Planning Topics
Over the past year, the introduction of the Two-Pot Retirement System has sparked one of the most meaningful shifts we’ve seen in the South African retirement landscape. As someone deeply embedded in this space, I’ve observed not only how the system itself has changed but also how it has…
Most people think of financial planning as just a numbers game, focusing on investments, savings, and retirement goals. While all these need to form part of your financial planning, there’s one part of the equation that often gets overlooked or sidelined, and that’s the…
The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has appointed 32 of the country’s leading tax, forensic, risk management, and business advisory firms to a panel of experts who will bring specialised skills to enhance tax compliance and support Sars in achieving the 2025/26 revenue target of R1.986 …
What is the impact of leaving your loved ones to navigate your passing without a will? According to Sanlam Legacy, the cost of goodbye spans emotional, financial, and time-related burdens, and these can be overwhelming without proper planning in place.Your nearest and dearest will be left to…
A recent deadline for relevant entities to submit their PAIA Annual Returns by 30 June 2025 has raised the question of whether trusts are included among the entities covered by the PAIA. The PAIA’s primary aim is to grant individuals the right to access information held by both public and private…
The Two-Pot system, designed to offer South Africans a lifeline in the event of a serious rainy day, has seen such high demand for withdrawals that experts are concerned that people will have only two-thirds of their savings left. Changes in the law, which came into effect last September, made…
July is Savings Month in South Africa, so I thought I would revisit some basic concepts associated with taking a chunk of money you have earned and putting it into a financial product or instrument with a particular goal in mind.The terms we use, “saving” and “investing”, are often used…
The Office of the Pension Funds Adjudicator (PFA) has set aside the allocation of a death benefit by a pension fund after finding it failed to adequately investigate the financial dependency of a claimant and her children on the deceased. The Adjudicator, Muvhango Lukhaimane, ordered the Private…
Becoming a millionaire might sound out of reach, but saving like one? That’s something you can start doing right now. Wealthy people don’t get rich by accident. While they may earn more than the average person, it’s how they manage and grow their money that makes the real difference. The good news…
South African expatriates living and working abroad are firmly in the Tax Man’s sights.Recent enhancements indicate the South African Revenue Service (Sars) is increasing its focus on the importance of expatriates legally confirming the basis on which they cease their tax residency status in South…
According to a survey done by Old Mutual in partnership with South Africa’s TVET colleges, many students are battling to repay their debt, with 14% skipping classes due to financial difficulty. This highlights the dire need for intervention.Although most students (72%) are confident in their…
Entering retirement in good health is a blessing, but it also brings with it the challenge of planning for a much longer life. While being free of illness can create a sense of security, it’s important not to become complacent. Here are ten financial planning considerations if you're healthy…
A detailed risk analysis in the latest PayProp Rental Index highlights a significant challenge for landlords and rental agents: more than a quarter of South African rental applicants were classed as high-risk in Q1 2025. Based on data from…
The Drinks Federation of South Africa (DF-SA) has issued a strong call for closer collaboration between government and the private sector to tackle the alarming rise in illicit alcohol trade. According to new research by Euromonitor, the illicit alcohol market in South Africa surged by 55% in…
Men are often seen as the backbone of their families, expected to be the primary financial providers, breadwinners, and protectors who ensure their households never go without. But in fulfilling these roles, who supports them? Who equips them with the financial literacy they need? Do they know how…
Understanding “offshore” starts with one simple certainty: nothing in the South African Income Tax or Reserve Bank regulations prohibits South Africans from opening a bank or investment account, or setting up an offshore trust.Placing money offshore is often a prudent financial strategy.…
Financial scams are evolving rapidly, and some of the most deceptive ones no longer begin with cold calls or phishing emails, but with what seems like a genuine and personal conversation, says financial services provider FNB.The bank warns that romantic financial scams, often disguised as sincere…
Only 10% of respondents in the 2025 FNB Retirement Insights Survey are planning to fully retire at 60, according to recently released data.Now in its third year, the FNB Retirement Insights Survey reveals that although 60% of South Africans under 60 say they have a retirement plan, very few are…
Between juggling daily work deadlines and consistent personal commitments, we know that your credit score may be the last thing on your mind. At least, until the moment you apply for a loan, when it becomes the one measure that matters most. It’s important to check your credit score and credit…
Financial services provider Old Mutual has reported a total of R14.7 billion in risk-related claims paid during 2024, representing a 4.3% increase compared to the R14.1 billion paid in 2023. This is according to its latest annual claims statistics report.Approximately half of the total payout,…