SEBI's New SIP Rule: Can Your Employer Pay

SEBI wants to allow limited third-party payments in mutual funds — like your employer deducting SIP money straight from your salary. This could make investing automatic, but strict anti-money-laundering rules will apply.

Here's what happened: SEBI has proposed allowing certain third-party payments into mutual funds — currently banned to prevent money laundering — under strict PMLA safeguards.. One key use case is salary-linked SIPs where employers deduct a fixed amount and invest it directly into an employee's mutual fund folio each month.. The proposal also covers unit-based distributor commissions and donations to SEBI-registered social impact funds, broadening how mutual fund money can flow..

What you should do: Check if your employer offers a salary-deduction investment benefit — some large corporates already run NPS; mutual funds may be next.. Review your existing SIP mandates and ensure your bank auto-debit is active so you don't miss contributions while this rule is still being finalised.. Compare direct vs regular mutual fund plans — if a distributor earns unit-based commission under the new rule, confirm it doesn't quietly reduce your returns..

Pro tip: Even today, spouses can invest jointly using a single bank account — so 'third-party' restrictions are already partially navigable for families through joint folios.