Stopping or cancelling a SIP is generally a straight forward process, subject to platform and AMC timelines. You can change or cancel your SIP by going to your mutual fund account online (either through the AMC, broker, or investment app), then by visiting the "My SIPs" section, choosing the appropriate SIP, and finally clicking on the "Cancel/Stop SIP" option. The fund house then acts on the request that you have submitted.
In case you are an offline person, For offline cancellation, you may need a SIP discontinuation request submitted to the AMC or its registrar, as applicable. - Include details such as your folio number, scheme, and bank account, and then dispatch the request to the AMC. After they have processed your request, your future auto-debits will be turned off but the units that you have already invested will continue to be in your mutual fund account.
What is SIP?
A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is a way of investing in mutual funds, where you invest a fixed amount at regular intervals - monthly, quarterly or the like - instead of investing a large lump sum all at once.
SIPs, which put small amounts regularly, enable investors to accumulate assets over a period of time. This enables the investors to take advantage of disciplined saving, rupee-cost averaging and compounding.
SIPs are commonly used for disciplined mutual fund investing; suitability depends on individual goals and risk profile. Those with limited funds can benefit from spreading their investment risk over time instead of relying on market timing.
How to Pause Mutual Fund SIP Temporarily?
If you want to pause a SIP for a short period rather than cancelling it permanently, you can suspend the payments for up to two months. Pausing a SIP is useful if you are facing a temporary financial crunch but plan to resume investing soon.
To temporarily stop your SIP, follow these steps:
Inform Your Bank: Contact your bank and request a pause on the auto-debit feature linked to your SIP.
Notify the AMC: Inform the Asset Management Company managing the mutual fund about your decision to pause the SIP.
Specify Resumption Date: Mention the date when you plan to resume the SIP to avoid automatic cancellation.
Pausing a SIP can help prevent permanent cancellation while giving you time to manage your finances. If you do not reactivate the SIP after the pause period, the AMC may treat it as a SIP cancellation. To avoid this, ensure you notify the AMC within the required timeframe.
How to Stop SIP Online?
If you are investing through online platforms, knowing how to stop SIP online is essential. You can cancel your SIP through different methods, including the mutual fund website, agent, or online distributor platform. Cancelling a SIP online is a convenient and quick process.
Here’s how to stop a SIP online:
Visit the AMC Website:
Log in to the mutual fund’s official website where you made the investment. Select the SIP you want to cancel and click on the ‘Cancel SIP’ option. The SIP cancellation process may take up to 21 days.
Contact Your Agent:
If you have invested through an online agent, request them to place a SIP cancellation request with the AMC. The agent will inform you once the process is complete.
Use Online Distributor Platform:
If your investment was made through an online distributor, log in to the platform, locate the SIP, and choose the ‘Cancel SIP’ option.
When cancelling SIPs online, ensure that you are aware of any SIP cancellation charges to avoid unexpected deductions.
How to Stop SIP Offline?
If you prefer offline methods, understanding how to stop mutual fund SIP through manual processes is important. Cancelling a SIP offline requires submitting a request directly to the Asset Management Company (AMC) or the Registrar and Transfer Agent (RTA).
Follow these steps to stop your SIP offline:
Inform the AMC:
Visit the AMC office and submit a written request indicating the SIP you want to cancel.
Complete the Form:
Fill out the necessary SIP cancellation form, providing details such as your folio number, SIP amount, and linked bank account.
Submit Bank Confirmation:
Visit your bank and cancel the NACH mandate to stop auto-debit payments. Submit the bank’s confirmation to the AMC.
After completing these steps, the SIP cancellation request may take up to 21 days to be processed. Ensure you confirm whether there are any SIP cancellation charges for offline cancellation.
Additional Read:- How To Withdraw SIP Amount
Why Do Investors Pause or Cancel SIPs Mid-Tenure?
Investors may choose to pause or cancel their SIPs before the completion of the tenure for various reasons. While SIPs are designed to promote long-term wealth creation, certain circumstances may force investors to discontinue their contributions.
1. Sudden Financial Crises
Unexpected financial challenges, such as job loss, medical emergencies, or family obligations, may prompt investors to halt their SIP payments. Cancelling a SIP during such times can help allocate resources to immediate needs.
2. Disappointing Fund Results
If the mutual fund performs poorly for an extended period, investors may decide to stop the SIP to avoid continued losses. How to stop SIP becomes important when consistent underperformance affects investment goals.
3. Lack of Patience in Young Investors
Young investors often have less patience and may cancel their SIPs if they do not see immediate returns. Their lack of experience may lead them to discontinue investments during short-term market fluctuations.
4. Fluctuating Markets
When markets fluctuate, some investors may fear losses and choose to cancel their SIPs to protect their capital. Understanding how to close mutual fund investments can help them take appropriate action during volatile times.
5. Shifts in Fund Strategy or Allocation
Changes in a fund’s objective or asset allocation can lead investors to question the future performance of the mutual fund. If the strategy shift no longer aligns with their investment goals, they may choose SIP cancellation.
SIP Discontinuation Rules
When deciding to stop SIPs, it is important to understand the discontinuation rules. Investors can either pause their SIPs temporarily or cancel them permanently. Each option has its own process and timelines. Below are the two main ways to discontinue a SIP.
1. Pause Temporarily
Pausing a SIP allows investors to halt payments for a short period, usually up to two months. This option is useful during temporary financial crises.
Inform the Bank: Contact your bank and request a pause on the auto-debit mandate linked to the SIP.
Notify the AMC: Inform the Asset Management Company (AMC) about the pause and mention the date when you plan to resume the SIP.
Duration Limit: If you do not restart the SIP after two months, it will be treated as SIP cancellation and permanently discontinued.
2. Cancel Permanently
Cancelling a SIP is a permanent action that stops future deductions. This option is chosen when an investor wants to exit the mutual fund entirely.
Online Cancellation: If you want to know how to stop SIP online, log in to the AMC website or online platform and select the ‘Cancel SIP’ option. The cancellation is usually processed within 21 days.
Offline Cancellation: If you prefer manual methods, submit a cancellation form to the AMC or Registrar and Transfer Agent (RTA). Follow up by cancelling the NACH mandate with your bank.
Check Cancellation Charges: Be aware of any SIP cancellation charges that may apply depending on the AMC's policies.
Additional Read: How to Invest in SIP