Do I have to purchase an annuity at retirement? When I reach retirement age, must I invest my provident fund in an annuity, or can I just build a unit trust portfolio with an asset manager and draw a yearly “salary” of not more than 4%? Will there...
Your retirement income options
Maya Fisher-FrenchMay 22, 2019
There are two main options when it comes to purchasing an annuity income: a guaranteed life annuity or a living annuity. If you are a member of a pension fund or have a retirement annuity, two-thirds of your final retirement amount must be used to...
Beware of your financial adviser asking you to move your investments
Mapalo MakhuMar 18, 2019
It is not uncommon for investors to move their investments from one insurer or asset manager to another. Whether it is because of the promise of better returns, to lower costs or just not being happy with the current company, investors do move...
Is retirement even possible?
Maya Fisher-FrenchMar 26, 2018
I recently had a very interesting conversation with Lourens Coetzee of investment company Marriott, who said that the industry is coming to the realisation that retirement, in the way that we currently understand the concept, is no longer feasible....
How to evaluate your current retirement annuity
Guest AuthorDec 27, 2016
By Tracy Jensen, Chief Product Architect at 10X Investments A retirement annuity (or RA) is a pension fund for individuals, and one of the ways to save for retirement. In principle, it is a voluntary, tax-efficient savings tool to help you achieve...
Do I need a retirement annuity and a pension fund?
Maya Fisher-FrenchApr 29, 2016
Mokgotla writes: I am 35 years old and I want to invest R700 a month in a retirement annuity. My company is also contributing to my pension fund. Is this a good idea and how do I invest? Maya replies: Since 1 March 2016 you are able to invest up to...
High income earners’ retirement reform conundrum
Guest AuthorFeb 2, 2016
With retirement legislation set to change from 1 March 2016, high-earning executives with annual salaries above R1.27 million who are pension and provident fund members, may be affected by the newly introduced annual contribution cap of R350 000....
Retirement reform going ahead
Guest AuthorDec 8, 2015
By Vickie Lange, Institutional Best Practice Specialist at Alexander Forbes Last year the tax changes to all retirement funds and the retirement benefit changes to provident funds (together known as T-day changes) which were originally scheduled...
Saving for retirement
Maya Fisher-FrenchOct 19, 2015
In Episode 5 of Change in your Pocket, we look at the various options available when it comes to saving money for your retirement. https://youtu.be/UIyKKLfYcyo – Video supplied by BrightRock Welcome to The Change Exchange, where we are helping you...
Retirement annuity tax loophole to be closed
Guest AuthorJul 11, 2015
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...
Previous Articles
Retirement reform myths: time for a rethink
Apr 10, 2015
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 of the first changes,...
The truth about retirement reform
Aug 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 their political...
When can you withdraw from your retirement annuity?
May 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 annuity is less than...
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...
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...
Why can’t I cash in my retirement annuity?
Aug 13, 2013
Sibusiso wants to know if he can cash in his retirement annuity in order to keep up with his mortgage payments. “I am 32 years old and have been unemployed since March 2012 and living off my provident fund since then. In January 2013 I had to make my retirement...
New Retirement Annuity product still too costly
May 24, 2013
The launch of Itransact, a new index tracking retirement annuity, highlights the growth in passive investing but the costs are still too high. This week Itransact launched the first retirement annuity to invest in exchange traded funds (ETFs). Exchange Traded Funds...