Beplanning onderwerpe
South Africa’s property market is evolving, with stats showing that the number of people who rent and who live in sectional titles (like apartments or townhouse complexes) is rising fast. Association of Residential Communities (ARC) data shows that 5 million people live in ‘organised…
As parents, one of the hardest things to contemplate is the possibility of not being around to raise our children. Yet, planning for such a possibility is one of the most responsible things we can do. While financial provision is an essential part of any estate plan, it’s equally important to…
Experts at a recent Stonehage Fleming Family Office panel discussion emphasise the importance of early education, structured communication, and coordinated advisory strategies when preparing the next generation to inherit and manage family wealth.The event addresses a growing concern in family…
With the 2025 tax filing season fast approaching, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) has introduced a new user-friendly e-Filing feature aimed at making tax compliance simpler and more accessible for the ordinary taxpayer.By implementing the ‘Express Access’ feature for taxpayers using the e-…
I started investing a fixed amount of R1 500 per month towards a retirement annuity last year. How should I factor inflation into my investment for optimal returns when I retire? Tunin Roy, Wealth Adviser, PSG Wealth, Cape TownInflation is one of the biggest threats to your savings, and…
During a recent speech, Edward Kieswetter, the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (Sars), stated that the total amount of tax collected from retirement fund members who made Savings Pot withdrawals amounted to around R15 billion. Put differently, Sars on average received about…
The National Financial Ombud Ombud Scheme (NFO) has been operating for just over a year, and last week it released its first annual report for 2024. The scheme incorporated the ombuds offices for insurance, banking, and non-bank credit providers under an overarching Chief Ombud, with separate…
South Africa’s short-term insurer, Santam, has released its 2025 Insurance Barometer, which paints a sobering picture of the risks confronting local households and businesses. Economic strain, infrastructure decay, crime, and increasingly erratic weather patterns tied to climate change have emerged…
Economist Azar Jammine did a little bit of investigative work recently, reviewing a life insurance policy. What he found was rather astonishing: it would pay more for the policy owner to die now because, in about a decade, the premiums paid would amount to more than the value of the policyholder’s…
Integrating tax planning into your estate strategy is essential to ensure your legacy is preserved and your heirs are protected. Without a clear understanding of how tax applies after death, your estate could face administrative delays, unexpected liabilities, and erosion of value. Here are three…
Most people dream of achieving financial freedom, but too often, they sprint toward wealth, only to see their lack of strategy and support trip them up. This impatience can be costly. Building wealth is less like a 100-metre dash and more like running a marathon: it’s about setting a…
Starting your professional journey is exciting; a steady income, financial independence, and the ability to finally say yes to things you've been putting off. But with this newfound freedom comes responsibility, especially when it comes to credit. South African youth are increasingly…
As we reach the year’s halfway point, many South Africans are beginning to feel the financial pinch, not just from rising living costs, but also from depleted Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs). It’s in these moments that the limitations of traditional gap cover become painfully clear. While…
With more young adults making bold financial decisions, buying homes, financing cars, and stepping into ownership, insurance must become a priority conversation for this age group, according to Standard Bank.The group says it recently released its youth barometer, which reveals that 40% of all new…
South Africa’s consumer credit landscape experienced significant growth in several key sectors during the first quarter of 2025, according to TransUnion’s Q1 2025 South Africa Industry Insights Report. However, this expansion was accompanied by a concerning rise in delinquencies, particularly…
Did you know there are more people over the age of 65 than those under the age of 5? According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the world reached this demographic milestone for the first time in 2018. While this shift is reshaping economies, social systems, and industries globally, it…
Over-indebtedness is a growing and pervasive issue in South Africa, with profound legal, psychological, and social implications. Beyond its evident economic impact, excessive debt has been linked to deteriorating mental health, impaired decision-making, and diminished functional capacity. These…
In this second article on life insurance, I look at level versus escalating premium patterns, why you get what you pay for, and how life cover fits into your long-term financial plan. Here’s a quick recap from last week (“Understand these basics before buying life cover”, Personal Finance,…
With the traditional nuclear family no longer the norm, financial planning has had to evolve to cater to blended families and their unique dynamics. Whether bound by marriage, adoption, or partnership, blended families face a complex mix of emotional and financial obligations. Here are six key…
Eight years ago, I met a newly married couple just beginning their journey together. He was 29 and she was 26. Like many young professionals, they had some of the building blocks of a financial plan but had not yet assembled the full picture. At the time, they were living with their…