PENSION plans are exclusively designed for those who would like to have financial discipline imposed on them as they approach retirement. Once you hop on to such a plan and continue saving regularly till retirement, the assurance of getting a pension is largely fixed. This, however, does not mean that you may not resort to a tailor-made investment schedule and take an active role in shaping your retire­ment portfolio. Several other invest­ment products in isolation or a combi­nation of them could help you achieve similar goals.

BY G A D’COSTA

IN 2005, the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act was introduced to establish a database of a person’s credit history and, by implication, that person’s credit reliability. A Credit Information Bureau (India) Limited (CIBIL) was established and members, namely financial institutions, were expected to upload credit information of their clients onto this database.

THERE ARE quite a few expenses or cash outflows which automatically entail tax benefits. Some of these are children’s tuition fees, interest payments on home loan and even premiums on your term plan.

IN THE context of the severe recession worldwide in the wake of the collapse of some of the largest financial institutions globally, it would be appropriate to assess the impact of the policies of economic liberalisation, which began in the country in the early 90s. It may be recalled that it was during the tenure of the late Narasimma Rao as the prime minister of the country in whose cabinet Dr Manmohan Singh was the finance minister that the process of liberalisation of the economy began.

ONE HUNDRED years ago, an American gentleman named Henry Ford rolled out the Ford Model T and motoring for the masses became a reality for the first time. Now, Ratan Tata is on the brink of redifining mass motoring with the Tata Nano…

AN encouraging trend we are witnessing in the life insur­ance market is increasing awareness about products among customers, a five to ten-fold rise in online comparison before they make a purchase and greater cor­relation between customer needs and the product they eventually buy. One consequence of growing awareness is that more customers are now opting for term insurance. By and large, however, tax saving, and not covering the risk of loss of income due to the breadwinner’s demise, continues to be the prime motivator.

THE GLOBAL financial collapse is taking its toll across the western world with massive shutdowns in every segment of industry. Though India is not totally reeling under the impact, tremors are being felt nevertheless. As a domino effect, Goa too is facing unrest in the labour force especially in the industrial estates where several units are experiencing a fall in production – like Jimcap Electronics and BETS who have slashed production of capacitors and collapsible tubes respectively and laid off non-permanent staff. Large industrial houses are cost cutting and scrutinising their order books and pink slips are kept in readiness.

Mendu Ramohan Rao, Dean of Indian School of Business, one of India’s premier B schools and director on the board of Satyam Computers says he is “stunned”. Is he going to be allowed to get away with a statement like that? Are independent directors supposed to close their eyes or are they collaborators in fraud? One can’t believe that the dean of a BUSINESS school is illiterate enough to not understand what was going on.

IN THE Western world, with global recession looming large overhead, trade and commerce have almost come to a grinding halt. India too is feeling the heat as globalisation affects all international players of which India is one of the big players. To aid the economy on to its feet the Reserve Bank of India is setting guidelines and banks reduced the rate of interest for both housing and auto loans in the last month of 2008.