Planning Topics
The legal dispute involving the pension assets of the late former Deputy President David Mabuza highlights the fact that there are important structural and legal differences between financial products, where certain rules come into effect on death. It’s vital that you are fully aware of these rules…
A year after the implementation of the two-pot retirement system, as lawmakers iron out technical issues so that laws line up, trade federation Cosatu is suggesting several major changes to help workers in financial distress.While National Treasury is willing to consider some of Cosatu’s proposals…
Financial insecurity is not only about depleted bank accounts, it chips away at psychological resilience. When people lack financial confidence, they carry an invisible burden that permeates every aspect of their well-being.Sanlam’s Age of Confidence campaign shows that most…
Raising any child is costly, but when a child has special needs, the financial planning process takes on an added layer of complexity. Every diagnosis, prognosis, and expectation around life expectancy shapes the plan, and in many cases, the time horizon must extend beyond your own lifetime to…
South Africans are significantly indebted, with a large portion of their monthly income going towards servicing debt. This means that for every R100 of disposable income, South Africans currently owe R62.70. We’ve observed a combination of high interest rates, rising living costs, and…
Heart-related illnesses remain a major factor in life insurance claims. Securing life insurance is closely tied to your overall health, as your medical profile directly influences whether you can access cover and at what price.Your Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, and…
South African vehicle owners are being urged to provide full disclosure of all drivers using their vehicles when arranging car insurance. Failing to list every regular driver can lead to denied claims or voided coverage in the event of an accident. Ensuring accurate driver information is critical…
South Africa’s tax base continues to evolve in striking ways. South African Revenue Service (Sars) figures show that the number of individuals registered for tax increased from 25.9 million in 2023 to 27.1 million in 2024. Yet only 7.6 million of these were expected to file a return. At the…
Life rarely stands still. As we move from our first pay cheque to retirement, our responsibilities shift, and so should our financial priorities. But where do you start? Your financial circumstances will look very different at 25 than at 55, which is why it’s important to…
While consumers may be relieved to hear that food inflation is not increasing as quickly as before, this isn't all good news because all it means is that prices are going up at a slower pace.Inflation represents the general and sustained increase in prices over time. Simply put, it means your money…
South African workers who kept their jobs in the second quarter of the year saw modest salary increases in the second quarter of 2025.This comes even as the formal sector shed 80 000 positions between March and June.Gross earnings paid to employees inched up just 0.2% during the quarter, reaching…
Forensic backlogs, which have caused miscarriages of justice for a long time, are a crisis that I consider to be a pressing issue. There are flaws in the way in which the state laboratories conducted their tests for blood alcohol, something I picked up when I established my own private forensics…
South Africans are seemingly splashing out on credit, with credit card originations surging more than a third in the second quarter as interest rate relief finally gives consumers room to breathe.Yet, there are other indications that many South Africans are drowning in debt.TransUnion's latest…
Heritage is more than culture, traditions, and family treasures. It is also about the values and financial behaviours we pass from one generation to the next. Yet, too many South Africans are left not with opportunity or financial stability, but the weight of debt and the…
For ages, we've been sold this shiny idea that retirement is “work hard for 40 years, invest, and boom”, welcome to your reward of endless golf, beach chairs, and grandkid photos. Punch in, punch out, straight to margarita time. But honestly, that’s looking pretty outdated now, almost like a hoax.…
Thousands of South African motorists are driving vehicles that fail basic roadworthiness standards – and when accidents happen, they're discovering their insurance won't cover them.The National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFO) has warned that insurers are increasingly denying claims or limiting payouts…
Women are often better investors than men, with research showing they take measured risks, favour long-term holdings, and remain calm during market downturns. These traits set them up for success, yet unique financial risks still leave many women vulnerable—making it essential to recognise and…
The unfolding legal battle over the late former Deputy President David Mabuza’s R44 million pension payout has become a cautionary tale for South Africans in customary partnerships.With two women laying claim to his estate, one through a long-standing customary union, the other via a disputed…
Siemens Healthineers has announced that it was working side by side with the Gauteng Provincial Government to strengthen heart care where it is needed most. According to the group, in five of the province’s busiest hospitals, obsolete systems have been replaced with cutting-edge cath labs, enabling…
The South African Revenue Service (Sars) and the Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) have jointly expressed concern over a recent article published by the Sowetan, which reported a surge in hijacked Sars eFiling profiles allegedly linked to cyber-fraud syndicates, and that these incidents have reportedly…