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Ulhas

Ulhas Joshi  | Answer  |Ask -

Mutual Fund Expert - Answered on Jun 28, 2023

With over 16 years of experience in the mutual fund industry, Ulhas Joshi has helped numerous clients choose the right funds and create wealth.
Prior to joining RankMF as CEO, he was vice president (sales) at IDBI Asset Management Ltd.
Joshi holds an MBA in marketing from Barkatullah University, Bhopal.... more
Brijlal Question by Brijlal on Jun 27, 2023Hindi
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WHICH MUTUL FUND IS PROFITABLE IN THIS TIME

Ans: Hello Brijal and thanks for writing to me. Generally, all funds/schemes have cycles where some outperform and some underperform over time.

Please provide other details like the amount you wish to invest, whether you wish to invest it all in one go or over time, your goals and your risk appetite so that I can recommend a plan.
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  |9605 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Jan 20, 2025

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What is best mutual fund to invest now
Ans: Selecting the best mutual fund depends on your financial goals, risk appetite, and investment horizon. It’s essential to focus on diversification, consistency, and professional management. Let’s evaluate the factors and categories you should consider for investment:

Factors to Consider Before Investing
1. Financial Goals
Define whether your goal is short-term, medium-term, or long-term.
For long-term goals like retirement, focus on equity-oriented funds.
For short-term needs, prioritise debt or hybrid funds.
2. Risk Tolerance
Assess your risk-taking capacity.
For high risk tolerance, small-cap and mid-cap funds can be considered.
For moderate risk tolerance, opt for large-cap or balanced advantage funds.
3. Investment Horizon
Equity funds perform best over a 5–10 year horizon.
For horizons under three years, choose safer options like debt mutual funds.
4. Tax Efficiency
Equity mutual funds are taxed at 12.5% on LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakh.
Debt mutual funds are taxed as per your income slab.
Choose funds aligned with your tax strategy.
Categories of Mutual Funds Based on Goals
1. Large-Cap Funds
Invest in established companies with stable performance.
Suitable for moderate risk-takers.
Provides consistency during market volatility.
2. Mid-Cap and Small-Cap Funds
Focus on medium and smaller companies with higher growth potential.
Suitable for investors with high risk appetite and long-term goals.
Volatility is higher compared to large-cap funds.
3. Multi-Cap and Flexi-Cap Funds
Invest across large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap stocks.
Offers diversification and balanced risk.
Suitable for long-term goals with moderate risk tolerance.
4. Hybrid and Balanced Advantage Funds
A mix of equity and debt for stable growth.
Suitable for investors seeking moderate returns with lower risk.
Ideal for medium-term goals.
5. Debt Mutual Funds
Invest in government securities, corporate bonds, and money market instruments.
Suitable for short-term goals or conservative investors.
Provides steady but low returns.
Actively Managed Funds vs Index Funds
Disadvantages of Index Funds:
Index funds aim to match the market but lack active management.
They underperform during market corrections as they are entirely market-dependent.
Index funds do not focus on risk management, unlike actively managed funds.
Benefits of Actively Managed Funds:
These funds outperform during both rising and falling markets.
Professional fund managers allocate assets based on market conditions.
Actively managed funds can deliver superior long-term returns compared to index funds.
Avoid Direct Plans: Invest Through a Certified Financial Planner
Disadvantages of Direct Plans:
Direct plans require constant monitoring, which is time-consuming.
Without guidance, there is a risk of under-diversification or over-concentration.
Direct plans often lead to poor fund selection due to limited expertise.
Benefits of Regular Plans:
Investing through a Certified Financial Planner ensures personalised advice.
CFPs monitor your portfolio and recommend adjustments.
You gain access to a diversified and goal-oriented portfolio.
Suggested Allocation Based on Goals
Short-Term Goals (0–3 Years):
Invest in ultra-short-term debt funds or liquid mutual funds.
Prioritise stability and liquidity.
Medium-Term Goals (3–5 Years):
Consider hybrid or balanced advantage funds.
These provide a mix of stability and moderate growth.
Long-Term Goals (5+ Years):
Focus on equity-oriented funds like large-cap, mid-cap, and multi-cap funds.
These funds harness the power of compounding over time.
Tax Efficiency for Your Investments
Equity Mutual Funds: Keep investments for more than one year to avoid 20% STCG.
Debt Mutual Funds: Withdraw strategically to avoid high tax liability, as per your slab rate.
Balanced Advantage Funds: These funds are more tax-efficient than pure debt funds.
Key Recommendations
Choose funds based on your financial goals, risk appetite, and investment horizon.
Maintain a diversified portfolio across equity, debt, and hybrid categories.
Consult a Certified Financial Planner to customise your investment strategy.
Avoid index funds and direct plans. Stick to actively managed funds with regular plans.
Review your portfolio every six months for realignment.
Final Insights
Your decision to invest in mutual funds is a step toward financial independence. Select funds aligned with your goals, and rely on expert guidance for better results. Stay patient and disciplined to achieve your financial objectives.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9605 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Feb 18, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Feb 17, 2025Hindi
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Please suggest some good MF to be invested at this time (Feb/Mar 2025) for long term as the market is down. Thanks
Ans: The stock market is currently experiencing a downturn. This can be unsettling for investors. However, such phases often present opportunities for long-term investments. Historically, markets have rebounded over time, rewarding patient investors.

Benefits of Investing During Market Lows

Potential for Higher Returns: Investing when prices are low can lead to significant gains as the market recovers.

Rupee Cost Averaging: Regular investments during downturns can average out the purchase cost, reducing the impact of market volatility.

Recommended Mutual Fund Categories for Long-Term Investment

Large-Cap Equity Funds

Stability: These funds invest in well-established companies with a strong track record.

Resilience: Large-cap companies often withstand market downturns better than smaller firms.

Diversified Equity Funds

Broad Exposure: These funds invest across various sectors and company sizes.

Risk Mitigation: Diversification helps in spreading risk, potentially leading to more stable returns.

Balanced or Hybrid Funds

Equity and Debt Mix: These funds combine equity investments with debt instruments.

Reduced Volatility: The debt component can cushion against market fluctuations, offering a balanced risk-return profile.

Importance of Professional Guidance

While mutual funds are accessible, selecting the right ones requires expertise. Consulting a Certified Financial Planner can provide personalized advice based on your financial goals and risk tolerance.

Final Insights

Investing during market downturns can be advantageous for long-term wealth creation. By choosing suitable mutual fund categories and seeking professional guidance, you can navigate the current market conditions effectively.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in

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

..Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9605 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Apr 11, 2025

Money
which mutual fund can i invest at present time
Ans: It is very good that you are thinking seriously about investing in mutual funds.

Now let's see the right fund types to invest in at present.

Assess Your Time Horizon
If your goal is 5 years or less, equity funds are not ideal.

For medium to long-term goals, equity mutual funds can give better returns than FDs.

For very short-term goals, debt funds or hybrid conservative funds are better.

Always match your investment to your goal time frame.

Define Your Risk Profile
If you cannot handle ups and downs, avoid small cap and mid cap funds.

If you are okay with risk and waiting for long, consider diversified equity funds.

If your risk appetite is low, use hybrid or balanced advantage funds.

For moderate risk, large and mid cap funds or flexi cap funds are suitable.

Opt for Actively Managed Funds
Index funds follow the market blindly. They never beat it.

In bad market times, index funds give no protection.

Actively managed funds are guided by expert fund managers.

These fund managers use insights to avoid risky sectors.

Active funds have more scope to outperform. Especially in volatile times.

If you want better returns and managed risk, always go for actively managed funds.

Avoid Direct Mutual Funds
Direct funds need full research and ongoing tracking.

Wrong choice in direct funds can cost you big.

Many investors miss rebalancing and fund switches at the right time.

With regular funds, you get support from a certified financial planner.

Regular plans give advice, reviews, and goal tracking help.

Paying a small commission in regular funds gives you full support.

That is worth much more than the 0.5%-1% cost.

Recommended Fund Categories
Let’s now break this into fund categories for your better understanding.

Large Cap Funds

Invest in top companies with strong balance sheets.

Less volatile than small and mid cap funds.

Good for conservative and first-time investors.

Suitable for long-term wealth creation with stability.

Can be 25%-30% of your portfolio.

Flexi Cap Funds

These funds invest in large, mid, and small companies.

Fund managers have more freedom to pick good stocks.

They offer good balance of growth and safety.

Ideal for medium to high risk investors.

Can be 20%-25% of your portfolio.

Large & Mid Cap Funds

By rule, 35% goes in large and 35% in mid cap companies.

This makes it suitable for balanced growth.

Slightly higher return potential than large cap funds.

Good for medium to long-term goals.

Allocate around 20% of your portfolio.

Mid Cap Funds

Good for 7+ year goals.

Mid-size companies can grow faster than large caps.

But they are more volatile.

Don’t invest unless you have patience.

Keep only 10%-15% in mid cap funds.

Small Cap Funds

Invest only if your goal is 10 years away.

Returns can be very high in long-term.

But risk and falls can be extreme.

Invest only 5%-10% of your corpus.

SIP route is better than lump sum in small cap.

Focused Funds

They invest in only 20-30 stocks.

Not suitable for new or conservative investors.

High potential if managed well.

Risk is higher due to concentrated portfolio.

Use only if you understand fund’s strategy.

Debt Mutual Funds for Low Risk
These are best for parking money for short-term needs.

Safer than equity funds, but returns are moderate.

Now taxed as per your income tax slab.

Still better than FDs in terms of post-tax returns if you are in lower tax slab.

Options include short duration, ultra short, or liquid funds.

Don’t expect very high returns. But useful for stability.

Hybrid Funds for Balanced Investing
Mix of equity and debt.

Gives smoother returns than full equity funds.

