Wonder, What’s wrong if one needs or IS TOLD about Dividend pay-out. How come this gets categorised under Mis- Selling? Infact its a Product Feature. Am Sure, informed IFAs dont do mistakes here. They adapt to a structured client acquisition model, Clarifying on various features. If one profiles a client & maps his investment to defined goals. Then Dividend option or accrual becomes a "need based approach" rather than a Want/desire Could be Restated as Which Option is better? How to chose.. And one of the Ans can be, While profiling a Client & Preparing the goal reports, if there exist a need for cash flow .. A Dividend Payout; Better SWP can be proposed. Other thought is such pay outs if remian unused also helps in adding to SIP, Dont they!! Money makes Money.

Dividend in mutual funds is nothing but partial withdrawal of money. It may have been a significantly relevant term in equity and debt funds due to favourable tax treatment few years ago, but not under current tax laws. Both SWP and/or discretionary withdrawals, if exercised prudently, are far superior options. I believe we as advisors need to use our skill and experience to look beyond AMC propogated product features (which will always have limitations) and work out alternatives which are more consistent, effective and flexible to meet current needs and also probable future needs of the investor.

Paying regular dividend from Equity oriented balance scheme is better option for investors as they enjoy some fruits from the Tree. Our indian investors are tend to have the habit of asking for immediate benefits from the investment. Hence I suggest my clients to do regular SIP and go for quarterly dividend for balanced scheme and yearly dividend for equity related schemes. When they receive frequent cash flow they will continue SIP and over a period they increase the SIP AMOUNT which will create wealth in longterm. I also inform them them that dividend may fluctuate depends on the market conditions. HAVING A CAKE AND EAT IT TOO is better.

In fact I have told most AMC to not declare dividend. It puts pressure on FMs to book profits from time to time just to maintain the dividend. Instead at an Industry level one should promote only SWP as the most effective way to generate regular uninterrupted cash flows.