Want to retire by the time you are 45-years-old? How to save, invest for your retirement

Not many investors know whether they have invested in the right funds and if their fund portfolio is on track. The Portfolio Doctor assesses the health of the fund portfolio, examines the schemes and their suitability with regard to the goals and, if required, recommends corrective measures. The advice given is based on the performance of the funds, the risk profile of the investor as well as his financial goals.

Surya Gangwar is saving for his child’s education and retirement. Here’s what the doctor says:

PORTFOLIO CHECK-UP

• Investing in mix of equity, hybrid and debt mutual funds for past 10 years.
• Started with ELSS funds and later added other schemes.
• Early start has helped build large corpus.
• Portfolio has foreign equity skew. Need to cut China exposure.
• Education goal can be reached easily with existing SIPs.
• Retirement at 45 seems ambitious but 10% annual hike in SIPs will help achieve it.

Note from the doctor

• Sectoral funds are volatile. Stick to diversified schemes.
• Direct equity investments require time and expertise. Consider mutual funds instead.
• Review investments and rebalance at least once in a year.
• Reduce risk when goal is near so that you don’t miss the target.

Switch out of underperforming schemes
Dinesh Chaturvedi is saving for his child’s education and marriage. Here’s what the doctor has advised:

PORTFOLIO CHECK-UP

• Investing in equity funds for past 6-7 years.
• Small hike in SIPs every year will help reach targets.
• Review mutual fund portfolio at least once a year. Change if any fund’s performance slips.
• Reduce risk when goal is near so that you don’t miss the target.

WRITE TO US FOR HELP
If you want your portfolio examined, write to etwealth@timesgroup.com with “Portfolio Doctor” as the subject. Mention the following information:

• Names of the funds you hold.
• Current value of the investment.
• If you have SIPs running in any of them.
• The financial goals for which you invested.
• How much you need for each financial goal.
• How far away is each goal.