Good for beginners or medium risk investors.

Balanced Advantage Funds adjust equity-debt mix automatically.

Equity Savings Funds offer better safety with mild growth.

These can be 15%-20% of your portfolio.

SIP vs Lump Sum
If you have a big amount, don’t invest all in one go.

Use STP (Systematic Transfer Plan) to move it slowly to equity fund.

SIP is best for regular investing and averaging cost.

Keep increasing SIP yearly by 10%-15%.

Use a mix of SIP and STP based on your cash flow.

Rebalancing Is Very Important
Review funds every year with your certified financial planner.

Remove underperforming schemes regularly.

Rebalance between debt and equity based on goal.

Avoid emotional decisions when market falls.

This ensures your portfolio remains healthy.

Tax Implications You Must Know
New rules apply to equity mutual funds.

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

Short-term gains are taxed at 20%.

For debt funds, all gains are taxed as per your slab.

Plan redemptions smartly to save tax.

Use tax loss harvesting where needed.

Goal Mapping Is a Must
Don’t invest blindly. Always map your goals first.

Break your goals as short, mid and long-term.

Then decide which fund type suits each goal.

Keep emergency fund separate in liquid fund.

Review goal progress every year.

Finally
Equity mutual funds are best for wealth creation.

Choose actively managed funds over index funds.

Use regular plans with a certified financial planner for full support.

Match fund category to your goals and risk level.

Avoid LIC, ULIPs and annuity plans.

Review, rebalance, and reinvest every year.

Your discipline matters more than fund performance.

Keep calm and stay invested for the long run.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9605 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 25, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi, I am 41 years old with a salary of 2.4 lacs per month. Currently I have 40 lacs of home loan outstanding, 13.4 lacs in PF, 9.5 lacs in PPF and 3 lacs in stocks. I have 2 kids 11 and 6 years old. How should I plan for kids education, retirement and future investments
Ans: Understanding Your Current Financial Snapshot
– You are 41 years old.
– Monthly salary is Rs 2.4 lakh after deductions.
– Home loan outstanding is Rs 40 lakh.
– PF balance is Rs 13.4 lakh.
– PPF corpus is Rs 9.5 lakh.
– Stock investments are Rs 3 lakh.
– You have two children aged 11 and 6.

You are at a crucial stage in your financial journey. You have good income and existing savings. But responsibilities like education, home loan, and retirement need structured planning.

Assessing Existing Commitments and Liabilities
– Your home loan is a big financial commitment.
– Ensure your EMIs are not exceeding 35%-40% of your monthly salary.
– Don’t rush to close the loan if your cash flow is smooth.
– But aim to prepay part of it when surplus funds are available.
– This will help reduce your interest burden over the years.

– Check the interest rate on your home loan.
– If rates are above 9%, explore refinancing options.
– But refinance only if there are no big costs involved.

– Protect your family from the home loan risk.
– Have a pure term insurance cover equal to your outstanding home loan plus future goals.

Building a Strong Emergency Fund
– Emergency fund is a must-have for every family.
– Ideally, it should cover 6 to 12 months of expenses.
– You did not mention your emergency fund.
– If you don’t have one, create it immediately.

– Keep it in a liquid mutual fund or sweep-in FD.
– Don’t keep it in stocks or PPF as they are not liquid.

Reviewing Your Insurance Protection
– Life insurance should be a pure term plan.
– It should cover your income till retirement and your liabilities.
– For your profile, at least Rs 1 crore to Rs 1.5 crore cover is needed.

– Health insurance for you, spouse, and kids is also necessary.
– Have a family floater of at least Rs 10 lakh.
– Your employer’s policy alone is not enough.

– If you have any LIC endowment or money-back policies, surrender them.
– Reinvest the proceeds into mutual funds to grow your wealth better.

Setting Education Goals for Your Children
Your first child will go to college in 6 to 7 years.
The second child will follow after 10 to 12 years.
Higher education in India or abroad could cost Rs 30 lakh to Rs 80 lakh per child.

Step 1: Calculate the Target Corpus
– For simplicity, assume Rs 50 lakh target per child.
– This will account for inflation and rising education costs.

Step 2: Start Dedicated Mutual Fund SIPs
– Start separate mutual fund SIPs for each child’s education.
– Prefer actively managed equity funds for long-term growth.
– Don’t opt for index funds.
– Index funds blindly follow the market and underperform in volatility.
– Actively managed funds are guided by expert fund managers.

– Invest regularly through an MFD who holds a CFP credential.
– Regular funds through MFD give you ongoing advice and handholding.
– Direct funds miss out on this personalised guidance.
– In tough markets, guidance from an MFD helps you stay on track.

Step 3: Review and Increase SIP Annually
– As your salary grows, increase SIP every year.
– This will help you reach your education goal faster.

Structuring Your Retirement Planning
Retirement is 17 to 19 years away for you. You already have PF and PPF. But they are conservative instruments.

Step 1: Estimate Retirement Needs
– Consider your lifestyle expenses post-retirement.
– Include healthcare costs and inflation.
– You may need Rs 3 crore to Rs 4 crore in today’s terms.

Step 2: Continue PF and PPF Contributions
– PF and PPF are safe instruments for retirement.
– Don’t withdraw from them for other purposes.

Step 3: Start Additional Retirement Investments
– Start investing in diversified actively managed equity mutual funds.
– Keep this portfolio separate from kids’ education funds.
– SIPs of Rs 25,000 to Rs 35,000 monthly can help create a large corpus.

Step 4: Maintain Balanced Risk
– As you near retirement, shift some funds to debt mutual funds.
– This balances growth and stability in your portfolio.

Reviewing the Stock Investments
– You currently hold Rs 3 lakh in stocks.
– Keep this for high-risk, high-return potential.
– But don’t treat stocks as your retirement or education fund.
– Stocks are volatile and unpredictable.

– Avoid adding more funds directly into stocks unless you have deep knowledge.
– Mutual funds managed by experts are a safer way for long-term wealth creation.

Recommended Monthly Investment Plan
Given your income and goals, allocate like this:

– 25%-30% of income towards children’s education goals.
– 20%-25% of income towards retirement goals.
– 10%-15% towards home loan prepayment over time.
– 5%-8% towards emergency fund until it is complete.

Adjust these numbers depending on your household expenses and lifestyle.

Managing the Home Loan Strategically
– Don’t rush to prepay home loan at the cost of your goals.
– Interest paid on a home loan has tax benefits.
– Prioritise education and retirement over prepayment.

– But don’t ignore the loan completely.
– Aim to part prepay it every year from bonuses or incentives.
– This will help reduce the overall loan tenure.

Optimising Tax Efficiency
– Continue claiming Section 80C benefits for PF and PPF contributions.
– Use Section 80D for health insurance premium deduction.
– Claim home loan principal under Section 80C.
– Claim home loan interest under Section 24(b).

– Don’t sell mutual funds frequently to avoid higher taxes.
– For equity mutual funds:

LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakh taxed at 12.5%.

STCG taxed at 20%.

– For debt mutual funds, LTCG and STCG taxed as per your slab.

Reviewing Portfolio Every Year
– Every financial plan needs review.
– Check your SIP progress every year.
– Increase SIP as your income rises.
– Rebalance your portfolio once a year.
– Keep your portfolio aligned with your risk appetite.

Building Financial Discipline in the Family
– Discuss savings and goals with your spouse.
– Ensure both are involved in financial decisions.
– Start teaching basic money habits to your children.

This makes the entire family financially aware and responsible.

Creating a Second Income in the Future
– Once your goals are on track, explore a second income.
– Freelancing, hobby monetisation, or consulting could be options.
– Don’t jump into real estate for rental income.
– Real estate has liquidity risks and legal complexities.

Mutual funds and skill-based side income give better diversification.

Keeping a Contingency Plan Ready
– Job security is uncertain in any sector.
– Your emergency fund should cover job loss for 6 months.
– Also build upskilling plans to remain employable in future.

Diversify your income streams where possible.

Final Insights
– You are at a key stage in your financial journey.
– Children’s education and your retirement are your priority goals.
– Start SIPs in actively managed mutual funds.
– Protect your savings with insurance and an emergency fund.

– Don’t rush to close the home loan. But part-prepay over time.
– Avoid real estate as an investment.
– Focus on financial assets that grow and stay liquid.

– Work with a Certified Financial Planner for ongoing guidance.
– Invest through an MFD holding CFP credentials.
– This ensures continuous monitoring and course correction.

Take small steps consistently. Wealth creation is a marathon, not a sprint.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9605 Answers  |Ask -

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

Money
How Mutual fund redemption are taxed in NRO account when person being NRI is using his own NRO acc for MF investment. Pls tell us if LTCG and STCG are applied same as compared to normal indian customer( who use savings account and non NRI) .. appreciate if you can establish with illustrtaed examples , lets say 10L investment , redeemed after 3yrs , total redemption value 13L ( 3 L Long term gain). How indian tax system attract taxes to 3L gain ? Will that long term tax same as for ordinary citizen ?
Ans: This is an important area where many NRIs face confusion. You’ve asked about mutual fund redemption taxation through an NRO account and how it compares with resident investors. I’ll address your concern point by point with complete clarity and a 360-degree perspective.

NRO Account and Mutual Fund Investment
– NRO stands for Non-Resident Ordinary account.
– This account is used by NRIs for income earned in India.
– You can invest in Indian mutual funds using your NRO account.
– But you must complete FATCA and KYC formalities as an NRI.
– AMCs will treat your tax status as “NRI” even if using NRO account.
– Therefore, tax rules applicable to NRIs will be followed.
– Resident investor rules will not apply.

