What if You Live Longer Than You Thought You Would?
We spend our whole lives planning for retirement. While nurturing our nest egg, we worry about short-term risks. Things like wars, elections, interest rates, leaking roofs and tax breaks.
But how many of us stop to consider the prospect of living to 90 or 100? People are living longer than ever before. But most of us don’t pay enough attention to longevity when planning for retirement. Read on for some tips on how to have a long and happy retirement.
Climbing a ‘Wall of Worry’ on an Unstable Footing
Global markets are currently climbing a classic “wall of worry”, stubbornly rising against a persistent backdrop of uncertainty.
However, this rally is increasingly viewed as fragile, driven more by positioning and narrative than by a fundamental assessment of the real risks arising out of the Iran war.
Why Every South African Also Needs a ‘Digital Will’
Estate planning in South Africa has followed a well-trodden path: we draft a will, appoint an executor, and ensure our physical assets – the house, the car, the Krugerrands – are accounted for.
However, in an era where our lives are increasingly hosted in the cloud, a significant portion of our estates is becoming invisible. Without a “digital will” or a comprehensive folder, your heirs may find themselves locked out of your financial, sentimental, and professional life.
Death and (Capital Gains) Taxes: Don’t Get Caught Out
Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is not a flashy, Ferrari-driving, Gucci-wearing kind of tax. Instead, it quietly goes about its business in the background, day in and day out. This doesn’t make it any less consequential.
Many estates that appear financially secure can come under unexpected pressure from Capital Gains Tax at death. The good news is that there are several relief mechanisms within the tax system that, with careful planning, can meaningfully reduce this impact.