Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Why Mutual Fund Dividends May Not Reach Your Bank Account
A mutual fund can own shares in companies that pay dividends.
The fund receives that money, but it may not send it straight to your bank account.
In a growth plan, the money stays invested in the fund, and its effect is included in the fund’s value.
In an IDCW plan, the fund may pay some money to investors from time to time.
These payments are not guaranteed.
When a payment is made, the value of your investment in the fund goes down by the amount distributed.
Growth plans may suit people focused on building wealth over time, while IDCW may suit those seeking periodic cash.
Companies held by equity mutual funds may pay dividends to the fund, but investors do not necessarily receive separate bank deposits.
In a growth option, income from the fund’s investments stays in the scheme and is reflected in its net asset value.
The IDCW option may distribute some fund income to investors as periodic cash payouts.
The dividend plan was renamed income distribution cum capital withdrawal (IDCW) in April 2021.
IDCW payouts are not guaranteed income or extra returns, and a payout reduces the value of an investor’s fund holding.
- Who
- Mutual fund investors, including investors in equity funds.
- What
- The article explains why income received by a mutual fund may not be credited separately to investors and how growth and IDCW options differ.
- When
- The dividend plan was renamed IDCW in April 2021.
- Where
- In mutual fund schemes and investors’ linked bank accounts.
- Why
- Whether income is paid out or retained in the scheme depends on the selected option; under growth, it remains invested and is reflected in the scheme’s NAV.
Growth option
IDCW option
How returns are handled
Growth option
Returns stay invested in the scheme and are reflected in its NAV, potentially supporting long-term wealth creation through compounding.
IDCW option
The fund may distribute some earnings to investors as periodic cash payouts.
Investor preference
Growth option
Generally preferred by investors focused on long-term wealth creation.
IDCW option
May suit investors seeking periodic income, though payouts are not guaranteed and reduce the value of the fund holding.
- Growth option
- Income generated by the scheme’s investments is retained in the scheme rather than distributed separately.
- IDCW
- Income distribution cum capital withdrawal; the former dividend plan name.
- Renaming
- The dividend plan was renamed IDCW in April 2021.
- Potential payouts
- IDCW funds may distribute a portion of earnings, usually quarterly or annually.
- Payout impact
- A payout reduces the value of the investor’s investment in the fund.
- Income warning
- IDCW payouts are not guaranteed income or extra returns.