Taxation of Mutual Fund Redemption for NRIs
Tax on mutual funds for NRIs is based on:

– Type of fund (equity or debt)
– Duration of holding
– Capital gain amount
– Your residential status (NRI or Resident Indian)

Even if using NRO account, tax treatment follows NRI status, not the account type.

Equity Mutual Funds – Tax Rules for NRIs
Applies to mutual funds with more than 65% equity exposure.

– Holding less than 1 year = Short-Term Capital Gain (STCG)
– STCG taxed at 20% flat rate for NRIs.
– Holding more than 1 year = Long-Term Capital Gain (LTCG)
– LTCG up to Rs. 1.25 lakh = Tax-Free
– LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh = 12.5% flat tax as per new rule.

Note: No indexation benefit available on equity mutual funds.

Debt Mutual Funds – Tax Rules for NRIs
Includes funds with less than 35% equity exposure.

– STCG and LTCG taxed as per your income tax slab.
– No special benefit or lower slab for long-term holding.
– NRIs get no indexation or concessional rate.
– Tax rate depends on total income earned in India.
– This applies irrespective of whether investment is through NRO or NRE.

TDS Deduction on Mutual Fund Redemptions for NRIs
– TDS is mandatory at the time of redemption for NRIs.
– AMCs deduct TDS before crediting the amount.
– For equity mutual funds:
– STCG: 20% TDS
– LTCG: 12.5% TDS (after Rs. 1.25 lakh exemption)
– For debt mutual funds:
– Entire gain taxed as per your slab
– TDS generally deducted at maximum applicable rate

Note: You may still need to file ITR in India to claim refund or clarify tax liability.

TDS vs Final Tax Liability
– TDS is not the final tax in all cases.
– You may get a refund if your final tax is less.
– You may have to pay more if TDS was less than actual.
– Filing tax return helps in adjusting this mismatch.

Whether Resident Tax Rules Apply for NRO Investment
– Resident tax benefits will not apply.
– Even if investment is made through NRO account.
– Your residential status decides the tax rule, not account type.
– Hence, NRI taxation applies fully.
– Resident investor is taxed differently in many cases.
– NRIs face TDS and flat rates in most scenarios.
– Residents don’t face TDS for mutual fund redemptions.
– Also, residents can use indexation on some investments.
– NRIs don’t enjoy that facility.

Illustrated Example – Equity Mutual Fund Redemption
Let’s take your example for clarity:

– Investment = Rs. 10 lakhs
– Holding period = 3 years
– Redemption amount = Rs. 13 lakhs
– Capital gain = Rs. 3 lakhs
– Type = Equity Mutual Fund

Tax Calculation:
– Holding more than 1 year = LTCG
– First Rs. 1.25 lakh of gain is tax-free
– Remaining Rs. 1.75 lakh is taxable at 12.5%
– Tax = 12.5% of Rs. 1.75 lakh = Rs. 21,875

Additional Note:
– AMC will deduct TDS of Rs. 21,875 at source
– You will get Rs. 13,00,000 – Rs. 21,875 = Rs. 12,78,125 in bank
– If actual tax due is lower or higher, ITR needs to be filed

What if the Fund Was Debt-Oriented?
– Then the full Rs. 3 lakh gain is taxed as normal income
– No LTCG or STCG concept for NRIs
– Tax will be as per slab, but TDS may be at higher rate
– Assume 30% tax slab, tax = Rs. 90,000
– AMC will deduct TDS based on applicable slab or 30%

Should NRIs Invest from NRO or NRE?
– Both NRO and NRE can be used for mutual funds
– But NRE-linked investments are repatriable
– NRO-linked investments are not freely repatriable
– Up to Rs. 1 million per financial year can be repatriated from NRO
– NRE investments enjoy better liquidity for repatriation

But taxation is based on your status as NRI – not based on NRO or NRE.

NRO Mutual Fund Investment – Final Thoughts
– Yes, you can invest through NRO account
– But tax will be as per NRI status
– No benefit of resident taxation even if account is NRO
– STCG and LTCG rules for NRIs will apply
– TDS is deducted even if you are not liable to final tax

Always declare correct residential status. Avoid investing as resident if you are NRI.

Importance of Fund Type – Equity vs Debt
– Always understand whether the fund is equity or debt
– It changes the tax rules significantly
– Equity funds are more tax-efficient for NRIs
– Debt funds can lead to higher TDS and tax outgo
– Choose actively managed equity funds for long term
– Avoid passive index funds – they offer no downside protection
– An experienced fund manager adds value during market cycles

Direct Plans – Not Suitable for NRIs
– You haven’t mentioned whether your investment is direct
– If direct plan is used:
– You get no service or advice
– No help in KYC, tax filing or TDS tracking
– No alert for rebalancing or fund underperformance
– Regular plan through MFD with CFP is more suitable
– Offers guidance, monitoring and goal alignment
– Mistakes in NRI investments can be costly

Avoid direct route, especially for NRO/NRI accounts.

Tax Filing for NRIs
– If TDS was deducted more than needed, file ITR in India
– Helps claim refund and update details
– If actual tax is more than TDS, you must pay balance
– Filing ITR ensures compliance and avoids notices
– Keep documents of investment proof and TDS deduction

Final Insights
– NRO account can be used by NRIs for mutual fund investment
– But taxation depends on NRI status, not account type
– LTCG on equity above Rs. 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%
– STCG on equity taxed at flat 20%
– Debt funds are taxed as per slab with higher TDS
– TDS is compulsory for NRIs on all capital gains
– No resident tax benefit applies to NRIs even if investing from NRO
– Filing tax return helps in refund or balance tax
– Prefer actively managed regular funds with CFP-backed MFD
– Avoid direct, index, or sectoral funds
– Don’t overlock funds with long lock-in structures

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

...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |8418 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 10, 2025

Career
Dear Sir, i got 95.408 % in mht cet this year and a jee main score of 83.94% can you suggest or guide me weather i can get any good college , though i wanted either vjti or coep, my marks fail me to achieve it sadly. My intrest is in Cs, AI&ML can you suggest the best college considering my conditions?
Ans: Aum, Pune and Mumbai institutes where a 95.408 percentile in MHT-CET virtually guarantees CSE or AI/ML admission include Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering, Akurdi, Pune; D.Y. Patil Institute of Technology, Pimpri, Pune; MIT-WPU, Pune; Cummins College of Engineering for Women, Pune; Pune Institute of Computer Technology, Dhankawadi, Pune; Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering (AI & DS), Akurdi, Pune; Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Engineering, Pimpri, Pune; Sinhgad College of Engineering, Vadgaon, Pune; JSPM Narhe Technical Campus, Narhe, Pune; Smt. Kashibai Navale College of Engineering, Kondhwa, Pune; AISSMS Institute of Information Technology, Shivajinagar, Pune; Vidyalankar Institute of Technology, Wadala, Mumbai; Thadomal Shahani Engineering College, Bandra West, Mumbai; Fr. Conceicao Rodrigues College of Engineering, Bandra West, Mumbai; and SIES Graduate School of Technology, Nerul, Navi Mumbai. All maintain accredited AI/ML-focused curricula, experienced faculty, modern labs and 70–90% placement records.

Recommendation: Target Pune Institute of Computer Technology for its rigorous AI/ML labs, 90%+ placement consistency and industry tie-ups; consider Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering Akurdi for its balanced AI/DS curriculum and robust internship pipelines; as an alternative, choose MIT-WPU Pune for its female-friendly campus, specialized AI faculty and solid 94–96 percentile cutoff. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9605 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 25, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi Sir, I'm 36 year old, with a debt of 26 lakh that include 15 lakh home loan and 11 lakh car loan. My take home salary is 2.05 L per month after additional deduction of 10.5K NPS and 10K VPF. My current saving in 27L in PF, 14L in NPS, Managing 2 PPF account with current corpus of 44L, 3 LIC policies with payment of 1.08L annually started 14 years ago and will be matured in 2040, 2 Child education plan with premium of 1 L annually and will be matured on 2035. 8 L in demat account. My wife is house wife and my child is in 4th standard. My monthly expenses approx 61K Loan EMI and 25K tution fees + household expenses. I wanted to make 5 cr corpus in next 10 years. Please guide any saving / investment plan to make it possible.
Ans: You have built a solid foundation already. At age 36, with structured savings and discipline, you are moving in the right direction. But reaching Rs. 5 crore in 10 years needs careful assessment, goal alignment, and efficient capital use.

Let’s work step-by-step to help you build the right path. This response will cover all areas of your finances from a 360-degree view.

