As South Africa continues to grapple with economic inequality, infrastructure backlogs, and retirement insecurity, the employee benefits industry stands at a pivotal crossroads. Pension funds - custodians of long term retirement savings - have a unique...
Articles

South Africa’s path to compulsory preservation
The two-pot retirement system represents one of the biggest evolutions in the South African retirement industry landscape to date and aims to address two major challenges in retirement planning: leakage and access to emergency savings. Two seemingly...
How to think about beneficiary nominations for retirement funds
Retirement funds provide financial security after the working years. If a retirement fund member dies, and a lump sum death benefit becomes payable, the trustees of the fund are responsible for distributing the death benefit fairly, in accordance with...
How the AI revolution is transforming the retirement industry
The retirement industry has been marked by innovation since its inception. But no change happens faster than the AI revolution. This transformation will lead to better member outcomes, more knowledgeable members, more knowledgeable trustees, and eventually a...
Crypto assets and retirement funds: Between caution and conviction
In the world of institutional investing, few topics have stirred as much curiosity and controversy as crypto assets. Once considered a niche interest, digital assets such as bitcoin and ethereum have evolved into a significant topic of discussion among...
Strengthening cybersecurity in pension funds: The impact of Joint Standard 2 of 2024
Cybersecurity has become a critical concern for financial institutions, particularly pension funds, which manage vast amounts of sensitive personal and financial data. Recognising the growing risks, South Africa's Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA)...
How the next evolution in employee pension benefits is about meaning
Fewer than 6% of South Africans can afford to retire comfortably, according to the National Treasury. At the same time, a 2024 PwC study found that 70% of employees experience financial stress, with nearly half saying it directly affects their productivity....
Why evolutionary thinking still matters in retirement investing
When it comes to investing, the experience matters just as much as the returns earned. That's why the idea of smoothing investment returns continues to resonate, especially in today's climate of elevated uncertainty and market volatility. While smoothing may...
Be the evolution: A call to redesign South Africa’s retirement industry
The South African retirement fund industry is on the edge of a precipice. Crumbling under low savings rates, disengaged members, rising inequality and complex reforms like the two-pot system, the time for gradual change is over. The time for evolutionaries –...
It’s time to rethink, redesign and reconnect with members
Whether you are a Baby Boomer, belong to Generation Z, or are any age in between, you have become used to the convenience and immediacy that the internet has brought to our lives. From banking apps, to online shopping, to fast food deliveries, we have come...