Friday, 19 September 2025

SWP: YOUR AKSHAY PATRA IN RETIREMENT


A Question Every Retiree Asks

“Srikanth ji, I’ve retired now. I have about ₹1.5 crore. Where should I keep it? FD, pension plan, or buy a house for rent?”



This was Sharma ji’s question when he visited me after his retirement.
Honestly, this is the same doubt almost every retiree has. And it’s a very valid question, because retirement is not 2–3 years, it’s a journey of 25–30 years.

Let me share with you what I explained to Sharma ji — and it may help you too.


The Popular Retirement Options

Bank Fixed Deposits
Yes, it feels safe. You put money, and every month/quarter, you get interest. And the money too is easily accessible. But the problem is twofold:

  1. The interest is fully taxable.
  2. The interest doesn’t grow.
    So, what looks like a comfortable ₹50,000 today may feel like just ₹25,000 in 10 years, thanks to inflation.

Hence, FDs are good for short-term needs and emergencies, but they cannot protect you from rising costs in a long retirement.


Rental Income from Property

Property is a favourite of many as it’s a physical, tangible asset. Many people think — “Buy a flat, rent it out, and sit back.”
Rental Income may give steady flow of income and the underlying property can also keep appreciating.

Sounds good, but reality is different: tenants may leave suddenly, tenants may delay paying rent on time, maintenance costs and repairs eat into your net returns.
And if you suddenly need money, you cannot sell just one room! Property is not liquid.
And what many rarely think of… periods without tenant cause uncertainty in regular flow of income.

 Insurance Annuity / Pension Plans
Here, you give your lump sum to the insurance company, and they promise to pay you a fixed pension for life, guaranteed for life.
Peace of mind, yes. While your household expenses increase with inflation, the annuity remains the same. In addition, you cannot take money out once invested. Liquidity is zero.
Insurance Annuity / Pension Plans are useful as a “base income” — to cover essentials — but it cannot be your only solution..


The Problem with All Three

All these options give you income, but not growth.
And retirement is a marathon, not a sprint. Without growth, even crores can get eaten by inflation over 20–30 years.



That’s why I told Sharma ji — you need something better, something that gives you both income and growth. Hence I suggested Sharmaji to consider an SWP in Mutual Funds.


Enter SWP: The Akshay Patra for Retirees

SWP stands for Systematic Withdrawal Plan.
Here’s how it works:

  • You invest your retirement corpus in a mutual fund (a balanced mix of debt + equity).
  • You instruct the fund to transfer a fixed amount to your bank account every month.
  • The remaining residual will continue to grow.

Unlike FD or annuity, SWP allows flexibility. You can increase your withdrawals every year to match inflation.
₹60,000 today… ₹63,000 next year… ₹66,000 the year after.

So, it’s just like a pension — but with flexibility and growth.


Sharma ji’s Example

Lets see Sharmaji’s example for better understanding.
Sharma ji had ₹1.5 crore.
He needed ₹60,000 per month.

If he kept the money in FD, he would get interest but no growth.
If he bought an annuity, his income would never rise.
If he bought property, he would be stuck with headaches.

With SWP, he could:

  • Start withdrawing ₹60,000 every month.
  • Increase it to ₹63,000 next year, ₹66,000 the year after, and so on.
  • By the time he is 80, he may be withdrawing ₹1.5 lakh per month — while his original corpus still remains strong.

This is what makes SWP like the Akshay Patra of the Mahabharata — a bowl that never empties.




Why SWP is Different

  • Flexibility: You can increase, decrease, or stop withdrawals anytime.
  • Growth: Your money continues to work for you, unlike FD or annuity.
  • Liquidity: Need extra money suddenly? Withdraw more. Try doing that with an annuity!
  • Tax Advantage: In many cases, SWP can be more tax-efficient than FD interest.

Should You Abandon FD, Annuity, or Rental?

Not at all. I advised Sharma ji — Don’t put everything into SWP. Balance is key.

  • Keep some money in FD for emergencies.
  • Use annuity for a basic safety net for essentials like food and utilities.
  • Treat Rental Income as additional source of flow.

Use the SWP as the retirement engine that drives growth and income together to power your retirement lifestyle


SWP is like Coconut Tree

FDs and annuities are like cutting a tree for wood. Once you cut, it’s gone.
SWP is like a coconut tree. You pluck coconuts (monthly income), but the tree (your corpus) keeps growing.




REMEMBER :

Retirement isn’t about just surviving.
Retirement is about living with dignity, independence, and joy.

Traditional pensions give stability.
But for freedom, flexibility, and a rising income, SWP is your Akshay Patra.

You worked hard all your life for money.
Now let money work for you — endlessly, silently, and faithfully.

All the very best,
Regards,
Srikanth Matrubai
NISM Certified Retirement Advisor
Author & AMFI Registered Mutual Fund Distributor

⚠️ Disclaimer: Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks. Please read all scheme-related documents carefully before investing. Returns shown are illustrative and not guaranteed. Consult a SEBI-registered financial advisor before investing.


The chart given here is for illustration purposes and not guaranteed. 
Please contact your Advisor before taking a decision. 




REBALANCE VOLATILITY CERTIFIED COACH

Srikanth Matrubai, Author of the Amazon Best Seller DON'T RETIRE RICH


You are strongly encouraged to consult your financial planner before making any decision regarding this investment. The views expressed here are the author's personal views and should not be interpreted as a recommendation to invest/avoid.

 
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GOODFUNDADVISOR is the musings by Srikanth Matrubai, Author of Amazon Best Selling Book DONT RETIRE RICH. Request you to note that this blog is purely for educational purposes and in no way recommends any investments. Strongly urge you to follow your Advisor We do not take any responsibility whatsoever as the blog content may be changed from time to time and is generic in nature.

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SWP: YOUR AKSHAY PATRA IN RETIREMENT

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