Recent innovations around retirement products address the issue of how to leave a legacy while still guaranteeing your income in retirement. People generally have two fears when it comes to retirement: firstly, whether they will have sufficient...
How much do I need to retire?
Maya Fisher-FrenchAug 30, 2014
Clifford, like many people nearing the age of 50, is starting to worry about his retirement and whether or not his current savings will be enough to provide a decent income in retirement. “I would like to live on R3 million in my retirement. My...
Financial planners vs asset managers: who provides more value?
Maya Fisher-FrenchAug 24, 2014
We should be giving more awards for excellence in financial planning than for excellence in asset management. Over a 30-year period, more than two-thirds of your retirement fund costs will go to the asset manager. In fact in the final year of...
Long-term perspective: about more than just investments
Guest AuthorAug 20, 2014
Ensure that the “sandwich generation” is only a one-generation phenomenon, writes Kagisho Mahura In 1974, sociologist Dr Edward Banfield of Harvard University wrote a book entitled The Unheavenly City. In it he described one of the most profound...
The truth about retirement reform
Maya Fisher-FrenchAug 6, 2014
Setting the record straight in terms of how the government's proposed retirement reforms will affect you. Over the last few weeks vested interests have tried to create fear and confusion around the proposed retirement reform. Between unions flexing...
Using life cover to leave a family legacy
Maya Fisher-FrenchJun 28, 2014
Every parent would like to be able to leave a family legacy to help their offspring get an advantage in life and have a greater chance of creating real wealth in the family. Leaving an inheritance is one of the main goals identified by retirees...
Why retirement may be redundant
Maya Fisher-FrenchJun 17, 2014
If you are 45 or younger, forget retirement. Immortality may be within reach in the next 40 years – or at the very least we will all be living a lot longer than we are now. Viresh Maharaj from Sanlam Employment Benefits says that scientists are...
When can you withdraw from your retirement annuity?
Maya Fisher-FrenchMay 7, 2014
One of the most common questions we receive about retirement annuities is around when one can withdraw funds from them. The bottom line is that you are unable to access the funds until you retire, unless the entire amount saved in your retirement...
Don’t chase market performance
Guest AuthorMay 5, 2014
Steven Nathan, CEO of 10X Investments, warns investors not to be influenced by short-term market performance. Every year, legendary investor Warren Buffett's annual letter to shareholders offers valuable investment advice. In his most recent...
Are your children wrecking your retirement planning?
Guest AuthorApr 16, 2014
Lara Warburton of Imara Asset Management warns of the dangers of putting your children's financial needs before your own. How long should you financially support your children and when do you start looking out for your own future and that of your...

Previous Articles
Understand the retirement annuity you have signed up for
Apr 2, 2014
Before signing up for a retirement annuity make sure you understand what type of policy you are signing up for and the financial consequences should you not be able to maintain your premiums. When Neil could no longer afford to keep up with his retirement annuity (RA)...
The cost advantages of index tracking funds
Mar 26, 2014
by Mike Brown, Managing Director, etfSA.co.za Warren Buffett, the world’s most famous investor, made the following observation in his letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders in February this year. In his instruction to the Trustee of the Warren Buffett estate, he...
Retirement: still a valid concept or heading for extinction?
Feb 26, 2014
“Is retirement an idealistic industry-driven concept or is it really the picture-perfect period of peace and reflection worth striving for as a ‘natural progression’?” asks Patrick Barker, Private Client Portfolio Manager at Cannon Asset Managers. In most countries,...
Retirement: still a valid concept or heading for extinction?
Feb 26, 2014
“Is retirement an idealistic industry-driven concept or is it really the picture-perfect period of peace and reflection worth striving for as a ‘natural progression’?” asks Patrick Barker, Private Client Portfolio Manager at Cannon Asset Managers. In most countries,...
Retirement: still a valid concept or heading for extinction?
Feb 26, 2014
“Is retirement an idealistic industry-driven concept or is it really the picture-perfect period of peace and reflection worth striving for as a ‘natural progression’?” asks Patrick Barker, Private Client Portfolio Manager at Cannon Asset Managers. In most countries,...
Retirement: still a valid concept or heading for extinction?
Feb 26, 2014
“Is retirement an idealistic industry-driven concept or is it really the picture-perfect period of peace and reflection worth striving for as a ‘natural progression’?” asks Patrick Barker, Private Client Portfolio Manager at Cannon Asset Managers. In most countries,...
Fees can erode your retirement annuity value
Feb 12, 2014
Many South Africans will look to invest in a retirement annuity (RA) before the end of February, which represents the close of the country's tax year, in order to take advantage of the tax break. However, according to Steven Nathan, Chief Executive Officer of 10X...
Simple retirement calculator
Oct 25, 2013
Sanlam Employee Benefits (SEB) has developed a very simple calculation that you can use to work out whether you are on track with your retirement savings. Dawie de Villiers, CEO of SEB says the beauty of the calculation is that it can be applied with very little...
Store your pension money in a preservation fund
Oct 8, 2013
“I am about to change company and will receive R157 000 between my pension and provident fund. After tax I should receive R130 000. I have bank loans along with my wife of about R70 000, and we also want to renovate our kitchen and bedroom. What do you suggest I do...
Women and money
Sep 25, 2013
When it comes to investing and financial planning, women have a unique set of circumstances and issues, such as longevity and maternity leave, which they need to take into account. Living longer on less In May this year, Statistics SA revealed that despite one in 10...










