Solution-oriented mutual funds offer a tailored approach to investing by addressing specific financial objectives. These funds are designed to preserve capital or achieve capital appreciation for funding predetermined expenses such as retirement, education, or marriage. Managed by skilled fund managers, solution-oriented schemes carefully consider investors' financial goals, risk tolerance, and expected returns to construct portfolios that align with their expectations.
This article delves into the concept of Solution-Oriented Mutual Funds, offering a detailed overview of the types available in India. It explains the purpose of these funds, particularly how they cater to specific financial goals like retirement or children's education. The article also discusses the benefits of these schemes, such as goal-focused planning and disciplined investing, as well as their drawbacks, including lock-in periods and restricted liquidity. Moreover, it addresses the taxation aspects, providing advice on who should consider these funds and the best time to start investing. Lastly, it emphasises key factors to consider before committing to a Solution-Oriented Mutual Fund, helping investors make informed choices.
What are solution-oriented mutual funds?
Solution-Oriented Mutual Funds (SOMFs) are a type of mutual fund designed to assist investors in achieving specific financial goals, such as retirement, education, or marriage. These funds are managed by fund managers who take into account the investor's financial objectives, risk tolerance, and expected returns. The manager's strategy, asset allocation, and other investment decisions are guided by the investment objective. Typically, a solution-oriented plan includes a five-year lock-in period, allowing the investment to weather short-term market fluctuations and potentially yield significant long-term returns.
Types of solution-oriented mutual funds in India
There are two main kinds of solution-oriented mutual funds available to investors in India:
- Retirement planning mutual fund: This type of mutual fund helps investors save for their retirement by investing in a mix of equity and debt securities. These funds might have a lock-in period for promotion long-term investing.
- Children’s gift mutual fund: This type of mutual fund helps investors build a corpus for their children’s future needs, such as education, marriage, etc. The fund invests in a diversified portfolio of equity and debt securities. It may also come with a lock-in period.
Nature of solution-oriented funds
Solution-oriented funds can be classified into three categories based on their asset allocation:
- Equity funds: Equity funds invest predominantly in equity and equity-related instruments, such as stocks, ETFs, etc. They can potentially generate high returns in the long run, but they come with high risks and volatility.
- Debt funds: These funds invest mainly in debt and money market instruments, such as bonds, treasury bills, etc. They offer stable and regular income, but also have low returns and interest rate risk.
- Hybrid funds: They invest in a combination of equities and debt, in various proportions. They aim to balance the risk and return of the portfolio, and also offer flexibility and diversification.
Advantages of solution-oriented schemes
Some of the benefits of investing in solution-oriented schemes are:
- Adequate financial planning: They help investors plan for their specific financial goals and allocate their funds accordingly.
- Limited risks: They follow a predetermined investment strategy and asset allocation, minimising the likelihood of incorrect investment decisions or straying from the goal. It is crucial to note that solution-oriented funds with exposure to debt securities pose limited risk compared to those with a majority of their portfolio invested in equity.
- High yields: They have the potential to generate higher returns than traditional savings instruments, such as bank deposits, PPF, etc., especially in the long term.
Limitations of a solution-oriented scheme
Some of the drawbacks of investing in solution-oriented schemes are:
- Passive management: They have a fixed investment mandate and portfolio composition, which limits the scope of active management and dynamic asset allocation.
- Closed-ended mutual funds: Solution-oriented funds are closed-ended, which means they have a fixed maturity period and do not allow fresh investments or redemptions during that period.
- Liquidity: They may have low liquidity especially due to the lock-in period, which restricts the investors from withdrawing their money before the maturity date.
Taxation
The taxation of solution-oriented schemes depends on their nature and holding period:
- Solution-oriented equity schemes: These schemes are taxed as equity funds, which means the long-term capital gains (LTCG) above gains of Rs. 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%, and the short-term capital gains (STCG) are taxed at 20%.
