nagging me all day.I dont know how to really deal with her, as she always finds perfection in everything. That becomes too much at times. Does this happens in every household? Should I go out and travel to some place in order to temporarily escape from all this? Kindly suggest me some course of action. Pls answer. Thanks
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
You will be distracted and keep trying new things until you actually figure out what you want for yourself in life.
- How does you life seem like a few years down the line?
- What must you do NOW to actually get to where you want in life?

And to answer these questions, you first need to identify a strong, solid goal in life. Either you work with a mentor or your boss or a friend or an expert who can help you identify your goal and purpose. That might help you stay the course and actually streamline your thoughts, your job and your daily life.
Travel used for learning is great but using it to escape only worsens things...So, work on Goal-Setting!

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

...Read more

Anu

Anu Krishna  |1321 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Nov 22, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Nov 16, 2024Hindi
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Hi , I am a professor mech engineer , after death of my wife and due to having 5 year girl baby I planned for 2 nd marriage as I live alone away from home town because my of job with my little baby . I accepted a widow having 2 child ,she was working in a govt job 250 km away , after ensuring and agreeing her possibility of transfer and job vacancy @govt office near my house and ensuring she agreed that she will come to live with me along with her 2 kids and my little baby as her trasfer was due in comming few months . We lived apart during her job at 250 km away.,while meeting on weekly offs 6 /7 time in 6 months , then she take 360 degree u turn and said she will not get job transfer to my place and get her trasfer in other dept. in same previous office. And started telling many reasons like she will loose her children's inheritance in her in-laws property ,she will loose promotion , kids Don't want trasfer , and said we will live apart forever . This was contradictory to earlier agreed things .and my my purpose to live in family with my baby not fulfilled , so after long ruckus ,I mutually got divorce from her , Then After divorce I decided to marry non working women having no child and don't expect child as I am @48 year old and tired of living alone and managing job ,girl , house chores . I married to a divorcee girl from Pune ,she was BA first year college drop out girl of 44 yr age after 6 months of long dating on week ends . During 6 months I tried to know her indepth but was don't used to talk much as I was trying to know her true nature, we visited many places ,movies . She seemed perfect as per my requirement of girl wanting no child , and she is house wife . after marriage she behave well for 1 st week ,then she started trouble to hate my baby ( became kaikai )on pety things , she want my baby to house chores at the cost of her important year of 10th std study . She don't liked me taking tution of girl , she didn't like if I help my girl any way . She don't like if I spent some money on my girl . She used to fight all night and don't let me sleep . Now she stated demanding that she want baby , though I was against and b4 marriage agreed to not have any more child due to old age ,cost ,and no personal time for self , then I agreed to have child but b4 that I got her and my fertility tested ,she had weak eggs and syst on her reproductive organs and doc warned to not go for pregnancy due to risk and probability of unhealthy baby birth , but she kept repeating That she want child we consulted 4 Drs. She used to fight and go to her mother's home for 2/4 months after living with me for 2/3 days only . Now she wants divorce , and asks me to keep my girl in hostel if I want her in my life . This Ramayan has left me baffled , What should I do ??? .....
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
The reason to marry for you mainly has been companionship, a mother for your daughter...
And marriage is not a transaction BUT a meeting of minds...when there is no compatibility, there is no space for agreeing on the same things or wanting to make things work which is possibly what has happened with your 2nd and 3rd marriage.
If you want this marriage to work, there has to be an equal commitment by both of you, so, start by emotionally bonding first. Slowly build on this by making goals for the marriage and the future...your only goal can't be mother for your child...not all women are going to readily accept this and some may even falter along the way. Allow the lady and your daughter to bond together for sometime so they develop a unique relationship...
Understand that transactional relationships do not last; so, invest enough time in building trust in that companionship for it to become something meaningful

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

...Read more

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Anu Krishna  |1321 Answers  |Ask -

Relationships Expert, Mind Coach - Answered on Nov 22, 2024

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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