South African markets continued to show resilience during August (SA Equities up 4.6%), supported by improving investor sentiment, attractive bond yields and strength in resource and financial shares. Commodity prices, particularly gold and platinum group metals, remained supportive, helping offset the country’s ongoing growth challenges. Over the past few months, a more stable fiscal backdrop…
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average person stays in a job less than four years. Most people will switch employers multiple times. This might mean you have more opportunities to boost your salary and career prospects, but it also means you’re triggering many decisions about what to do with your retirement savings. Let’s look at how the “two-pot” retirement system has changed resignation rules for fund members, and break down your options when moving to a new job.
We spend our whole lives planning for retirement. While nurturing our nest egg, we worry about short-term risks. Things like wars, elections, interest rates, leaking roofs and tax breaks.
But how many of us stop to consider the prospect of living to 90 or 100? People are living longer than ever before. But most of us don’t pay enough attention to longevity when planning for retirement. Read on for some tips on how to have a long and happy retirement.
Retirement has long been seen as a binary switch: you worked until 60 or 65, and then shuffled off to live off your pension.
But so much has changed. Economic shifts, increased longevity, and the “fractionalisation” of the workplace have birthed a new era: The “grey zone”. In this article, we explore why it’s time to look at retirement in a completely different way.
“The avoidance of taxes is the only intellectual pursuit that still carries any reward. (John Maynard Keynes) 1. Boost your retirement savings Contributing to a Retirement Annuity (RA) before 28 February can reduce your taxable income and grow your long-term wealth. If you haven’t maximised your annual tax deduction for contributions to retirement funds, this…
“The greatest danger in times of turbulence is to act with yesterday’s logic.” (Peter Drucker) For a long time, South Africans have been told to use a simple formula to figure out how much money they will need in retirement: multiply their annual expenses by 25. The “25× Rule” comes from 4% withdrawal guideline of…
“Marriage is the chief cause of divorce.” (Groucho Marx) Retirement savings typically account for a substantial portion of a person’s wealth. When a marriage ends, these savings can become a serious bone of contention. The good news is that, starting 1 September 2024, the definition of pension interest will be standardised across all retirement funds.…
“The number of cases of dementia is estimated to almost triple by 2050.” (World Health Organisation) Although the actual prevalence per capita of dementia is reportedly on the decline, aging populations ensure that it is becoming more and more of a problem in society – for older people, their families and caregivers. If you or…
“Risk comes from not knowing what you are doing.” (Warren Buffett) Choosing a retirement property involves considering location, cost, amenities, and healthcare services. Often, retirees prefer not to deal with the hassle of property maintenance and opt to stay in a property maintained by someone else. This also provides a sense of community. Life Rights…
“Home is not a place; it’s a feeling.” (Cecelia Ahern) Deciding whether to buy or rent your home may be one of the most important financial decisions you’ll ever make. Ultimately, the choice comes down to a combination of financial variables and personal factors, which, as we know, fluctuate unpredictably. Rands and cents Let’s start…
“Change is not a gate we pass through; it is the definition of life.” (Millie Florence) The good Supporters of the change believe that introducing an accessible savings pot can provide salvation for those in financial crises, like the one caused by the Covid pandemic. It will help people to avoid debt and prevent people…
