Planning Topics

By Brett Ladouce Your retirement fund benefits are generally well protected in terms of the Pension Funds Act, and they can generally not be reduced, transferred or be liable to be attached by your creditors. Your fund also has a legal obligation to ensure that your full benefit is paid out to you…

By Claire KlassenDespite getting a bad rap in the past, millennials – defined as those born between 1981 – 1986 – are now all grown up. And, for an age group that was once unfairly dubbed the most narcissistic generation of all time, they’re actually pretty good parents.Known for their ‘positive…

When you are younger the focus is on establishing your career, making your marking in the world and perhaps even starting a family but it is also important to take care of your money now to protect your financial future. Financial planning is a journey, not a destination, a fact that people forget…

In a joint Annual Report, the Ombudsman for Long-term Insurance (Olti) and the Ombudsman for Short-term Insurance (Osti), which has as its theme “Shaping our Tomorrow”, said this week that the highlight of the 2022 financial year was Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s recognition of the Ombud…

The Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) had its International Fraud Summit this week. And if I wasn’t scared of the bogeyman before, I am definitely now. I’m not even sure who the bogeyman is anymore, as international cybercrime syndicates have made financial fraud faceless and…

The research shows that Financial strains have prompted many South Africans to stop paying their risk insurance premiums and cash in their investment policies. In fact, 1Life stats reveal that in 2022, the non-payment of premiums increased by 3% each month and up to 17% in December 2022 compared to…

PAULVIA Shiburi, the founder of PS Debt Management, is someone with a passion for helping young people achieve financial literacy, and freedom from debt. After accruing debt herself at a young age, she made it her mission to ensure that information about financial management was readily available…

By Samir GhribA credit score is a direct reflection of how an individual manages their debt. Because credit scores are affected by a number of variables and financial metrics, they tend to fluctuate over the course of a lifetime. A healthy credit score can be a powerful tool for managing your…

Sharing financial goals and attitudes is one of the most essential parts of a solid long-term relationship. A lack of financial compatibility is one of the factors that can make couples fall out of love, according to Janine Horn, financial adviser at Momentum.Horn said that financial dating is an…

The key to building your wealth is to start as early as possible, but often this is easier said than done for the younger generation, according to Kerry King, advisory partner at Citadel.Various factors such as debt, the cost of living crisis and retrenchments make it difficult for people in their…

In our busy modern world, the only thing we can rely on is that things will change.In the past few years, we have seen a global pandemic, an ongoing war, social and political unrest, the rise of remote work and other momentous shifts that have changed the face of the business landscape. In light of…

Retirement is an inevitable phase of life that awaits each and every one of us. Saving for retirement is crucial.It is more important than ever for you to think about where your income will come from when you retire. Nidia Lourens, Senior Actuary at Metropolitan, shed light on the importance of…

South Africans today find themselves in a time of economic instability. Rapidly increasing interest rates and cost-of-living expenses are placing immense pressure on already struggling consumers. However, reducing your insurance cover or cancelling your policy to improve cash flow may seem cost-…

Rising interest rates and costs of living are forcing many homeowners to give up their homes as they can no longer afford their bond repayments.But while selling may be a good idea in some instances, it should never be your first option, experts say.Rather, you should approach your bank as soon as…

The cost of funerals in the country increase by 12% year-on-year, according to StatsSA. Considering the rise in cost of living it is unlikely that funeral-related costs will come down anytime soon.South Africa is the world’s fourth most expensive country for dying, with 13% of the annual average…

The online gambling industry is thriving in South Africa. The latest estimates have its annual gross revenue at around R35 billion, while every 10th citizen places bets or plays casino games.These numbers grow yearly; the same can be said about the number of online casinos in South Africa. This is…

The new sin tax on vaping products came into force on June 1, more than doubling the retail price of many vape e-liquids, regardless of the nicotine content. The tax is being levied at R348 per 120ml bottle, equivalent to R2.90/ml.This is the first instance I am aware of where we have a tax being…

South African consumers are under a lot of financial pressure following the recent interest rate hike as well as rising inflation and increases in the cost of living.According to Lephoi Mokgatle, head of Product at Momentum Money, the current economic climate further emphasises why getting the most…

ITHUBA emerges as Africa's leading National Lottery Operator, celebrating 8 Years of unprecedented success. This is their story; from start-up to standout.ITHUBA, South Africa's proud National Lottery Operator, is marking its 8th anniversary this month, solidifying its position as the top operator…

By Mariska CominsAccording to the Association for Saving & Investment SA’s 2022 Life and Disability Insurance Gap Study, 14.3 million income earners in South Africa have enough life and disability insurance to cover only 45% of the total needs of their household.The implications of this for…