The Economic Times

A survey by 1 Finance Magazine reveals a significant gap in retirement preparedness among Indians aged 40-60. Nearly 76% lack detailed plans, yet 61.4% feel confident about retiring comfortably. Most rely on fixed deposits and mutual funds, with a median retirement corpus of Rs 28 lakh against a target of Rs 1 crore, highlighting a substantial shortfall.

Low-risk investors can earn a fixed monthly income of Rs 9,250 from a Rs 15 lakh deposit in a joint Post Office Monthly Income Scheme (POMIS) account. This government-backed scheme offers an annual interest rate of 7.4% for a 5-year tenure. While interest is taxable as per income slab, no TDS is deducted by the post office.

New labour codes from the Central Government introduce a mandatory 2% annual salary increment for regular contractual workers. This rule applies to employees of contractors working for central government establishments like railways and banks. The provision is mandatory, even if companies do not wish to offer increments. This rule does not extend to employees directly on a company's payroll.

Medical professionals can secure loans for practice expansion by understanding lender criteria. Key factors include qualifications, credit score, age, practice stability, and income. Checking eligibility beforehand improves approval chances and saves time. Organizing financial records and reducing debt strengthen applications. Bajaj Finance offers doctor loans with high amounts, flexible tenures, and quick disbursal, supporting practice growth.

Building a Rs 5 crore retirement corpus on a Rs 50,000 salary is achievable with disciplined investing, time and strategy. Investing 30% of your salary monthly via SIP may take 31 years, but a 7% annual step-up can cut it to 2526 years. Experts say higher savings, better returns and periodic reviews accelerate wealth creation, while asset allocation and risk appetite play a crucial role in long-term success.

India's retirement planning is evolving with rising private sector NPS participation and evolving annuity products. While government contributions still dominate, private sector growth is steady. In an interview with Sriram Iyer, MD & CEO of HDFC Pension, he spoke about the growing role of NPS in retirement planning, NPS performance and more.

India-focused offshore funds and ETFs underperformed the MSCI India USD Index over one year, though Aryabhata India Fund emerged as the top performer with the smallest decline among peers.

Indian mutual fund assets under management have surged. Equity funds saw a significant rise in assets and investor numbers. Flexicap funds led net sales, attracting substantial inflows. SIP flows doubled in under three years, reaching new highs. The industry's AUM grew substantially over the past decade, indicating strong investor confidence and growing participation in mutual funds.

Gold prices saw an uptick on May 21, 2026, influenced by US-Iran tensions, inflation concerns, and increased rate-hike expectations. Major jewelry brands reported higher rates for 24k, 22k, 20k, 18k, and 14k gold.

SBI bank holidays May 2026: SBI branches may be closed for up to six days from May 23, 2026, due to a weekend, a proposed two-day staff strike, and the Bakrid holiday.

If the lender bank decides to deploy any technology-based mechanism for restricting or disabling the functionalities of a mobile device of a borrower, it shall ensure adopting a graduated approach rather than disabling the device, ab initio; it cant disable essential services like internet access, incoming calls, emergency SOS, and receipt of emergency Government or public-safety notifications.

The ET Alpha Summit gathers top market minds to decode global risks, AI disruption, and investment opportunities, offering investors a clear roadmap for smarter, future-ready wealth decisions.

Mutual fund investors are exploring international and thematic schemes, with some delivering up to 200% returns. Technology and semiconductor funds, especially those with Taiwan exposure, have seen significant gains. Experts suggest starting global diversification with broader US funds. While past performance is strong, future returns may vary.

Bengaluru property owners face a new hurdle. The city's e-Khata portal does not allow new Khata creation for revenue land acquired through partition deeds. This blocks genuine owners from official property records. Experts suggest adding a fresh Khata creation option and improving document uploads. This reform aims to include all property owners in the formal system.

A wife who stabbed and killed her husband during a sudden argument has been spared jail time. The Telangana High Court ruled the act was committed on the 'spur of the moment'. She will pay a Rs 500 fine instead of a four-year prison sentence. The court invoked an exception to murder charges, acknowledging the impulsive nature of the crime.

Large cap funds have lagged mid and small caps across various time horizons, showing muted or negative returns in shorter periods. Experts suggest increasing allocation to large caps for stability and better risk-reward due to attractive valuations, especially for first-time investors and through SIPs.

Your employer might soon invest in mutual funds directly from your salary. Sebi is considering a new proposal to allow this. Employees can choose their funds, and employers will deduct the amount from salaries. This aims to simplify investing and increase participation. Redemption proceeds will still go to the employee's account.

Banking & PSU debt funds offer a relatively safe investment option for a few years, investing primarily in government-backed entities. These schemes gained popularity after past debt market turmoil. While risks like private bank exposure and interest rate changes exist, they are considered minimal for short-term investors.

Sebi is proposing new rules for mutual fund investments. Third parties can now make payments in certain situations. Employers can invest on behalf of employees through salary deductions. Asset Management Companies can pay distributors in mutual fund units instead of cash. A framework for investors to donate to social causes is also suggested.

Investing in equity through Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) offers greater predictability and reduced risk over extended periods. A study reveals that longer tenures, ideally 10 years or more, allow investors to navigate market cycles and benefit from rupee cost averaging.

