Planning Topics
By: Siyakha MasiyeWhile saving is a fundamental aspect of financial planning, short-term insurance often stands as the unsung hero that underpins true financial stability. By exploring the critical role that insurance plays, we can better appreciate its importance as a strategic…
As the festive season approaches, South Africans gear up for holidays, family gatherings, and end-of-year celebrations. However, Karen Rimmer, Head of Distribution at PSG Insure, says that homeowners and business owners should prioritise an essential task: reviewing and updating short-term…
By: André Daniels and Colleen KaufmannIn recent times, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) has intensified its crackdown on high-net-worth individuals who live extravagantly while neglecting their tax obligations. A recent case involving Ngwane Roux Shabangu, a businessman presented…
Understanding where and how those opportunities exist and what’s needed to meet that need and moreResearch released by retail analyst Trade Intelligence earlier this year indicated that township trade brings in about R200 billion annually.This is a staggering figure considering that high…
The Auditor-General has made significant strides in financial accountability, saving taxpayers an impressive R3.47 billion for the 2023/2024 fiscal year. This achievement comes in the context of auditing a staggering R3.7 trillion government budget, underscoring the A-G’s vital role in enhancing…
In a challenging economic climate, South African consumers are making savvy financial decisions when it comes to their vehicles. The trend is clear - more people are opting for used cars, and driving their existing ones for longer. South Africa’s pre-owned vehicle market has taken off, far…
By: Marianne SmithLike the folkloric fairytale of the magic porridge pot that wouldn’t stop cooking, the two-pot lid is off and the proverbial floodgates are open.According to the latest report from the South African Revenue Service (Sars), more than R21.4bn has…
When South Africa was greylisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in February 2023, many people believed that its damaging effect was already anticipated and largely priced in by the financial markets at that time and, therefore, did not present a significant further risk to the stability…
This past week South Africa’s Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana delivered the 2024 Medium Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) to update on the nation’s finances. It is no secret that the economic performance of the country can directly have an impact on consumers The MTBPS plays an important role by…
By: Harry Scherzer“Get as much of your money offshore as possible.” For many years, that’s been the advice that South African financial advisors have given to their customers, and with good reason too. Not only does offshore exposure mean a more diversified portfolio of investments, but it’s also…
Economists and financial analysts are fairly mixed on the outcome of next week’s US election, its effect on the US and global economies, and how the financial markets will react, but appear to agree on some fundamentals.Here is a selection of their views, leaving you to draw your own conclusions…
China, Europe, and the United States represent around two-thirds of total car sales and stocks, meaning that the EV transition in these markets has major repercussions in terms of global trends.1. Global electric vehicle (EV) sales are projected to remain robust in 2024, reaching around 17 million…
In a world where financial security feels increasingly elusive, Bidvest Life’s 2023 Claims Report delivers a jarring wake-up call for financial advisers: the urgency to engage younger clients with robust income protection strategies.The statistics are compelling: millennials aged 28-43 are 55 times…
By: Nicola MawsonThe fact that people have been battling financially is clearly shown in the numbers coming out of the new administration’s first budget earlier this week. The Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement, tabled by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on Wednesday, showed that the economic…
By: Hannah Myburgh If you’ve been contributing to your employer’s pension fund and are contemplating retirement, you may be curious as to what the process of formal retirement entails. In this article, we break down the steps involved and the decisions that need to be made. Let’s assume that you…
Standard Bank simplifies access to unclaimed benefits through its appStandard Bank says it has made it easier for clients to access previously unclaimed dividends, pensions, and insurance benefits. Partnering with the unclaimed benefits tracing company Robin Hood, the bank has streamlined the…
Did you know that you may be able to recover a portion of the dividends tax on your offshore investments? This is because of tax-rate differences in taxation treaties between South Africa and other countries.Mark Berger, chief executive officer of Global Tax Recovery, which specialises in…
By: Bastian TeichgreeberAs the global economic environment continues to be marked by uncertainty, investors and market watchers alike are speculating on the future movements of the South African rand. While local issues often dominate the narrative, the rand’s fate may hinge more on global factors…
The Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (Asisa) has introduced new categories for unit trusts, enhancing the ability for investors to compare the performances and risk profiles of South Africa's 1,852 local collective investment scheme (CIS) portfolios. This update to the Fund…
Annabel BishopThe 2024’s Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) saw a deterioration in the fiscal metrics against expectations, causing the rand to weaken to R17.76 against the dollar from R17.63 and bond yields rose. However, a strong gross domestic product (GDP) print in the US yesterday for…