NEW NPS, EPF RULES: TIME TO TEST YOUR RETIREMENT PLAN?
India’s retirement landscape is abuzz with a series of new developments. Several recentannouncements concerning the national pension system (NPS) and the employee provident fund(EPF) promise to make retirement products less rigid. Changes to NPS guidelinesA new Multiple Scheme Framework (MSF) has been introduced under the National Pension System(NPS), allowing pension fund managers (PFMs) to design
Information from peer groups & social media cannot guide financial planning
A recent survey report – the Investor Survey 2025 from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), in collaboration with the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) and key market infrastructure institutions such as NSE, BSE, NSDL, and CDSL, provides interesting insights about Indian households and their participation in the securities market. Despite
REALTY VS EQUITY: IS A SECOND HOUSE AN INVESTMENT?
For decades, investment in real estate was considered a surefire way to wealth. But does that still hold true today? With rising costs, low yields, and better alternatives, the case for a second property as an investment needs a hard look. First, the math! While many believe that real estate gives easy double-digit returns, the
Mistakes to avoid with the emergency fund
It is well known that the emergency fund is an absolute necessity for every family. During the Covid time, it was top of mind for people, however it is not given that much importance now. Life is full of surprises – not all pleasant and that’s where the emergency fund will come in use. The
Should one prioritise settling high-cost loans? It depends
Taking debt is easy, repaying it is not. One dilemma borrowers face is on deciding which loan to prioritise for prepayment. A common approach is to repay high-interest rate loans (such as personal loans, credit card loans, etc., which carry high interest rates) first, as it means getting rid of a high-cost loan. But is this always
Crypto craze: Should you join the party?
Bitcoin prices recently crossed $1,20,000 which translates to almost 90% year on year return! No wonder investor interest in cryptocurrencies is back roaring. A recent report points to Gen Z under 35 years making up 71% of India’s cryptocurrency investors. Investors are pumping more money into cryptocurrencies driven by quick returns and favourable global trends.
What is mis-selling and how to safeguard yourself from it.
Mis-selling of financial products is becoming more and more rampant. While insurance policies may lead the pack in terms of wealth lost, there are many instances of mis-selling in mutual funds and even products like corporate bonds. Data from the insurance regulator IRDAI shows that over 60,000 complaints of unfair business practices were filed in
The risks of pitching your money in unregulated assets
Of late, investors, especially the younger ones, have got on to the bandwagon of making quick returns. For them investments like gold or equities are for the older generation. This isn’t to say they do not invest in those assets. However, their focus is on newer, more exotic investments which give higher returns, such as
Is investing in corporate bonds worth the risk?
Those wanting higher returns from debt investments can consider credit risk funds. These invest 80-85 percent of their portfolio in AAA and AA rated bonds, and the balance in A rated bonds. Corporate bonds are debt instruments issued by public sector or private companies. With volatile equity markets, many investors are enquiring about corporate bonds due
Keep calm, stay invested…this too shall pass
When markets decline and fear sets in, investors feel it is better to sell off investments and shift to cash, with the hope of getting back in when the market outlook feels more promising. After 29 years, the Nifty 50 has had the longest losing streak with a continuous correction over the last 5 months.