Understanding Your Current Financial Position
– Monthly take-home is Rs. 2.05L
– Rs. 10.5K goes to NPS and Rs. 10K to VPF
– Total monthly outgo in loans is Rs. 61K
– Tuition fees and household expense total around Rs. 25K monthly
– Your surplus each month is about Rs. 1.09L
– You are financially stable with good surplus to invest
– That surplus must now be channelled efficiently

Review of Existing Investments
##Provident Fund and NPS
– You have Rs. 27L in PF and Rs. 14L in NPS
– These are safe, long-term tools for retirement
– But returns are moderate and fixed
– Don’t depend on these alone for wealth creation
– Continue contributions, but don't over-allocate here

##PPF Accounts
– Rs. 44L in two PPF accounts is significant
– PPF is safe but locked in till 15 years
– You already reached a sizable corpus here
– No need to add more to PPF now
– Returns are fixed and don’t beat inflation well

##Demat Holdings
– Rs. 8L in demat account shows risk appetite
– Stocks need deep research and time
– Continue with caution
– Avoid adding more if you can’t monitor closely
– Equity mutual funds are better for long-term growth

Analysis of Insurance Products
##LIC Policies
– You have 3 LIC policies with Rs. 1.08L annual premium
– Started 14 years ago and maturing in 2040
– These are likely endowment or money-back types
– Such plans give poor returns of 4% to 5%
– You are losing long-term growth here

– Since these were started long ago, continue them till maturity
– But don’t invest more in such plans going forward
– Avoid renewing or buying similar ones again
– Don’t use LIC for investment purpose
– Use it only for term cover if needed

##Child Education Plans
– Two policies, Rs. 1L annual premium each
– Maturing in 2035, for child education
– These are usually mix of insurance and investment
– They underperform mutual funds in long run
– Since you already invested for several years, you may continue
– But don’t buy new ones going forward

– From now on, use mutual funds for child goals
– Keep these policies until maturity if surrender value is low

Loan Analysis and Debt Strategy
– You have Rs. 15L home loan and Rs. 11L car loan
– EMI is Rs. 61K monthly
– That is reasonable, within 30% of your income
– Try to prepay the car loan in next 1 to 2 years
– It is a depreciating asset with high interest
– Don’t prepay home loan urgently now
– Let that continue for tax benefits

– If you receive bonus or surplus, first reduce car loan
– Then start investing more for wealth building

Monthly Cash Flow and Savings Ability
– Your net monthly income: Rs. 2.05L
– Loan EMI: Rs. 61K
– Tuition and household: Rs. 25K
– Surplus each month: Rs. 1.09L approx

– This is your wealth creation engine
– But it must be used well
– PPF, VPF, LIC, NPS alone will not take you to Rs. 5 crore
– You need aggressive equity investments with professional guidance

Target: Rs. 5 Crore in 10 Years
– This is a steep and ambitious goal
– But possible with right strategy and consistency
– You must invest at least Rs. 1L every month into high-growth tools
– Use only actively managed mutual funds for this goal

– Avoid index funds, they just copy the market
– They don’t protect your investment during market falls
– In contrast, actively managed funds are handled by expert fund managers
– They shift between sectors and opportunities to optimise gains
– This is crucial for a 10-year goal

– Also, avoid direct plans of mutual funds
– They may look cheaper, but they offer no guidance
– When markets fall, many direct investors stop SIPs out of fear
– Regular plans via a Certified Financial Planner offer discipline, reviews, and support
– That gives you peace of mind and better returns

– Build your mutual fund portfolio with guidance
– Use a mix of large-cap, mid-cap, flexi-cap and hybrid categories
– Review it every 6 months with your planner
– Increase SIPs yearly as income rises
– Stick to the plan even during market ups and downs

Optimising Insurance and Risk Coverage
– You didn’t mention your term insurance
– Please ensure you have at least Rs. 1.5 crore term cover
– Your child is dependent on you
– And spouse is a homemaker
– Don’t mix insurance with investment
– Keep pure term insurance separately

– Also, check your health insurance
– You must have at least Rs. 10L family floater
– Relying on corporate insurance alone is risky
– It stops if job changes or retirement happens
– Separate personal health cover is a must

Emergency Fund Planning
– You didn’t mention emergency fund
– You need at least 6 to 9 months’ expenses saved separately
– This should be kept in liquid mutual funds or FD
– Don’t touch it for investment
– Only for true emergencies like job loss or medical need

Step-by-Step Action Plan
– Start SIP of Rs. 1L per month into mutual funds
– Choose actively managed equity funds only
– Avoid index funds, direct plans, and ETFs
– Use regular plan via Certified Financial Planner

– Don’t invest more in PPF, VPF, or NPS
– Don’t take new insurance or child plans
– Shift focus towards wealth creation, not only tax saving

– Clear car loan in 2 years
– Continue home loan for tax benefit
– If you get bonus, use part for SIP top-up, part for loan prepayment

– Review SIP portfolio every 6 months
– Stick to the plan during all market cycles
– Increase SIP by 10–15% yearly as salary grows
– Avoid stopping SIPs for small short-term needs

Tax Implication on Mutual Funds
– Equity fund gains above Rs. 1.25L (after 1 year) taxed at 12.5%
– Equity gains before 1 year taxed at 20%
– Debt fund gains taxed as per your tax slab
– Keep these in mind when you plan redemptions

– Use the help of a Certified Financial Planner to manage tax-efficient withdrawals

Finally
You are financially aware and disciplined. That gives you a clear advantage.

But traditional tools like LIC, PPF, VPF, NPS alone won’t deliver Rs. 5 crore in 10 years. They are safe but too slow.

To reach your goal, the key is this:

Shift your monthly surplus of Rs. 1L to professionally managed mutual funds

Use only regular plans through Certified Financial Planner

Avoid direct or index options

Don’t stop or delay SIPs – let them grow for full 10 years

Keep emotions away from investment. Trust the process and review regularly.

This is a high goal. But you are in a strong position to chase it with right planning and expert help.

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

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Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9605 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 24, 2025Hindi
Money
Hi, Myself and wife are working in IT sector earning 2.4L/month together. I am 46 years of age currently. I need your advice to become debt free in next 5 years and retire with 1L monthly income post retirement at 55. I have two kids aged 13 and 5 years. I am expecting 1.3 cr for their education till graduation. Currently we have a home loan of 65L with 80K EMI and 10 years tenure. Our monthly expenses fall around 1.1L. We have 60L in PF, 50L in PPF, 20L in NPS, 60L in MF & Stocks. We have a property worth 3cr in a gated community. Currently investing 40K in SIPs, 25K in PPF and 10K in NPS together. Other expenses are 50K p.a for term insurances of 3cr for self and wife and 35K p.a for 15L health insurance, 1L p.a for endowment policies. Though it is difficult to allocate budget for savings, trying hard to continue. I have no other assets apart from these. Please suggest how to close home loan at the earliest and plan for post retirement.
Ans: Income, Expenses and Current Cash Flow Evaluation
– You both earn Rs. 2.4L per month together.
– Your household expenses are Rs. 1.1L every month.
– EMI for home loan is Rs. 80K monthly.
– Total fixed outflow is already Rs. 1.9L per month.
– You invest Rs. 75K monthly in SIPs, PPF, and NPS.
– You are stretching well to balance savings and EMIs.

– Annual insurance cost is Rs. 50K for term, Rs. 35K for health, Rs. 1L for endowment.
– It is becoming difficult to continue all this together.
– You are trying hard to save despite tight cash flow.
– This effort is very disciplined and must be appreciated.

– But to become debt free and retire early, we need restructuring.
– A cash flow-focused strategy is required immediately.

Home Loan Prepayment Strategy – Getting Debt-Free in 5 Years
– Home loan of Rs. 65L with 10-year tenure and Rs. 80K EMI is heavy.
– The interest outgo over 10 years will be very high.
– You aim to close this loan in 5 years, which is good.
– You will need to make yearly prepayments in addition to EMIs.

– Consider targeting Rs. 6–8L yearly as lump sum towards principal.
– You can plan this from yearly bonus or partial MF redemptions.
– Also, check if interest rates are flexible and allow partial prepayment without charge.
– Avoid reducing EMI, reduce tenure with every prepayment.
– This will save huge interest and help close loan faster.

– Keep Rs. 60K–70K monthly for regular expenses and essential insurance.
– Redirect any surplus over this towards loan prepayment.
– You may also pause PPF or reduce SIP for 1 year if loan closure is priority.
– Avoid stopping NPS. It gives long-term retirement benefit with tax saving.

Endowment Policies – Time to Reassess
– You are paying Rs. 1L yearly towards endowment plans.
– These plans offer very low return, mostly under 5% post-tax.
– Please check if these policies have completed 5 years.

– If so, check surrender value and maturity status.
– Surrender these policies if loss is minimal and reinvest.
– Reinvest that amount into mutual fund SIP or debt fund.
– This shift will help you grow money better and faster.

– Insurance must be pure protection, not for returns.
– You already have good term insurance of Rs. 3cr.
– That should be continued till retirement age.

Education Corpus for Two Kids – Rs. 1.3 Cr Target
– You expect Rs. 1.3 Cr for both kids’ graduation.
– First child is 13, second child is 5.
– For the elder one, the goal is just 4–5 years away.
– For the younger, you have more time to accumulate.

– Currently you have Rs. 60L in mutual funds and stocks.
– You also invest Rs. 40K monthly in SIPs.
– Separate these investments clearly into goal-specific buckets.
– At least Rs. 20L should be earmarked for elder child’s graduation.
– Increase debt component in this portion gradually now.
– Shift into hybrid and then debt fund fully over next 2–3 years.
– This will protect from market fall closer to college need.

– For second child, you can stay with equity SIP longer.
– SIP of Rs. 20K–25K dedicated for her education can help meet future cost.
– Keep increasing SIPs by 5–10% yearly to beat inflation.
– Do not delay switching asset class once you near the target year.

Retirement Goal – Monthly Income of Rs. 1L After Age 55
– You want to retire by 55 with Rs. 1L per month income.
– This means generating around Rs. 12L income yearly post-retirement.
– This income should ideally last 25–30 years, till age 85.

– You already have Rs. 60L in PF, Rs. 50L in PPF, and Rs. 20L in NPS.
– That is Rs. 1.3 Cr corpus in fixed and semi-fixed retirement tools.
– You also have Rs. 60L in MF and stocks.
– That makes your total current investment corpus Rs. 1.9 Cr.

– Continue NPS and PPF contributions till retirement.
– PPF gives tax-free withdrawal at maturity.
– NPS will give lump sum plus pension income mix.
– But NPS return is capped. Use mutual funds for extra growth.

– From MF, keep minimum Rs. 25L reserved for retirement growth.
– Add SIPs separately for retirement fund only.
– A SIP of Rs. 20K/month for 9 years can help add to the retirement bucket.

– Avoid index funds for retirement. They lack strategy and underperform in volatile Indian markets.
– Actively managed funds give flexibility, tactical rebalancing and better downside protection.
– Choose regular funds through CFP-certified MFD for expert guidance.
– Avoid direct funds as they don’t provide ongoing advice or behavioural discipline.