- Debt solution-oriented schemes: These schemes are taxed as debt funds, which means the LTCG are taxed at 20% with indexation, and the STCG are taxed as per the investor’s income tax slab.
Who should consider solution-oriented schemes?
Solution-oriented schemes are suitable for investors who have a clear and specific financial goal, and a long-term investment horizon. These schemes are designed to facilitate the development of a sufficient corpus without imposing significant financial strain. Before committing the entire portfolio to a solution-oriented scheme, individuals should assess the average predicted returns and associated risk factors. The locked-in period of five years helps negate short-term fluctuations, contributing to the scheme's high return-generating capacity.
When to start investing in solution-oriented funds
The best time to start investing in solution-oriented funds is as early as possible, as it gives more time for the money to grow and compound. However, the exact timing may vary depending on the type of fund and the goal:
- For retirement planning: It is advisable to start investing in a retirement fund as soon as one starts earning, and increase the contribution gradually with the increase in income.
- For children’s planning: It is advisable to start investing in a children’s fund as soon as one has a child, and continue till the child reaches adulthood.
Recommended solution oriented mutual fund schemes to invest in 2024
- Nippon India Retirement Fund Wealth Creation Scheme
- Aditya Birla Sun Life Bal Bhavishya Yojna fund
- ICICI Prudential Retirement Fund Pure Debt Plan
- Franklin India Pension Plan
- Tata Retirement Savings Moderate Fund
- Nippon India Retirement Fund Income Generation Scheme
- ICICI Prudential Retirement Fund Pure Equity Plan
- LIC MF Childrens Fund
- Aditya Birla Sun Life Retirement Fund The 50s Plan
- SBI Magnum Children's Benefit Fund
Things to remember before investing in Solution-oriented Mutual Funds
- Define Your Financial Goals: Clearly articulate your financial objectives, such as funding education, marriage, or retirement, before investing in solution-oriented mutual funds. These funds are specifically designed to address predetermined financial needs.
- Understand the Lock-In Period: Solution-oriented mutual funds typically come with a lock-in period, during which investors cannot redeem their units. Be aware of the lock-in duration, as it varies based on the specific fund's objective.
- Evaluate Risk Tolerance: Assess your risk tolerance and choose a solution-oriented fund that aligns with your comfort level. Different funds may have varying risk profiles based on their investment strategies.
- Research Fund Managers: Consider the track record and expertise of the fund manager managing the solution-oriented fund. A skilled and experienced fund manager can significantly impact the performance of the fund.
- Diversification Strategy: Understand the fund's diversification strategy. Diversified portfolios can help mitigate risk, so evaluate how well the fund is spread across different asset classes and sectors.
- Review Past Performance: While past performance is not indicative of future results, reviewing the historical performance of the solution-oriented fund can provide insights into its ability to meet its objectives.
- Check Expenses and Charges: Be aware of the expenses and charges associated with the fund. High expense ratios can impact returns, so choose funds with reasonable fees.
- Align with Investment Horizon: Ensure that the investment horizon of the solution-oriented fund aligns with your financial goals. Longer investment horizons may be more suitable for certain objectives.
- Stay Informed About Tax Implications: Understand the tax implications of investing in solution-oriented mutual funds, including any applicable tax benefits and the taxation of capital gains.
- Seek Professional Advice: Consider seeking advice from financial professionals or advisors to ensure that solution-oriented mutual funds fit well into your overall financial plan. Their expertise can provide valuable insights and guidance.
Conclusion
Solution-oriented mutual funds are a smart and convenient way to achieve one’s long-term financial goals. They offer a tailor-made solution for different needs, such as retirement, education, etc. However, they also have some limitations, such as passive management, low liquidity, etc. Therefore, investors should carefully evaluate their risk appetite, return expectations, and tax implications before investing in them. They should also consult a financial advisor if needed, and monitor their portfolio performance regularly.
