Around R20 billion of pension fund assets remains unclaimed by an estimated 3.5 million pension fund members or their beneficiaries. This is according to the Financial Services Board (FSB) which recently held a round-table discussion to address the...
Proposals by National Treasury aim to simplify retirement savings and reduce costs. National Treasury recently released its latest paper on retirement reform entitled Retirement reform: lowering charges and improving market conduct in which it...
By Tanya Lochner, fiduciary specialist at Glacier by Sanlam In the foreseeable future retirement annuities will no longer fall outside of your estate for estate duty purposes, so bear that in mind when you do your estate planning. Since 2007, a...
Debt is the main reason people withdraw their retirement benefits when changing jobs, according to key findings of the 2015 Sanlam Benchmark Survey, a comprehensive annual review of South Africa’s retirement industry. After interviewing thousands...
For most people, cost is a primary consideration in almost every purchase decision. Except, it seems, when it comes to critical financial decisions, such as buying a savings or investment product. Many South African retirement investors therefore...
What levels of real growth are needed for a comfortable retirement outcome? Are retirement funds investing aggressively enough to achieve this? Barend Ritter, Portfolio Manager at Sanlam Investments, takes a stand and makes a case for equities. In...
While many professional women earn impressive salaries and contribute towards corporate pension requirements, Citadel Advisory Partner Kirsten Smit says that it's important to build wealth outside your job. Many women believe they can only become...
The phased reform of South Africa's retirement sector may have a far-reaching impact on retirees – especially those who have not recently assessed their strategy. While many of the mooted retirement reforms will only be implemented next year, one...
South Africans are now able to invest up to R30 000 a year in tax-free savings accounts (TFSAs). The aim of these savings accounts is to encourage South Africans to save for medium-term goals and emergency funding, reducing our reliance on debt and...
By Simon Pearce, CEO Marriott Asset Management Saving is rather like trying to lose weight: it takes effort and willpower, and is entirely up to you. People often ask me how much of their annual income they should save. I tell them that 30% will...
Middle and upper-class South Africans are earning more than enough to afford comfortable lifestyles, but they need to come to terms with the trade-offs required to ensure that their lifestyles are sustainable well into a long retirement. Andrew Bradley, chief...
The continued mass resignations and cashing-in of pension funds by employees belonging to the Government Employees Pension Fund is a concern that has been highlighted widely. The biggest risk in withdrawing your pension fund is the issue of financial stability at...
We know if we want to lose weight we need to eat less and exercise more and we know that in order to grow wealth we must spend less and save more. So why then do we give in and buy the chocolate bar at the counter when we purchase our groceries, or whip out our credit...
In today's Internet age, keeping yourself on track financially has never been easier. There are a range of websites, smartphone apps and online financial tools to help you along the way. Track expenses and create a budget Find a way to track your daily expenses so you...
Steven Nathan, CEO of 10X Investments, tells us why saving more and spending less is one New Year's resolution we should all be sticking to. Research suggests that most people have abandoned their New Year's resolutions by the beginning of February. Spending less and...
If you cashed your pension in to pay off your bond make sure you replace it over time. Sego writes: I have R100 000 from my pension fund which I cashed out last year. I am 30 years old and have a retirement annuity which I took out recently. Should I use the R100 000...
Make sure your retirement is taken care of before you help out your adult children. Themba writes: I have just sold my home for just over R 1 000 000 and would like advice on how to invest the money in a responsible way. In December this year I will also be receiving...
By Ferdi Booysen, Head of Strategic Relationships at Old Mutual Wealth The higher interest-rate cycle begs the question: is it currently better to use your investable funds to pay off your mortgage or to add to your retirement savings? Recent interest-rate hikes – and...
When it comes to passive income most people think of property, yet a share portfolio can also be used to generate an income – one that is well diversified, tax efficient and does not require any tenant management. When it comes to investing in shares most people focus...
Our parents’ experiences can teach us a great deal about how we should be making plans for our own futures. My mother, who is now 75 years old and relies on a pension, has seen her food bill increase from R500 per month to R1 200 in just six years – that is a 140%...