– After age 52, slowly move equity funds into hybrid and debt.
– Keep at least 2 years’ expenses in liquid funds when you retire.
– This helps avoid withdrawing during market dips.

Property Worth Rs. 3 Cr – Use It Only If Needed
– You own a property worth Rs. 3 Cr in a gated community.
– Treat this as a backup for future.
– You can downsize or rent it post-retirement if needed.
– But do not depend on it as investment.
– Use it only for relocation or emergency planning.
– Avoid selling unless absolutely needed.

Realistic Allocation and Savings Strategy
– Use bonuses, variable pay, or extra income only for prepayment.
– Reduce lifestyle spending by 10–15% for next 3 years.
– Stop endowment premiums and shift that money to mutual fund SIPs.
– If expenses stay at Rs. 1.1L/month, post-retirement lifestyle must adjust.
– Or ensure retirement corpus is large enough to sustain same lifestyle.

– Keep SIPs minimum Rs. 60K/month till retirement age.
– Prefer goal-wise folios: education, retirement, emergency.
– Keep emergency fund of Rs. 3–4L in liquid fund or FD always.

– Do not reduce term insurance till age 55.
– Health cover must be renewed till you get a senior citizen policy.
– Avoid investing in new ULIPs, real estate, or traditional insurance.

MF Taxation to Remember
– Equity fund LTCG above Rs. 1.25L taxed at 12.5%.
– STCG taxed at 20% on equity fund redemptions.
– Debt fund gains taxed as per your income slab.
– Track tax implications before doing lump sum redemptions.
– Plan redemptions in phased manner to reduce tax outgo.

Finally
– You have built a strong foundation with long-term investments.
– Now you need alignment between investments and goals.
– Debt prepayment, retirement and education must be handled simultaneously.
– Pause or reduce non-critical spending for next 3 years.
– Review and rebalance your investments every year.
– Always consult with a Certified Financial Planner to align strategy.

– You can be debt-free in 5 years and retire with dignity at 55.
– With a focused plan, your kids’ education and your peace of mind can be secured.

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

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Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9605 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 24, 2025Hindi
Money
Hello Sir, I am 43 yrs old having two kids studing in 6th and 1st. My monthly salary after deduction 1.5lac, having a car loan as debt. I have 10lac in mf 20lac in stock and 4lac in ppf. I have a a plot of 2k sq ft and planning to make a commercial building for second income. Should I break all my investment or should I take a loan? Plz clarify!
Ans: You have done well in managing your finances so far. Your query about funding the commercial building needs a detailed evaluation. Let me provide clarity from a 360-degree view.

Understanding Your Financial Snapshot
– You are 43 years old.
– Your monthly take-home salary is Rs 1.5 lakh.
– You have two school-going children.
– You are repaying a car loan currently.
– You have investments in mutual funds worth Rs 10 lakh.
– You have stocks worth Rs 20 lakh.
– You have Rs 4 lakh in PPF.
– You also own a plot of 2000 sq. ft.
– You are considering building a commercial property for rental income.

Your financial assets are diversified. This shows responsible financial planning. However, building a commercial property needs deeper analysis. Let me guide you step by step.

Assessing Your Current Financial Safety Net
– First, check your emergency fund.
– Ideally, you should keep 6 to 12 months of expenses.
– You didn’t mention an emergency fund.
– If you don’t have one, build it first.
– This protects your family from job loss or health issues.

– Secondly, review your life and health insurance.
– You did not mention them in your query.
– Check if you have a term life cover of at least 10 to 12 times your annual income.
– Also ensure you and your family have adequate health cover.
– Don’t mix insurance with investment.

– If you have any LIC or money-back or endowment plans, please surrender them.
– Reinvest the proceeds in mutual funds.
– Insurance should only protect your life, not grow your wealth.

Assessing the Commercial Building Plan
– Building a commercial property is a business decision.
– It comes with benefits and risks.
– Rental income can be irregular.
– Tenants may delay payments or vacate suddenly.
– Maintenance costs and property taxes will be ongoing expenses.
– Also, rental yields from commercial property in India are moderate.
– Typically, yields range from 5% to 8% per annum before expenses.
– Construction also takes time and effort.
– Market risks and legal risks are there too.

Instead of locking all your wealth in property, assess diversification. Your financial independence should not depend on just one asset.

Evaluating Whether to Break Investments or Take a Loan
You asked whether to break your investments or take a loan. Let’s examine both options.

Selling Investments:
– If you sell mutual funds, you lose the compounding effect.
– You may also pay capital gains tax.
– Long-term capital gains on equity mutual funds above Rs 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%.
– Short-term gains are taxed at 20%.
– Stocks also attract capital gains taxes when sold.
– Your PPF is a long-term safe investment. Don’t withdraw from PPF.
– PPF helps build your retirement corpus.

Breaking all investments will make your portfolio empty. You will lose diversification. If your business venture fails or delays, you may face a financial crunch. This approach is not advisable.

Taking a Loan:
– A construction loan or a business loan is available from banks.
– Interest rates are around 10% to 13%, depending on your credit profile.
– As your salary is Rs 1.5 lakh monthly, banks may consider you eligible.
– However, you already have a car loan.
– Your total EMI load should not exceed 40% of your take-home salary.
– Else, it will strain your cash flow.

You must plan the EMI so that you continue your family expenses and children’s education easily.

Finding the Balanced Approach
Breaking all your investments is risky. Taking a full loan will increase your EMI burden. A balanced approach is ideal. Here is a possible step-by-step plan:

– First, estimate the total cost of construction. Include legal fees, taxes, and contingencies.
– Next, target funding 20% to 30% of the cost from your existing investments.
– This shows commitment to the bank when applying for a loan.
– Sell part of your stocks if needed, as they are volatile.
– Keep your mutual funds and PPF untouched as far as possible.
– Balance the rest through a loan.

For example:
– If your construction cost is Rs 40 lakh, arrange Rs 8 lakh to Rs 12 lakh from your side.
– Take a loan for the remaining Rs 28 lakh to Rs 32 lakh.
– Your EMI could be Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000 monthly for 10 years, depending on the loan rate.
– Add this EMI to your car loan EMI. Make sure the total EMI is manageable.

Assessing the Future Cash Flow from Rental Income
– Before constructing, assess the rental potential.
– Check the market rent for similar commercial spaces in your area.
– Confirm if your area has demand for retail shops or office spaces.
– Ideally, your rent should cover at least 50% to 75% of your EMI.
– If rental income is uncertain, your salary alone should manage the EMI.

Don’t assume rental income will start immediately. Keep buffer funds for EMI payments in the initial vacant months.

Considering the Impact on Children’s Future Goals
You have two kids studying in 6th and 1st standard. Their higher education is your next major goal. You will need sizeable funds in the next 7 to 12 years.

Breaking all your investments now will disturb your children’s education planning. Keep your mutual funds and PPF aligned for this goal. If you liquidate them now, you will need to restart the savings journey later. This may affect your corpus size due to lost compounding.

Protecting Your Retirement Planning
At 43 years, you are entering your peak earning years. You will retire in the next 15 to 17 years. If you break your investments, your retirement corpus building will get delayed.

PPF is already your retirement reserve. Mutual funds should support it. Stocks are your wealth creation assets. If you sell them all now, you will have to take higher risks later to build your corpus again.

Suggestions to Safeguard Your Long-Term Stability
– Don’t break all investments.
– Take a part loan.
– Keep your retirement and kids’ education funds intact.
– Create a second income, but not at the cost of your financial security.
– Have a written cash flow projection for the next 5 years.
– Include EMI, household expenses, and kids’ school fees in your projection.

Evaluating the Business Risk of Commercial Property
Commercial rental is a business model. It has these risks:
– Demand supply mismatch in the locality.
– Changes in property tax or municipal norms.
– Vacancies during economic downturns.
– Competition from newer commercial buildings.

Your plan should not assume permanent occupancy. Keep buffer cash for 6 months’ EMI.

Step-by-Step Recommended Action Plan
– First, finalise the construction cost estimate.
– Second, set aside your emergency fund and insurance needs.
– Third, allocate 20% to 30% of the cost from your savings.
– Prefer reducing stock exposure rather than mutual funds or PPF.
– Fourth, apply for a construction loan to fund the balance amount.
– Fifth, plan your EMI to stay below 40% of your take-home salary.
– Sixth, continue your SIP in mutual funds for long-term goals.
– Lastly, start building rental contracts before construction completes.

My Analytical Insights on Loans vs Investment Liquidation
Selling investments is a one-time irreversible decision. Loans give you time to repay while your assets grow in value.

If you sell all your assets today, you stop your wealth-building journey. Then you depend only on your job and rental income. If your business struggles, your finances will face stress.

Taking a loan keeps your wealth-building journey intact. You repay the loan from your salary and later rental income. Meanwhile, your mutual funds and PPF continue to compound.

Risk Management Measures to Follow
– Don’t overestimate rental income.
– Keep an emergency reserve of at least Rs 5 lakh.
– Have a health insurance policy of Rs 10 lakh for the family.
– Take a pure term life insurance of Rs 1 crore minimum.
– Review your loans every year. Prepay when you receive bonuses.
– Don’t use credit cards or personal loans to fund construction gaps.
– Continue your investments even during loan repayment.

Alternative Second Income Options
You are already taking the first step towards second income. But also explore:
– Upskilling for freelance work in your profession.
– Investing in diversified mutual funds for long-term passive income.
– Systematic withdrawal from mutual funds after 10 years.

Don’t depend solely on rental income. Diversify your second income sources too.

Finally
Your thought to create a second income is appreciable. But breaking all your investments is not recommended. Instead, take a construction loan and part-fund with your own savings.

