When To Review Your SIPs?

Even the best laid plans can sometimes go awry. This holds true for SIPs as well. You may have chosen the best fund, but there is no guarantee that it will keep performing well. Similarly, an unexpected turn of events could upset your calculations. A yearly review of your portfolio will keep you moving in the desired direction. If you have strayed from the path, you can make timely changes that will ensure you get back on track.

Here's how to go about it.

First, check whether your asset allocation is in synch with your original asset mix. If the portfolio is skewed towards a particular asset class, you need to rebalance it. Next, check the corpus accumulated against each goal to see if you are on track. Compare the performance of your funds against the return assumed at the time of investment. If the fund you invested in has generated less than the assumed return, you might be falling short of your desired target. If the underperformance is because the broader market is in a slump, then all you need to do is rebalance the portfolio. If the fund itself is underperforming, then it is a red flag and you should switch to a better fund.

Ending an SIP is almost as important as starting it. Continuing the SIP perpetually may not always be the right approach. At some point, you will have to get out. How do you decide when to stop? If you are not investing for a specific goal, this decision won't be easy. But if you have certain target in mind, you can end the SIP as the goal draws near. If the goal has been reached before time, it is advisable to shift the money out to a stable option. Exposing it to the market's vagaries for the remaining tenure will not be a wise move. Where the money requirement is for a bullet payment like a wedding expense, you must ensure that you set aside the amount much before the goal deadline.

On the other hand, if you have not managed to save the required amount, you may need to consider whether you wish to continue with the same SIP. If it is not performing in line with its peers, you may have to switch to a better alternative.