As of 16 April 2026, new EU rules give fund companies the legal right to block savers from withdrawing their money during times of market stress.

The official reason? To protect the fund when small savers panic and want to sell.

Johan Sjögren, head of analysis at the Swedish Fund Management Association, was quoted in Privata Affärer on 29 April 2026 saying: “It can sound very negative for the saver.”

I can understand that there are situations where the small saver needs to be “protected from himself”. But at the same time, I have zero understanding for the idea that the EU and the fund industry should decide when I’m allowed to access my own money.

Because let’s be honest: these funds were never created primarily for the saver.

They were created to be sold by banks and fund companies. Everything else is marketing.

If you want real control over your savings, the best option is still individual stocks. It requires work and patience, but at least no one can lock the door and tell you “we know better” when the market turns ugly.

That freedom is worth far more than any bureaucratic “protection”.

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This is a new post on the new dewlar.me blog.
You can find the old blog here:https://mrsdewlar.blogspot.com

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