It’s Never Too Early (or Too Late) to Start Investing
Ask most South Africans why they haven’t started investing yet, and you’ll probably hear the same answers: “I’m too young to worry about that, I’ve got time later.” “It’s too late for me now.” “I don’t have enough to invest to make it worthwhile.” These are all understandable feelings, but they’re not facts. The most […]
RA vs TFSA: What Is the Advantage of a Tax-Free Savings Account?
In his Budget Speech, the Minister of Finance announced an increase in the annual tax-free savings account (TFSA) contribution limit from R36,000 to R46,000 – the most significant boost to this allowance in years, and a timely reminder of just how powerful this vehicle can be. When used properly, it can deliver completely tax-free returns […]
Confusion Around Foreign Retirement Lump Sums
SARS issued two Binding Private Rulings (BPR 421 and BPR 422) on 26 November 2025, both dealing with South African tax residents receiving lump sums from foreign retirement funds. At face value, the scenarios appear almost identical. Yet, the tax outcomes differ significantly. One possibility is that the two BPRs were drafted by separate members […]
Budget 2026 Explained: Where Taxpayers Gain and Where They Don’t
After last year’s “third-time lucky” Budget, many predicted doom and gloom this year. There was talk of the need for an additional R20 billion of tax hikes – whether in the form of the much-maligned VAT increase proposal rearing its ugly head, or direct personal income tax hikes. That didn’t happen. In presenting his 2026 […]
Buy or Rent in South Africa 2026: Make the Right Choice for Your Future
One of the most important financial decisions in life is whether you should buy or rent property. With interest rates finally easing and the property market showing signs of recovery, the timing has never been more critical. Let’s break down everything you need to know to make the best choice for your situation. The Case […]
Retirement Planning in a Digital Age
As South Africa becomes increasingly digitised, the way we communicate and plan for the future has fundamentally shifted. According to the 2025 DataReportal, 50.8 million South Africans are now online, representing 78.9% of the population. While this signals remarkable progress, it also reveals a quiet trade-off: convenience often comes at the expense of depth and […]
Why Topping Up Your Retirement Annuity Before 28 February Makes Financial Sense
The 2026 tax year for individual taxpayers is closing on 28 February, and many taxpayers look for legitimate and effective ways to reduce their tax liability while building long-term financial security. One of the most powerful tools available is topping up your retirement annuity (RA) in January or February, before the end of the tax […]
Who Gets to Tax Your Retirement Benefits?
Navigating double taxation agreements in retirement planning. Cross-border retirement planning raises difficult tax questions. This article unpacks how double taxation agreements (DTAs) shape the taxation of lump sums and annuities, and the steps advisors can take to help preserve clients’ retirement benefits. For South Africans who have built their careers locally but now live abroad, […]
Four Tips for Navigating the ‘Two-Pot’ Pension Rules
South Africa changed its pension laws with effect from 1 September 2024. The new system is designed to give individuals the opportunity to access only a portion of their retirement funds before they retire, in the case of dire need, or even in case of desire. To an extent, this makes sense, given the low […]
Rethinking retirement investment risk
Why getting aggressive with your pension portfolio pays off. As retirement approaches, many people reduce their risk profile by shifting their pension investments to more conservative assets like bonds and money market. However, this traditional strategy, though designed to protect against market volatility, can actually diminish the future growth potential of retirement savings – especially […]