Page 11 - Karthik Jerome

Retired comfortably: Old age homes that are worth the investment

Such properties are designed for the elderly and give them company and security

Five-year lock-in facilitates long-term orientation in retirement funds

Investors unlikely to withdraw during market downturns or for other needs may do without them

Choosing NPS fund manager? Seek consistency across the asset classes

Switch fund manager only if long-term performance lags the category average

Suffering from cardiac ailment? Apply for a customised insurance plan

These plans have limited sum insured, come with a waiting period, and require co-payment

Capitalise on the industry insight by investing in its sector fund

Choosing such a fund based on recent returns can, however, jeopardise portfolio performance

Travel policy: Tailor sum insured to destination country's healthcare costs

Don't accept any cover that comes with your travel package; understand coverage, exclusions and sub-limits, then buy

Rearview mirror investing can be perilous in floating-rate funds

Investors should opt for them when rates are expected to climb, not now when they are largely over

Multi-asset allocation fund: Invest for a diversified, low-risk portfolio

But steer clear of them if you desire complete control over asset allocation

As rents rise, here is what you can ask from your landlord for protection

Sign a long-term agreement that should have a reasonable escalation built in and a minimum guaranteed tenure

Limited tailored health insurance policy options for cancer survivors

Regular plans, if offered, may permanently exclude cancer from coverage

Avoid drastic shift away from large-cap, into mid-, small-cap funds

Stick to strategic allocation; keep tactical deviations within a narrow range

For car loan, check lenders on their total borrowing cost and service

Select companies that offer easier terms for repayment of the loan

Use price dips for 10% allocation as gold continues to lose lustre

Use price dips to build a 10% allocation to gold

Student travel insurance cover: Buy before setting off to study abroad

But ensure that your policy aligns with your foreign university's requirements

Party over? If overweight, pare exposure to US technology companies

Allocation to it should not exceed 25% of your total exposure to country's market

Relying solely on corporate health insurance plan can impact your finances

Supplement it with a retail plan with adequate sum insured, and no room rent or disease-wise capping

Rush for cover: For claiming insurance on flood-damaged home, act on time

Do not start a flooded car as it could cause further damage that may not be covered by your motor policy

Pair base insurance policy with super top-up to limit premium cost

Opt for insurers with lenient no-claims bonus policies to tackle need to hike sum insured periodically

Why balanced advantage funds are back in the reckoning with investors

People moving from fixed-income should use them as a stepping stone into the equity markets

Don't dodge lender if default is imminent; request for loan recast instead

Also explore options such as swapping higher-cost debt with lower-cost alternatives, and debt consolidation