This will keep your long-term goals on track and create a steady second income.

Plan your construction, finance, and rental strategy carefully. Review your cash flow, insurance, and family’s needs before starting.

Balance growth, safety, and income sources. That is the smart way to build wealth.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

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

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Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9605 Answers  |Ask -

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

Money
I am 40 yrs old with a take home salary of Rs. 69000. I am planning to take a housing loan of Rs. 4000000 for an emi of Rs 35000/- for 20 yrs. My present savings are as follows: NPS: Rs 2100000 MF: Rs. 200000 PPF: 100000 SSA: 60000 One TATA ULIP policy of SA: Rs. 5000000 Please suggest, if it will be wise to take housing loan of Rs. 4000000/-
Ans: Income vs EMI Assessment
– Your take-home salary is Rs. 69,000 per month.
– Planned EMI is Rs. 35,000 per month.
– That is around 51% of your monthly income.

Observations:
– Ideally, EMIs should not exceed 35%–40% of income.
– Above 50% will reduce flexibility for other needs.
– It may become difficult to handle emergencies or future investments.

Suggestion:
– Try to reduce the EMI by increasing the tenure.
– Or make part-payment to reduce the loan amount.
– Even a Rs. 30,000 EMI will make your finances more stable.

Existing Assets and Liquidity
You have built savings across various instruments:

– NPS: Rs. 21 lakhs (locked till retirement)
– MF: Rs. 2 lakhs (liquid, usable)
– PPF: Rs. 1 lakh (locked)
– Sukanya Samriddhi (SSA): Rs. 60,000 (locked)
– Tata ULIP: Rs. 50 lakhs sum assured

Assessment:
– NPS, PPF and SSA are not easily accessible.
– ULIP has no liquidity in initial years.
– Only mutual funds are partially liquid.
– You don’t have a strong emergency fund.

Suggestion:
– Keep at least Rs. 2–3 lakhs as liquid emergency fund.
– Don’t invest all available funds in down payment.
– Avoid depending on locked savings during loan period.

On Housing Loan Decision
A housing loan has both benefits and responsibilities.

Positives:
– Allows home ownership without using all your savings.
– Offers tax benefits under Sec 80C and Sec 24.
– Fixed EMI creates a forced saving habit.

Risks in Your Case:
– EMI will take up most of your monthly surplus.
– Any unexpected expense can disturb your budget.
– Rising expenses due to family, inflation or health may create stress.
– Delay in income or job change can impact EMI commitment.

ULIP Policy – Needs Review
You mentioned holding a Tata ULIP with Rs. 50 lakhs sum assured.

– ULIPs combine investment and insurance.
– Returns are moderate and expenses are high.
– Early exit incurs charges.
– Long lock-in restricts liquidity.

Suggestion:
– Check how long the policy has run.
– If it is within 5 years, wait till lock-in ends.
– Post lock-in, consider surrendering it.
– Reinvest the value in mutual funds for better returns.
– Buy a separate term insurance for risk protection.

Risk Protection – Missing Term Insurance
You haven’t mentioned having a term insurance policy.

– Housing loan increases your responsibility.
– If something happens to you, your family may struggle.
– ULIP cover may not be sufficient in practical terms.

Suggested Action:
– Buy a term plan of Rs. 50–75 lakhs minimum.
– Premiums are affordable at your age.
– Continue it till loan tenure ends or retirement.
– This ensures loan liability is protected.

Emergency Reserve – Urgently Needed
As of now, your liquid reserves are low.

– Emergency fund should be 6 to 9 months of expenses.
– With EMI, your monthly outflow will rise.
– Any delay in salary or medical issue can cause stress.

Suggestion:
– Immediately build an emergency fund of Rs. 2–3 lakhs.
– Use FDs or liquid mutual funds.
– Don’t depend on credit cards or loans in emergencies.

Children's Education – Future Need Planning
SSA indicates you have a daughter.

– Education costs are rising rapidly.
– SSA alone may not be enough.
– Equity mutual funds with 10–15 year horizon are essential.
– Use SIPs to build a goal-specific corpus.

Don’t allow the home loan to consume all your surplus. Future goals must continue to get funded.

Retirement Planning – Strong Start but Needs Support
You have Rs. 21 lakhs in NPS. That’s a good beginning.

– But NPS alone may not be enough.
– You will need Rs. 3–4 crores for retirement at age 60.
– After paying home loan EMIs, ensure SIPs continue.
– Also, equity mutual funds offer flexibility and higher liquidity.

Housing Loan Alternatives – Considerable
You are planning for Rs. 40 lakhs loan with Rs. 35,000 EMI.

Alternatives to Think About:
– Can you arrange Rs. 5–10 lakhs more as down payment?
– This will reduce EMI and interest burden.
– A Rs. 30 lakh loan may keep EMI closer to Rs. 25,000.
– That fits better with your current salary.

Also, don’t rely on future increments to justify higher EMI now. Keep buffer from the start.

Overall Investment Behaviour – Scope for Streamlining
You are saving in multiple options. But there's duplication.

– NPS, PPF, and SSA all offer long lock-in.
– Too much long-term locking restricts flexibility.
– Mutual funds should be increased for liquidity and wealth creation.

Suggested Course:
– Gradually increase SIPs as income grows.
– Reduce dependence on locked options.
– Take help from a CFP-backed MFD for fund selection.

Avoid investing randomly or based on past performance.

Mutual Funds – Positive Start
You have Rs. 2 lakhs in mutual funds.

– Good initiative, but needs consistency.
– Continue SIPs even after loan begins.
– Choose 2–3 funds across flexi-cap, balanced and mid-cap.
– Avoid sector or index-based funds.

Regular funds with CFP-led MFD support will guide you better. Avoid direct route and DIY errors.

Tax Saving – Reasonably Covered
You are contributing to:

– NPS (under Sec 80CCD)
– PPF and SSA (under Sec 80C)
– Home loan interest (will be eligible under Sec 24)

Suggestions:
– Don’t invest just to save tax.
– Make tax planning part of goal-based investing.
– Don’t mix life insurance and tax savings.

Housing Loan and Goal Balance
Your goal should not only be buying a house.

– Ensure you can continue SIPs after EMI starts.
– Allocate funds for emergencies and health.
– Don’t ignore retirement and child’s future planning.

Loan is long-term. It should not become a financial trap.

Finally
– You have good savings habits.
– But the planned EMI is too high for your salary.
– Try to reduce EMI to 35–40% of income.
– Maintain emergency fund and term cover before loan.
– Review and exit the ULIP post lock-in.
– SIPs and liquid assets must continue along with loan.

A home is important, but not at the cost of financial peace.

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9605 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 23, 2025Hindi
Money
Myself: FD-5 lakhs, Stocks-1.5L, MF-3.7L, EPF-1.6L. I do 15K SIP in MF and 5K SIP in stocks every month. Spouse: FD- 10L, MF SIP-10K monthly. We both have an active RD of 10K per month and health insurance of 2L each (in addition to 2L provided for each by my company). We together earn 1.8L monthly. Housing loan EMI of 55K monthly to be paid for next 10 years. We also have life insurance cover. We both are 30 yrs old with kids planned in next 2 years. How can we plan our investments? Are our SIPs enough for a target corpus of atleast 3 crore for retirement and child's future?Is the health insurance cover adequate?
Ans: You and your spouse are doing many things right. Starting early, investing regularly, and insuring health and life show good financial discipline. But building a Rs. 3 crore corpus needs smart tweaks. Let's look at your situation in a 360-degree way and give actionable steps.

Income, Expenses and Surplus Review
– Your combined monthly income is Rs. 1.8L.
– You pay Rs. 55k EMI for housing. That’s 30% of income. Acceptable level.
– You are investing Rs. 40K monthly (SIPs in MF, stocks, and RDs combined).
– That’s 22% of income. Good start, but should aim for 35–40% to reach your goals.
– It’s important to check your household spending. Create monthly surplus by trimming non-essential spends.
– This surplus is what will feed your investment growth.

Assessment of Your Insurance Coverage
##Health Insurance Review
– Each of you has Rs. 2L individual health cover + Rs. 2L from company.
– That’s a total of Rs. 4L per person.
– But this is not enough in today's medical environment.
– A hospital bill of Rs. 5L can come for a single surgery.
– With kids planned, you need better protection.
– Upgrade to at least Rs. 10L family floater policy outside your employer.
– Company health cover stops if you resign or change jobs.
– So, own health cover of Rs. 10L is essential.

##Life Insurance Review
– You mentioned having life insurance but didn’t give details.
– If it’s a term plan, then great. But check coverage.
– At age 30, with future child responsibilities and a housing loan, term cover should be Rs. 1.5Cr each.
– Avoid ULIPs or endowment policies. They give low returns and mix goals.
– Term insurance is low cost and gives high coverage.

Analysis of Existing Investments
##Fixed Deposits (FD)
– You have Rs. 5L and spouse has Rs. 10L in FDs. Total Rs. 15L.
– FDs are safe but don’t beat inflation. Interest is fully taxable.
– You should not keep more than 6 months' expenses and short-term needs in FD.
– Rest should be shifted slowly to mutual funds for better long-term growth.
– Use FD only for emergency fund, not wealth creation.

##Recurring Deposits (RD)
– You both invest Rs. 10K monthly in RD.
– RD gives fixed returns and taxable interest.
– Like FD, RD is not suitable for retirement or child's future.
– Redirect your RD amount into mutual fund SIPs gradually.
– Start with 50% shift in 3 months, then increase later.

##Mutual Funds
– You invest Rs. 15K monthly. Spouse invests Rs. 10K.
– Total Rs. 25K monthly SIP. This is a strong habit.
– Your corpus is Rs. 3.7L now.
– But for Rs. 3Cr goal, you need to invest more over time.
– You should raise SIP by 10% yearly at least.
– This is possible if income grows and loans reduce.

