For decades, employee benefits have largely been viewed through a transactional lens. Employers provided benefits, insurers assessed claims and employees accessed support when something went wrong. While this model has served an important purpose, today’s...
When I joined the Board of the Institute of Retirement Funds Africa (IRFA) in 2013, I could not have imagined the extent of change that our retirement industry would experience over the next decade. When I was elected President and Chairperson in 2021, we...
Section 37C of the Pension Funds Act (“the Act”) is familiar territory for boards of funds but remains a difficult terrain to navigate. Trustees know the required stages: identify dependants and nominees, assess their circumstances, make an equitable...
The recent Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB) Chief Executives Committee (CEC) meeting in Cape Town brought together global leaders in financial planning to share affiliate updates across territories. While each market has its own nuances, a...
The governance of retirement funds in South Africa is undergoing a significant shift, driven in part by the anticipated enactment of the Conduct of Financial Institutions (COFI) Bill. COFI seeks to introduce a consolidated, principles based regulatory...
Africa’s retirement funds stand at an important point in their evolution. The primary question before trustees remains whether an investment strategy can deliver appropriate financial returns for members. That responsibility is non-negotiable. Yet in a world...
The Conduct of Financial Institutions (COFI) Bill marks a decisive shift in how financial services will be regulated in South Africa. Yet COFI should not be misunderstood as simply another compliance regime layered onto an already complex regulatory...
The South African financial sector is on the cusp of a profound transformation, with the Conduct of Financial Institutions (COFI) Bill poised to redefine the regulatory landscape for all financial institutions, including retirement funds. The Institute of...
The 2025 IRFA Annual Conference in August was a resounding success. Under the theme “Building Resilience: Leading Change for a Lasting and Positive Impact,” it brought together more than a thousand delegates from across Africa - trustees, regulators, fund...
Section 37C investigations remain one of the onerous duties for trustees to navigate. The Constitutional Court's ruling in Mutsila v Municipal Gratuity Fund and Others [2025] ZACC 17 provides much needed guidance and clarity on the application of section 37C...
