Saving enough for retirement and diversifying income sources are critical concerns for many individuals. While some fortunate individuals who have consistently contributed to their retirement funds throughout their careers may rely on those funds, it may not be sufficient for everyone to maintain their desired lifestyle or live comfortably in retirement.
When it comes to retirement planning, there are various financial instruments available for investment to build your retirement corpus. Since this is a long-term investment and you won’t need immediate income from it, you have more flexibility in choosing how to allocate your funds. If you aim to create a substantial corpus, a debt-to-equity ratio of 50:50 might be suitable.
Equity Options
Investing in stocks as early as possible is crucial if you want to build a retirement fund that has time to grow. Equities and equity-related securities, such as mutual funds, offer unmatched returns compared to other investment vehicles. If you find stocks too risky, you can consider solution-oriented retirement funds as part of your equity allocation for your retirement corpus.
Focusing on dividend-paying equities is another strategy to boost your retirement income. When done correctly, it can generate significant monthly dividend income.
Debt Options
The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) is one of the top options in terms of return rate. This scheme is specifically designed for employees in the organized private sector. Currently, it offers an annual return rate of 8.10% and is eligible for tax deductions of up to Rs 1.5 lakh under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961. It also enjoys EEE tax status, which means the returns are tax-exempt.
Next on the list is the Public Provident Fund (PPF). This scheme is a long-term investment option that provides an attractive rate of return on investment. The interest and withdrawals are tax-free under the Income Tax Act.
To participate in the PPF, one needs to open a PPF account, and the amount deposited during the year is deductible under Section 80C. It offers the same benefits as EPF. You can contribute anywhere between Rs 500 and Rs 1.5 lakh annually to keep the account active. The current return rate is 7.10%, and rates are revised quarterly.
National Pension Scheme (NPS)
The National Pension Scheme (NPS) is a retirement option offered by the Central Government of India, which combines debt and equity based on individual preferences and age. It is a retirement investment solution tailored to specific needs.
Citizens between the ages of 18 and 70 can open NPS accounts. NPS requires a minimum contribution of Rs 1000 to the account balance each year until retirement. Upon maturity, around 60% of the funds can be withdrawn, while the remaining 40% must be used to purchase an annuity, ensuring a steady income after retirement.
NPS provides a tax deduction of up to Rs 1.5 lakh under Section 80C and an additional deduction of Rs. 50,000 under Section 80CCD (1b).
Bottom Line
Protecting your hard-earned money is crucial, so it’s essential to diversify your investments over multiple years to avoid catching a market high. While this approach may result in short-term losses and prevent you from investing when the market is at its peak, it is critical to do so to mitigate risks and ensure long-term stability for your retirement savings.
