Deepesh Raghaw

These products are simple, transparent and easy to understand. The returns are guaranteed, and locking into a fixed rate feels reassuring at a time when deposit rates are declining

Begin with a 100 per cent equity portfolio, which you can reduce gradually as the goal approaches

While the scheme allows you to plan for your child's retirement well after you may be gone, you should focus first on your retirement and kids' education

An index with less volatility during downturns can help you remain invested

No single stock can heavily influence overall performance of such indices, leading to more diversified industry exposure

Investors must manage their biases and decide what is the right size for each of their positions in a portfolio

A portfolio with too many funds is difficult to manage and it makes decision-making tough

An asset-allocation approach will help you in not taking an outsize risk

Sequence of returns can dramatically affect the longevity of a retirement corpus, especially if retirees have to withdraw more during market downturns early in their retirement

You cannot exit before age 60 but that is not necessarily a disadvantage

They don't have to put their money in equity trade and yet build a corpus for their financial goals

A conservative approach, diversified portfolio and don't be discouraged by setbacks in the market

Before falling for the promised return, consider the principle of time value of money

Before selling, outline a clear, objective reinvestment strategy. Set specific triggers for buying back, such as a particular market level or a 5-10% correction

To invest in a small-cap index fund of a life insurance company, a customer will need to invest in a ULIP

Insurers' products are complex; investors must have a rational expectation about the returns they will get

A rule-based approach in mutual fund investments will protect you from disappointment

While Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana offers a higher interest rate, PPF can be continued for a longer tenure and offers greater flexibility after 15 years

Stick to asset class you are confident about and are certain that you stay with them for the long term

You can benefit under the new tax regime but there are a few caveats