New actuarial research identifies how different investment strategies may prevent capital erosion in living annuities. Adopting an aggressive investment strategy in retirement seems counterintuitive. But new actuarial modelling shows that most...
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Listen: The ins and outs of medical aid
It is that time of year when your medical aid informs you how much more you will be paying in 2024 for your medical cover. In this podcast, Maya chats to Jillian Larkan, head of healthcare consulting at financial advisory firm GTC to unpack the...
Celebrity endorsements, crypto and crashes
Fred Razak, Chief Trading Strategist at CMTrading, warns potential investors to exercise utmost caution when encountering unsolicited cryptocurrency offers, regardless of celebrity endorsements. Amid the 2021 crypto boom, prominent figures such as...
How a beneficiary fund can provide for your child
If your retirement fund and group life cover make up the largest portion of your assets, a beneficiary fund may be a simple and cost-effective way to ensure that your minor child receives a regular income if something should happen to you. Your...
A will to protect your family
One of the most important tasks that the Absa/City Press Money Makeover candidates need to fulfil, is to write up a will. We spend so much time and energy on our families and making many sacrifices for them, yet most parents have not taken the time...
ID theft: don’t become a victim
My husband was recently a victim of ID theft, and the experience highlights how easy it is for fraudsters to use your identity to open accounts. The number of ID theft victims continues to increase. The trend is exacerbated by data breaches –...
Still no action on payroll deductions
Despite several government investigations and submissions from interested parties over the past seven years, there has been no concrete action taken to address unethical payroll deductions. Concerns regarding payroll deductions have been raised for...
Listen: Treasury explains the two-pot retirement system
On 1 March 2024 there will be a radical change affecting everyone who is a member of a retirement fund, with the implementation of what has come to be known as the “two-pot retirement system”. Update: The two-pot system will now be implemented on 1...
Water crisis in SA
We are only starting to understand that we are facing a water crisis in South Africa. I was recently on a panel discussion regarding the future of electricity and water in South Africa. While we are all too familiar with the electricity crisis in...
Unethical practices leave workers indebted and desperate
A large number of municipal workers are taking home a fraction of their pay due to unethical practices around so-called payroll loans. In one case, a mother of two children, with an unemployed husband, had total loan deductions of R5 000 off her...
Previous Articles
Planning to own a home
For most young people buying a home is a financial priority, but a home is a significant purchase and it’s important to get your finances in order first. Two of the Absa/City Press Money Makeover contestants are preparing for this big step. Molefi has no short-term...
Two-pot retirement system: questions answered
The so-called two-pot retirement system will be implemented from 1 March 2024. There is still a lot of confusion around the system and exactly how it will work, and we are awaiting further clarity from Treasury on some of the details surrounding the system. In the...
Am I being taxed twice?
Your applicable tax bracket is calculated based on all of your income streams added together. Shivi writes: “I earn a monthly salary from my job, and I also receive a monthly amount of R14 000 which is from my late father’s retirement policy. Tax gets automatically...
Listen: Supporting your aging parents
Many South Africans are finding themselves supporting their aging parents, thanks to the combination of a tough economy and insufficient retirement funding. But it’s critical to plan this key transition carefully to ensure your own finances stay on track and that you...
Trying to time the market is a fool’s errand
Roné Swanepoel, Business Development Manager at Morningstar South Africa, provides compelling evidence that trying to time the market invariably has disastrous results. Let’s start with a thought experiment. If you look back on your investment journey to date, and the...
Financially stressed out
Financially stressed out, drowning in debt and struggling to buy the basics, were the overwhelming results of two separate financial consumer surveys recently released. DebtBusters’ second annual Money-Stress Tracker, which surveyed 35 000 individuals who were not...
Managing family expectations
Managing family expectations may include having tough conversations with parents and relatives before you agree to help them financially. Setting boundaries with family members is always difficult, but if you do not look after your own finances first, you will not be...
Getting a life cover payout in 48 hours
Ensuring that your life cover includes an immediate payment benefit is the key to getting a partial payout in only 48 hours. One of the main reasons for taking out life cover is to provide for your dependants after your death. If you have family who are financially...
Comparing bank accounts for solopreneurs
FNB, Standard Bank, Absa and Nedbank are leading the way in supporting solopreneurs. But what should you know before you apply for an entry-level business account? Angelique Ruzicka investigates. Solopreneurship (a reference to individuals who start businesses – in...
Listen: Use your will to protect your child’s legacy
September is Wills Month and in this podcast, we discuss how you can use your will to protect your child’s legacy. Maya speaks to Alex Simeonides, CEO of Capital Legacy, about how parents can navigate the complexities of estate planning. Navigating grief with a...