Salary and social benefits can no longer be paid into a third party's bank account

The Law of 24 December 2021 on accelerating economic and professional equality (the so-called Rixain Law) amends the way in which wages and social benefits are paid in order to promote women’s financial autonomy, in particular in the event of separation, and to combat possible situations of spousal or family dominance.

That law requires that, from 27 December 2022, the salary, allowances and social benefits paid by transfer be paid into a bank or postal account of which the beneficiary is the holder or the co-holder.

The employer can therefore no longer pay the salary to a bank or postal account which is not in the name of the employee concerned and it is no longer possible for the employee to appoint a third party to receive his salary.

Employers must therefore check the identities referenced on the proof of bank or postal accounts and ask employees who are not in compliance with the new legal framework to transmit a proof of bank or postal account (RIB) to their name or attesting to their status as co-holder of the account.

Likewise, the bodies which pay social benefits must ask their beneficiaries to send them a bank identity statement (BIT) of an account of which they are holders or co-holders. Social benefits may be paid by means other than transfer for beneficiaries who do not hold a bank or postal account.