– Also, use actively managed funds only.
– Avoid index funds. They just copy the market with no expert strategy.
– In falling markets, index funds crash with no protection.
– In contrast, actively managed funds are handled by professionals who switch sectors smartly.
– That improves long-term returns and lowers risk.

– Use regular plans through a Certified Financial Planner, not direct plans.
– Direct plans give no support. They suit only experienced full-time investors.
– Regular plans through a CFP give goal planning, fund selection, review, and emotional guidance.
– For your Rs. 3Cr goal, expert help is essential.

##Stock SIP
– You invest Rs. 5K monthly in stocks.
– Stock SIPs work only if you research each company.
– Else, you may underperform or take high risk.
– Limit stock SIP to Rs. 5K only.
– Focus more on mutual funds for long-term compounding.

##EPF Investment
– You have Rs. 1.6L in EPF.
– EPF is good for retirement as it is safe and compulsory.
– But don’t depend only on EPF.
– Combine EPF with mutual fund SIPs to create long-term wealth.
– EPF returns are limited and fixed annually.

Housing Loan Assessment
– You have Rs. 55K EMI for 10 more years.
– That’s a big part of your income, but manageable now.
– Try prepaying small lumpsums yearly if possible.
– That will save interest and finish loan earlier.
– Once EMI is over, that Rs. 55K can go into SIPs.
– That will push your wealth creation faster after 10 years.

Emergency Fund Planning
– You have Rs. 15L in FD. That’s enough for emergencies and upcoming maternity costs.
– Keep at least 6 to 9 months’ worth of expenses here.
– But move the rest slowly into better investment options.
– You can also consider liquid or ultra-short mutual funds for part of the emergency fund.

Planning for Kids – Education and Expenses
– Kids are expected in 2 years.
– Start planning from now.
– Education inflation is high. A private college can cost Rs. 40L to Rs. 1Cr in future.
– You should start a separate mutual fund SIP of Rs. 5K for each child.
– Once kids are born, increase it slowly.
– Keep a dedicated goal-based portfolio – don’t mix with other funds.
– Add children's name as goal title.
– Use actively managed equity mutual funds only.
– Don’t invest children’s money in FDs or RDs.

Retirement Planning Towards Rs. 3 Crore Goal
– You are targeting Rs. 3Cr for retirement + child future.
– With current SIP of Rs. 25K and 30 years time, it is possible.
– But you must increase SIP every year.
– Also, RD and FD money should move to mutual funds slowly.
– Equity mutual funds give 11–13% returns over long term.
– This return is much better than FD (5.5% to 7%).
– Don’t touch retirement funds for other goals.
– Keep it separate, long-term, and growing with expert-managed mutual funds.

Tax Planning and Capital Gains Awareness
– Mutual funds are tax efficient compared to FD or RD.
– If you sell equity mutual funds after 1 year, gains up to Rs. 1.25L are tax-free.
– Gains above Rs. 1.25L taxed at 12.5%.
– If sold before 1 year, 20% STCG applies.
– Debt funds taxed as per your income tax slab.
– Plan redemptions smartly with CFP to save tax.

What Should You Change or Improve
– Increase health insurance cover to Rs. 10L floater (independent of company).
– If you hold any LIC, ULIP, or endowment policies, surrender and reinvest.
– Reduce FD/RD usage and move slowly to mutual funds.
– Don’t use direct mutual funds or index funds.
– Choose regular plans with Certified Financial Planner guidance.
– Review and upgrade life insurance if not Rs. 1.5Cr minimum.
– Keep emergency fund ready for 9 months' expenses.
– Start goal-based SIPs for kids now, not later.
– Raise your SIPs by 10% annually.
– Try to repay housing loan early if bonuses or surplus comes.

Finally
You are already doing a good job. You have structure and savings habit. That’s rare at age 30.

But to reach a Rs. 3Cr corpus, every rupee needs to work efficiently. That happens only when FD and RD are reduced, and equity mutual funds are increased.

Also, health cover must be boosted before children arrive.
Insurance, planning, and growth must all work together.
You don’t need more products. You need better use of existing ones with expert guidance.

With discipline and tweaks, your goals are very achievable. Stick to the plan and review it every year.

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9605 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 23, 2025Hindi
Money
I am 39 years old have a 1.5 year old daughter ..I have around planning for her higher education and want every month need a fixed income for her around 25000 after 12 years so that she can get her own expenses 20 lakhs in pf for me and my wife retirement Paying Lic premium of 32000 yearly for me and my wife retirement Have around 8 lakhs of FD that is invested for coming 5 years Having 72000 of mutual fund for me and my wife retirement Have invested around 11 lakhs in mutuals for my daughter and currently investing 12000 as sip every month Have an nps vastalya for my daughter have aroubd 52000 invested and do lump sump investment whenever I have spare money to invest Have gold around 100 grams for my daughter So much will my 11 lakhs of mutual fund generate in next 20 years for my daughters higher education Also if I need 25000 every month for my daughter after 12 years how much to invest lump sump or where do I invest I have a scope to invest 2/3 lakhs lump sump one shot or partly Also for her marriage will need around 20 lakhs how to achieve this target
Ans: Current Mutual Fund Investment for Daughter's Higher Education
You have invested Rs. 11 lakhs in mutual funds for your daughter.
Also, you are investing Rs. 12,000 every month through SIP.
This is a very good foundation for long-term growth.

Over 20 years, mutual funds can deliver compounding returns.
If the fund performs steadily, the value may grow well.
Mutual funds offer better inflation-beating potential than FDs or gold.

But returns depend on fund type, consistency, and market cycles.
Assuming decent long-term growth, your Rs. 11 lakh can grow significantly.
Your monthly SIP of Rs. 12,000 adds more power to the compounding.

This combined investment has potential to reach a healthy corpus.
It could very well support her higher education needs in future.

But we must track and reallocate it every 4-5 years.
This ensures the investment stays aligned with your goal timeline.

Goal: Monthly Income of Rs. 25,000 After 12 Years
You want your daughter to get Rs. 25,000 every month after 12 years.
This is a goal similar to creating a future income stream.

This means you are planning to build a corpus by then.
That corpus can then give a steady income through withdrawals.

To receive Rs. 25,000 monthly, the corpus needs to be large.
If you aim to give her that for 10 years, plan accordingly.
This future value will be impacted by inflation.

You have two options now — monthly SIP or lump sum.
You mentioned you can invest Rs. 2 to 3 lakhs as lump sum.
It is better to invest in a diversified equity mutual fund now.

Lump sum gives growth if markets stay stable in long-term.
But split it into 3–4 instalments across next 6 months.
This smooths out market volatility risk.

Also, increase SIP by 5–10% every year as income grows.
This will help build more value over the next 12 years.

Later, when your daughter is 12–13 years old, reduce equity.
Shift slowly to hybrid and debt funds as the time nears.
That way, returns are protected from short-term risk.

Goal: Rs. 20 Lakhs for Daughter’s Marriage
You want Rs. 20 lakhs for her marriage.
Let’s assume this goal is around 20–22 years from now.
This gives you time to grow funds with equity exposure.

You already have 100 grams of gold set aside.
This is a helpful backup for wedding jewellery or support.

For the main corpus of Rs. 20 lakhs, equity mutual funds work best.
You may create a separate folio just for this goal.
Invest part of your future bonuses or incentives here.

Do small annual lump sum contributions along with monthly SIP.
Avoid relying fully on gold or fixed deposits for this.
Gold may not beat inflation consistently over 20 years.

Do not invest in gold ETF or digital gold also.
Physical gold held already is more than sufficient.

Retirement Assets and Planning Overview
You have Rs. 20 lakhs in PF between you and your wife.
Also, LIC policies with Rs. 32,000 annual premium.

LIC plans often give lower returns with long lock-ins.
They combine insurance and investment – which is inefficient.
You may check surrender value of these plans now.

If surrender is allowed with reasonable exit charges, consider it.
Reinvest the proceeds into diversified mutual funds for retirement.

You also have Rs. 72,000 in mutual funds for retirement.
This is a small amount so far.
Please consider starting a monthly SIP of Rs. 8,000 to 10,000 for retirement.

This can go in an aggressive hybrid or large-cap fund.
Continue for next 15 years and reduce risk later gradually.

Your FDs of Rs. 8 lakhs are good for safety.
But they don’t give high growth after tax.
Renew only a portion of them as fixed deposits after 5 years.
Shift part to mutual fund STP after 5 years if you need liquidity.

NPS for Daughter – Vatsalya Account
NPS Vatsalya is a long-term, disciplined option.
Rs. 52,000 invested so far is a good beginning.
You can do lump sum additions every year to this.

NPS has lock-in till child turns 18.
So, you are secure from unnecessary withdrawals.

But do not depend only on this for education.
It will help as a support, but returns are limited by structure.

You can use it later for her PG or marriage fund top-up.

Suggestions on Structuring New Investments
– Allocate Rs. 2–3 lakhs lump sum over next 3–6 months.
– Invest in diversified multi-cap or large & mid-cap funds.
– Prefer regular plans through a CFP-certified MFD.
– Avoid direct mutual funds. They offer no expert support or handholding.
– Direct funds also lack performance tracking and rebalancing.
– Regular funds offer better behavioural support and fund selection.

– Continue Rs. 12,000 SIP for daughter’s education.
– Create another SIP of Rs. 5,000 to 7,000 for marriage goal.
– Gradually increase SIPs by 10% every year if possible.
– Monitor fund performance every year with your MFD.
– Switch from equity to balanced or hybrid funds when goal is 3 years away.