The Atal Pension Yojana provides a secure future with guaranteed monthly pensions. Indian citizens aged 18 to 40 can enroll. Contributions ensure a pension of Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 from age 60. The scheme offers continued benefits to spouses and nominees in case of subscriber death. This government-backed initiative secures retirement for many.

The current regulatory framework mandates that all payments for investments in mutual funds must originate directly from the investor's own bank account and be routed exclusively through RBI-authorised payment aggregators or Sebi-recognised clearing corporations.

Farmers eagerly await the 23rd PM Kisan installment, expected around June-July 2026. Beneficiaries receive Rs 2,000 thrice annually. Completing e-KYC is mandatory for receiving the Rs 2,000 payment, with options for OTP-based, biometric, or face authentication.

Sebis new mutual fund overlap rules aim to improve diversification by limiting duplicate stock holdings across schemes, encouraging investors and fund houses to reduce redundancy and maintain more efficient portfolios.

Railway technical supervisors have put forward significant demands to the 8th Pay Commission. Key proposals include a Rs 52,000 minimum salary and multiple fitment factors. They also seek higher House Rent Allowance rates and the inclusion of training periods for MACP calculations. The association aims for these suggestions to be part of the commission's recommendations.

ICICI Bank is set to implement revised charges on several debit cards, including a significant increase in Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) fees, effective June 21, 2026. Additionally, annual fees for various debit card variants will be adjusted, with some seeing an increase and one notable reduction.

Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund has removed the Rs 5 lakh daily cap on lump sum investments and resumed fresh SIP/STP registrations in its Baroda BNP Paribas Aqua Fund of Fund from May 20. The move comes as overseas investment headroom improves, though subscriptions will remain subject to regulatory overseas investment limits.

Tata AIA Life Insurance has launched the Tata AIA Dividend Leaders Index Pension Fund to help investors build long-term retirement wealth through Indias leading dividend-paying companies. The NFO is open until May 27, with units priced at Rs 10. The passively managed fund tracks the BSE 500 Dividend Leaders 50 Index and invests in 50 consistent dividend-paying firms, combining market-linked growth with life insurance protection for disciplined retirement planning.

Gold prices saw an upward trend today, May 20, 2026, at major jewellery retailers like Tanishq, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas, and Kalyan Jewellers. In contrast, rates at the India Bullion and Jewellers Association experienced a decline. Consumers can check the latest rates for 22k gold and silver across different brands and IBJA.

Twelve equity mutual funds delivered over 10% returns in the past year, led by TRUSTMF Small Cap Fund with 19.24%. Midcap schemes from ICICI Prudential, HSBC and Mirae Asset also featured among the top performers. Overall, 284 schemes were analysed, with returns ranging from 11.51% to 9.86%.

The Wealth Company Mutual Fund, backed by Pantomath Group, has launched its 10th fund, The Wealth Company Large & Mid Cap Fund. This open-ended equity scheme, open from May 21 to June 4, aims for long-term capital appreciation by investing in both established large-cap companies and growth-oriented mid-caps, employing a unique research framework.

Combining a Rs 5 lakh lump sum with a Rs 10,000 monthly step-up SIP can help achieve a Rs 2 crore retirement corpus in 20 years. Experts advise consistent investing, even during market downturns, and increasing SIP amounts with income growth to combat inflation and maximize returns.

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is set to launch a WhatsApp service for PF updates, allowing members to interact with the organization by sending a 'Hello' message.

Top-performing mutual funds delivered strong five-year SIP returns, led by gold, infrastructure, manufacturing, healthcare, and smallcap categories, though investors should prioritize risk appetite, goals, and investment horizon over past performance alone.

Employees Provident Fund Organisation subscribers will soon withdraw their provident fund corpus directly through Unified Payment Interface. The government has completed testing of this new facility.

A 53-year-old investor aims for a Rs 5 crore retirement corpus in seven years without a pension. Experts suggest increasing monthly SIPs to Rs 1.2 lakh with annual 24% step-ups and shifting to an 80:20 equity-debt allocation. A bucket-based SWP strategy is recommended for post-retirement income, potentially generating Rs 1.67-2.5 lakh monthly.

A man successfully saved his two shops from demolition by the municipality. The shops were slated for removal to widen a road. The Andhra Pradesh High Court intervened, halting the demolition. The court ruled that the municipality must follow natural justice principles. This includes providing a hearing and considering the owner's registered sale deed before any action is taken.

UAE private companies must now pay employee salaries on the first of each month, effective June 1, 2026, as mandated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation. Failure to comply will result in penalties, including potential blacklisting and travel bans, with no grace period allowed for late payments.

Many policyholders believe health insurance claims require a 24-hour hospital stay. However, modern policies cover numerous treatments completed within 24 hours, known as day care procedures. These include surgeries like cataract removal and treatments such as chemotherapy. Policyholders must verify their policy details, including covered procedures and exclusions, to ensure eligibility for these claims.

Fund managers hold cash in equity schemes for various reasons, including market overvaluation, difficulty finding quality stocks, and to meet daily redemption requests. While cash offers a downside buffer, high levels can lead to underperformance if markets rally, potentially causing investor outflows.