Article by Munish Gupta

Our society structure is undergoing a rapid transformation. People aged over 65 are outnumbering those aged under 64. In some developed nations the ratio of those aged over 65 to those aged under 64 years is projected to drop to as much as 1:1 which implies there is one younger person for every older person. If you see the trend it would become so difficult for European countries and US to be able to afford and pay benefits to the seniors and the retired people.

While financial freedom is something we all look forward to how many of us really plan a strategy to achieve that financial security or independence after retirement, without depending on benefits from government? Very few may be. Financial planning with a retirement strategy is ideally done through the services offered by a financial planner because he/she has a greater knowledge, experience and efficiency to provide you a safer financial future. With growing financial uncertainties it is all the more crucial to plan a strategy that ensures you a complete financial backup once you retire. The following are the key points that your financial planning should include:

Read the rest of this entry

Read the rest of this entry

Read the rest of this entry

Read the rest of this entry

Read the rest of this entry

Read the rest of this entry

Most of the people I have met have not planned for their retirement as they say ‘future is unpredictable and we need to live in present’ but my dear friend’s future is the outcome of present, our present will decide our future. When we think of retirement we generally think of old age, a period when you have to give up the job and sit at home doing nothing. Contrary to the fact, most of the retiree lives a very active life. We need to seriously consider out planning towards retirement because once we retiree our income stops coming but our expenses remain as it is and in some cases it rises with the rising inflation.

In this regard mutual fund has turned out to be the right answer for making retirement planning easier and safer. Mutual fund being managed by professionals is a key to effective retirement planning.

Read the rest of this entry

Tax planning has changed radically over a period of time. Since its time for filling income tax returns for 2007-2008 as the end date (31st march’ 08) is approaching. As a tax payer you need to understand the best way through which you can make use of the exemptions provided by the government. Earlier people had limited choice of tax saving instruments to be used for the purpose of tax planning. But now with the ELSS (Equity Linked Saving Schemes) launched by most of the mutual fund companies, the whole approach towards tax saving has changed. With mutual funds tax planning had become more important part of over all investment planning. With equity linked saving schemes the tax exemptions can be used in a manner such that you not just disciple your investments but also create good corpus through equity investment.

Read the rest of this entry

1. Get yourself a Financial Plan: As an individual it is very important to have a financial plan which will guide you with investments as per your goals and needs. It serves a very important purpose of bringing discipline to your investing habits.

An ideal plan gives you a complete picture of your current investments and liabilities, your net worth, cash flow, goals and a specific plan to achieve those goals. The goal can be buying a car, house, going for a vacation, children’s education or building a retirement corpus. When you are young you tend to live for the moment and do things as they come but it’s very important to secure your financial future. It does not have to be at the cost of a good lifestyle.

Read the rest of this entry

Retirement planning doesn’t have to be a daunting task. In addition to a pension, social security and a 401k, the happiest retirees secure investments long before they retire and reap the benefits for that Bahamas cruise later on.

Stocks and mutual funds aren’t just terms for Wall Street brokers anymore. They’re assets to anyone with a desire for more money. Why not benefit as the economy benefits and share in the wealth? That’s what “capitalism” is all about.

Read the rest of this entry