Actionable Next Steps
– Review LIC policies. If they are endowment/ULIP, assess surrender value.
– Use a part of your FDs to start a child marriage SIP.
– Create a separate goal-wise investment plan using different folios.
– Make sure to review portfolio every year with a Certified Financial Planner.
– Tag your mutual fund folios clearly (education, marriage, retirement).
– Keep at least 6 months of household expenses in FD or liquid fund as emergency.

– Start a SIP of Rs. 8,000 per month for your and wife’s retirement.
– Invest in actively managed equity funds, not index funds.
– Index funds lack flexibility and may underperform in Indian market conditions.
– Active funds offer better downside protection and human-managed strategies.

Finally
Your long-term thinking for your daughter is inspiring.
You are already taking excellent steps with mutual funds and NPS.
This shows a deep commitment to her future and your own retirement.

But goals like monthly income for daughter and marriage need structured planning.
Mutual funds offer best combination of growth, flexibility, and liquidity.
You also need to shift from insurance-based investments to pure financial ones.

With regular review and small SIP increases, you can reach all three major goals.
Your daughter’s education, marriage, and your own retirement can all be covered.
Do not hesitate to make goal-specific portfolios for clarity.

Every rupee invested with purpose will give peace of mind tomorrow.

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

...Read more

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |9605 Answers  |Ask -

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

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 23, 2025Hindi
Money
Hello Sir, I am 40 years old. And I want to retire at 45. By 45 years I would have 4 crores after tax. we are family of 4. By age 45 kids will be 10 and 6 years old. Can I retire at 45 if I keep my 4 crores in SWP and withdraw 1.2 lakhs monthly. I will live on my own home. How long will it last. Can it cover my old age until 80 years? Education for both kids and marriage.
Ans: Personal Situation Assessment
– You are 40 years old.

– Your family has four members.

– Children will be 10 and 6 years old when you retire.

– You plan to retire at 45 years.

– You estimate Rs 4 crores as your retirement corpus.

– You will withdraw Rs 1.2 lakhs monthly through SWP.

– You will live in your own home. No rent liability.

– You expect your corpus to cover living, children’s education, and marriage until 80 years.

– This is a sincere and bold retirement goal.

– Early retirement needs strict financial discipline and constant portfolio monitoring.

– Let’s now assess each part of your situation practically.

Monthly Withdrawal Expectation
– You want Rs 1.2 lakhs per month through SWP.

– This equals Rs 14.4 lakhs annually.

– Over 35 years of retirement, this sum becomes huge.

– Inflation will increase your monthly needs.

– After 10-15 years, Rs 1.2 lakhs won’t be enough.

– Cost of children’s education, healthcare, and other living costs will rise.

– Therefore, this withdrawal strategy needs adjustment over time.

Can Rs 4 Crores Sustain Your Life Until 80?
– Withdrawing Rs 1.2 lakhs monthly from Rs 4 crores is a 3.6% annual withdrawal initially.

– This withdrawal seems fine in the short term.

– But inflation will erode the value of this withdrawal.

– At 6% inflation, your expenses will double in about 12 years.

– So, by age 57, your monthly need may be around Rs 2.5 lakhs.

– If your investments generate less than this, your corpus will shrink.

– You need your investments to earn higher than inflation after tax and SWP.

– Else, the corpus will start reducing early.

– From a 360-degree perspective, the corpus alone may not last till 80.

– Education and marriage costs for two kids will further reduce the corpus.

– Healthcare expenses from age 60 onwards will rise sharply.

– Your plan could work until around age 60-65 if unmanaged.

– For lifelong survival until 80 years, additional income sources or corpus are needed.

Assessing the SWP Route
– SWP is a smart strategy for steady income.

– But withdrawing from growth funds may create tax implications.

– When equity mutual funds are sold, capital gains apply.

– As per new rules:

LTCG above Rs 1.25 lakh is taxed at 12.5%.

STCG is taxed at 20%.

– If you use debt funds for SWP, income is taxed as per your slab.

– Tax will eat into your withdrawals.

– Therefore, your actual available income will be lower.

– Also, market volatility may affect your portfolio growth.

– Withdrawal when the market is down will erode your capital faster.

– Hence, you need a diversified, actively managed mutual fund portfolio.

Why Avoid Index Funds in Retirement
– Some may suggest index funds for retirement SWP.

– But index funds do not protect you during market downturns.

– They simply mirror the index movements.

– They don’t rebalance or protect capital during market volatility.

– This increases your risk when you need stable withdrawals.

– On the other hand, actively managed funds provide better risk-adjusted returns.

– A Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Mutual Fund Distributor (MFD) can suggest better active fund options.

– Active funds also reduce overlap and give better style diversification.

– They help you plan growth and safety for retirement life.

Why Avoid Direct Mutual Funds for Retirement
– Some investors think direct funds save commissions.

– But direct funds provide no financial advice.

– In retirement, you will need timely rebalancing and safety checks.

– Direct funds don’t give personalised support.

– Regular funds through a CFP and MFD provide advice, handholding, and annual reviews.

– They will help to:

Manage market volatility.

Plan for kids’ education and marriage.

Adjust withdrawal rates.

Balance equity and debt exposure.

– Regular plan’s commission is an investment in professional guidance.

– For retirement life, support is far more important than saving small fees.

Managing Kids’ Education and Marriage
– You mentioned you need to fund education and marriage.

– Children’s higher education will happen around your age 50-55.

– Marriage could be around your age 60-65.

– These are high-cost goals.

– You will need to carve out separate funds for these.

– Withdrawals for these events will further reduce your retirement corpus.

– Estimate both these goals today with your Certified Financial Planner.

– Then, create two separate goal-based mutual fund portfolios.

– Do not use your main retirement corpus for these.

– Else, you may run short during your old age.

Risks of Early Retirement
– Retiring at 45 gives you no fresh income source.

– You will be dependent fully on your corpus.

– Any unexpected expense can shake your plan.

– Examples are:

Healthcare emergencies.

Higher education costs.

Inflation spikes.

Market crashes.

– Therefore, early retirees must plan even better than normal retirees.

– You cannot afford trial-and-error in this phase.

– Your margin of safety is low.

Recommended Investment Strategy for Retirement
– Invest in actively managed equity and hybrid mutual funds.

– Allocate a part to short-term debt and liquid funds.

– Maintain an emergency fund for 12-18 months of expenses.

– Rebalance the portfolio every year.

– Withdraw through SWP only from stable funds.

– Use equity growth for long-term inflation-beating returns.

– Shift gradually towards hybrid and debt as you age.

– Take guidance from a CFP to reallocate as market conditions change.

– Keep separate goal-based portfolios for kids’ education and marriage.

– Avoid taking extra risks by investing in direct funds or index funds.

Long-Term Sustainability
– With proper asset allocation, your money may last till 75 years.

– Beyond that, the corpus may fall short unless returns are very high.

– If you ignore inflation, you may outlive your corpus.

– Healthcare, family emergencies, or market losses will worsen this.

– Unless planned well, you may face shortages at 70+.

– Periodic review every year is essential.

– Your CFP should recalculate the corpus sustainability every 12-24 months.

Lifestyle Adjustment and Income Planning
– You may have to reduce expenses in later years.

– Consider part-time consulting or business for some years after retirement.

– Passive income like royalty, online work, or freelance could help.

– If your wife can work part-time, it adds safety.

– Focus on health in retirement to avoid large medical costs.

Healthcare and Insurance Readiness
– Ensure you have a Rs 20-25 lakh family floater health insurance.

– Add critical illness and personal accident cover before retirement.

– Premiums are cheaper now than in old age.

– Create a healthcare buffer fund aside from your SWP portfolio.

– This keeps your SWP portfolio intact during medical emergencies.

Should You Postpone Retirement to 50?
– Retiring at 50 instead of 45 will give you:

Extra corpus growth for 5 years.

Higher compound interest.

Better preparation for kids’ education.

Stronger healthcare coverage.

– Your retirement corpus could increase by 50-80% in 5 years.

– This will make your retirement much more sustainable.

– If possible, postpone retirement by 3-5 years.

Alternative Withdrawal Strategy
– Instead of flat Rs 1.2 lakhs withdrawal, start with lower SWP.

– Withdraw 3%-3.5% of corpus in initial years.

– Increase withdrawal slowly with inflation.

– This will give your corpus more time to grow.

– Discuss these withdrawal models with your CFP.

Summary Evaluation of Your Plan
– Rs 4 crore corpus at age 45 is a good start.

– But this may not be enough for lifelong expenses, education, and marriage.

– Without new income, your money may last till 70-75 years, not 80.

– Large education and marriage expenses may deplete your funds faster.

– Market returns and inflation will control how long your corpus lasts.

– Regular plan mutual funds through a CFP and MFD give better protection.

– Direct funds and index funds are unsuitable due to lack of risk management.

– You need annual reviews and ongoing adjustments post-retirement.

What You Should Do Next
– Reassess your Rs 1.2 lakh monthly need.

– Factor in inflation and future lifestyle changes.

– Build a separate education and marriage fund.

– Review your health insurance cover.

– Discuss all retirement and family goals with your Certified Financial Planner.

– Recheck your corpus sustainability every year post-retirement.

– Stay invested in actively managed mutual funds with a dynamic allocation.

– Keep liquidity for emergencies and market corrections.

– Postpone retirement by a few years if feasible to increase safety.

Finally
– Your early retirement goal is bold but needs more preparation.

– Rs 4 crores may support you till 65-70, but not till 80 confidently.

– Without additional sources of income, old age could be financially tough.

– SWP alone will not safeguard you from inflation and family goals.

– A Certified Financial Planner can build a 360-degree plan for your retirement.

– Regular mutual funds, dynamic allocation, and periodic review will help achieve stability.

– Postpone retirement to strengthen your plan if possible.

– Prioritise health insurance, goal-based portfolios, and ongoing financial advice.

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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