Retirement Kitty

EPF is in urgent need of an overhaul

EPF, Governments, Press / By /

A friend recently found himself facing court summons for an EPF default that happened 15 years ago—long after the problem was resolved. Another, a high-earning professional, is stuck contributing to EPF even though he no longer wants to, losing out on better investment options.
Why? Because once you’re inside the EPF Chakravyuh, there’s no way out. Meanwhile, NPS offers flexibility, investment choice to employees and no criminal liabilities for employers —but employees and employers alike are denied a real choice.
Truth be told, the system needs urgent reform. But will it ever change?
📖 Read the full article (4 minute read) in Business Standard to see why the rigidity of the EPF system affects every employer and employee and the employment generating potential of India itself.

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Give retirees choice of variable annuities

Press / By /

🔍 Give retirees a choice?

Prakash, a retiree is being forced into a “guaranteed” but low return annuity plan. After taking calculated risks by partly investing in equity and building a Rs. 1 crore retirement corpus in NPS, he is forced into a low-return “guaranteed” pension that cant beat inflation. What if he had a choice? Globally, retirees can pick variable pension payout products (PPPs). In India? No choice.

Why are we treating retirees like children who need financial babysitting? Mutual Fund investors have already understood that “Guaranteed” equals “Low returns” and have reaped the benefits from taking calculated risks through equity. It’s time retirees got the same choice.

📖 Harsh’s “Truth be told” column in Business Standard.

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Investing for children: Buy house or opt for MFs?

Financial, Investments, Personal Finance / By /

Meera, a high flying corporate executive, was bent on using the money earned from her ESOPs to buy a second house as an investment which could be passed on to her children later. Her spouse Karan was against it as it would mean postponing their retirement plan. Harsh’s article in Business Standard on how Karan and Harsh managed to convince Meera to invest the money into financial assets instead. “You do not buy a cow today just because you may need milk years later. You make sure you have the money to buy the cow should you require it later” was one of the arguments that helped to convince Meera.

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Retirement: Embrace holistic planning

Personal Finance, Press / By /

There is more to retirement planning than ensuring enough monetary corpus to last out a long retired life (almost as long as the working career itself). Unfortunately, even corporate executives nearing retirement, do not think about retirement at all and the few who do, concentrate on the monetary resources required for retired life. As the example of my friend Yogesh shows even a well planned retirement plan can have it’s twists and turns but is better than none at all. Harsh’s article in the business standard. Your comments and suggestions are welcome as always.

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Avoid financial dependence on children post retirement

Financial, Press / By /

You are likely to live well into your eighties or nineties & there is a distinct possibility you will spend the last few years of your life being physically dependent on your children. You have an obligation to work on your wellness to minimise that possibility. Like the airline announcement about putting on your own oxygen mask first before helping others, make provision for your own (and your spouse’s) retired life before distributing the deceptively “large” looking retirement kitty among your children. Involve your spouse in every discussion to avoid making the spouse dependent on the children after your death. Also, make a clear will to avoid disputes among your children. On investment of the retirement kitty remember the old saying that a fool and his money is invited to every wedding in town. Make an effort to get invited to the good weddings in town. Don’t be lazy and only choose from the weddings you get invited to. Harsh Roongta’s article in Business standard today

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