The tax-free savings account (TFSA) is one of the few genuinely simple gifts National Treasury has given investors. There's no catch buried in the fine print, no complicated tax return admin, and no need to be wealthy to benefit. Yet it remains one of the most...
Financial Planning and Investing
Regulatory Changes in SA Pension Funds 2024-2026: What Investors Need to Know About New Rules, Compliance, and Impact on Returns
South Africa's pension fund regulatory landscape has undergone significant transformation over the past two years. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has tightened governance requirements, mandated enhanced fee transparency, implemented new beneficiary...
The Institutional Investor’s Guide to SA Pension Funds: Understanding Fund Types, Structures, and Minimum Investment Requirements
For sophisticated investors seeking exposure to South Africa's retirement fund ecosystem, understanding the landscape of pension fund structures, fund types, and investment requirements is essential. The South African pension fund market represents one of the...
The Hidden Cost of the Born-Free Dream: Why “Black Tax” Is South Africa’s Silent Retirement Crisis
What You Will Learn From This Feature Why "black tax" exists — the historical and economic reasons so many South African professionals support extended family, rooted in apartheid-era wealth exclusion rather than personal budgeting choices. The psychological cost...
Make Your Next Car Decision a Wealth Move
Buying a car is not merely a lifestyle choice, it is one of the most significant financial decisions many individuals make outside of property ownership. Too often, people fall into the trap of purchasing “above their means” to impress family, friends, or colleagues....
How to Reach R10 Million by 65 Here is a Practical Guide for Every Age
For many working South Africans, the magic lump sum you need at retirement is R10 Million excluding the value of your home/cars and other assets, R10 Million in cash to Live a happy financially secure retirement. You don’t need to be rich, lucky or a financial genius...
Step-by-Step to Financial Freedom. Read this Guide to Smart Investing
You don’t need to be rich, lucky or a financial genius to become a successful investor. You just need the right mindset, a bit of patience and a solid plan. With the help of a qualified financial planner, anyone can start building real wealth and even leave something...
Markets Are Shaky and here’s why you should not be
Why patience is one of the most powerful investing tools you have We all set goals. We plan for the future, work hard, and try to make smart choices. But sometimes, when it comes to investing, the smartest choice is to do… absolutely nothing. Yes, nothing. That may...
Global Diplomacy and Financial Guidance and Will Planning: The Foundations of Prosperity
As global markets continue to evolve amidst shifting geopolitical, economic, and regulatory dynamics, we believe it is vital to keep our clients informed, prepared, and strategically positioned. In this month’s newsletter, we explore the role of a professional wealth...
The $1000 hotdog and why you need to start investing today!
There’s a magical financial force so powerful, yet so sneakily subtle, that even brilliant minds struggle to grasp its full potential. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t scream for attention. But quietly and persistently, it builds empires. It’s called compounding and it...
Why patience pays & how staying invested beats market timing every time
Why patience is one of the most powerful investing tools you have We all set financial goals. We plan for the future, work hard, and try to make smart choices. But sometimes, when it comes to investing, the smartest choice is to do absolutely nothing. Yes, nothing....
Why over-contributing to your retirement fund might be the smartest money move you’re not making
Let’s face it, retirement planning isn’t always the most thrilling topic. But if you knew there was a simple way to pay less tax, protect your capital, and give your future self a serious financial boost, would you do it? Well, there is and it’s called making...
Offshore Endowments Explained: How Tax-Efficient “Wrappers” Work for South African Investors
For South African investors looking to grow their retirement savings tax-efficiently, offshore endowments (also called investment wrappers) offer a compelling solution. These structures combine investment growth with tax benefits, making them popular among...
Should You Move Your Retirement Funds Offshore? Pros and Cons for South Africans
As a retiree or someone nearing retirement in South Africa, you may be concerned about the stability of your hard-earned savings. With global economic uncertainties—such as potential Trump tariffs, fluctuating exchange rates, and local market volatility—many South...
Banks & branches that have home affairs branches
For retired people who need to renew passports or get the new ID cards, the idea of going to a Home affairs branch and waiting in endless queues is a daunting task. Firstly the home affairs offices are not that easily accessible, parking is a problem and well, some f...
How to apply for a bridging loan against your pension or provident fund
Pension fund bridging finance lenders advance a portion of the expected payout to help cover immediate financial needs. The bridging finance industry is often high risk which means the terms are going to be favourable to the lender with a high cost of lending...
How to be sure you are not being scammed by an unclaimed benefit tracing agent
The value of unclaimed benefits of around R88 Billion is owing to beneficiaries of various policy/investment types and a concerted effort is being made to distribute this money to the rightful beneficiaries. An injection into the economy of this money will do wonders...
How life expectancy has increased over the last 100 years
The average age at death worldwide, often referred to as life expectancy at birth, has significantly increased over the last 100 years due to advancements in healthcare, sanitation, nutrition, and living conditions. Below is an approximate overview of global...
Retirement investing strategies in your 20’s, 30’s and 50’s
What you need to consider when investing for retirement Target Amount You aim to have accumulated an amount that will afford you the lifestyle you deserve at your desired retirement age. This gives you a goal to work toward and should be discussed and calculated with...
Breaking free from overwhelming debt – A 9 Step strategy to regaining control
Debt can feel like a crushing weight, especially when it comes from multiple sources—mortgages, credit cards, student loans, and store cards. It’s easy to feel trapped in a cycle where minimum payments seem never-ending, and the overall debt keeps growing. But...
How does Debt Management Affect Your Credit Score
What is a credit score? We have all seen the ads with the two guys sitting on the couch watching TV and discussing credit scores. Your credit score is an indicator of how much of a risk any lender will have to take by lending you money or providing you with finance...
How to take a loan against your pension/provident fund
What You Will Learn From This Article The one legal restriction that applies to every pension fund loan in South Africa, regardless of what your fund's own rules say The two real ways to borrow against your retirement savings, and why one of them has become far less...
10 Ways to improve your position for retirement as you approach 60 years old
Many people lost large portions of the retirement savings by investing in the Sharemax scheme which has highlighted the position you may find yourself in as you enter retirement age. The sharemax scheme may have been a monumental blunder by regulators and the NPA...
2 pot pension fund withdrawal system discussed (video)
The 2 pot system has become extremely confusing for some people so a lengthy discission was had with financial planners and experts from Glacier by Sanlam, moderated by Balin Herman. This is by far the most comprehensive discussion with questions and answers from the...

















