I’m thinking about resigning so I can cash out my pension and rather invest the funds myself. What are the pros and cons of doing this? Maya's Answer Some people feel more in control if they can manage their own investments, however, this is not...
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Investment strategies for retirement
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...
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...
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...
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...
Financial independence needs a plan
While financial independence is a goal many people aspire to, it means different things to different people. For some people, financial independence means having enough capital to provide an income that covers their expenses. This is the goal...
Addressing the gender pension gap
South Africa’s gender pension gap sits at 26%, reflecting the average difference in retirement income between men and women. Farzana Botha, Segment Manager at Sanlam Risk and Savings, says that often, women cannot afford to retire as early or as...
Listen: Take this opportunity to boost your retirement income
In this podcast Maya speaks to Deane Moore, CEO of the Just Group about how to use a guaranteed annuity to boost your retirement income, even if you are already in retirement. If you have a retirement annuity or a pension fund, you should know that...
Further clarity on the two-pot system for retirement funds
Over the last few years, National Treasury has been working on introducing the so-called two-pot system for retirement funds. Recent updates to the draft legislation are open for public comment and have provided further clarity on how the system...
Young investors: the earlier you start, the better
Getting an early start is crucial if you want to achieve a comfortable retirement. Adriaan Pask, Chief Investment Officer at PSG Wealth shares nine rules of thumb for young investors who want to secure a strong financial future. Rule 1: Plan to...
Previous Articles
GEPF targeted in disinformation campaign
Over the last month the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) and its fund manager the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) have been the centre of what appears to be a disinformation campaign. This has been fueled by social media posts claiming that there is an...
Listen: Consider the post-retirement impact of your investment strategy
In this podcast, I chat to certified financial planner Wynand Gouws, wealth manager at Gradidge Mahura Investments and author of To 100 and Beyond. He argues that a retirement strategy aimed at optimising only pre-retirement tax savings is short sighted, and that not...
Video: How we sabotage our retirement
For most of us, retirement is one of our most important goals. Putting away money for our retirement is probably the biggest investment we will make in our lifetime, yet we find so many ways to sabotage our retirement goals. The most common mistake is cashing in our...
GEPF revises resignation benefit
On 1 November, the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) revised its actuarial factors. This will have an impact on the resignation benefit of members, in calculation of a divorce order, or for members who exit the fund with fewer than 10 years of pensionable...
The GEPF formula for calculating payouts
The Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) is a defined benefit fund. This means the pension received by a member has nothing to do with the investment performance of the fund. A member's pension payout is determined according to the GEPF formula. GEPF members...
The two-pot retirement system explained
On 29 July, National Treasury released its draft legislation on the so-called two-pot retirement system. It highlighted that “the proposal does not include allowing immediate access to retirement funds, but rather moves to a system that can more adequately cater for...
Video: Compounding turns time into money
Have you ever wondered why the rich keep getting richer? It has a lot to do with compounding. This is where your money makes more money when you are doing nothing. For example, you have R100 000 in a unit trust fund which is invested in the stock market. That year the...
Listen: The proposed two-pot system for retirement funds
On 29 July, National Treasury released draft legislation around early access to pension funds and the so-called “two-pot” system. This draft legislation aims at addressing two key challenges facing retirement savings: improving retirement outcomes by introducing...
Listen: Living to 100
More and more people seem to be living to 100 and beyond. Scientists are predicting that the average life expectancy in the UK will hit 100 in 2064. Even today, the chance of a 50-year-old woman living to 100 is almost 1 in 10. For some people that may be a very...
How retirees can reduce their tax
It often comes as a surprise to pensioners that they are still liable for tax. The bottom line is if you receive an income above a certain amount, it will be taxed, but there are certain measures that can be used so retirees can reduce their tax. Most retirees would...