Save for your golden years

Saving for retirement can prove to be a very complex task, however, this does not have to be the case. Many people are not making the necessary provisions for retirement. When you start a new job or enter the workforce for the first time, the last thing you think about is saving for retirement, however, you should start saving for retirement as soon as possible, to ensure that you live comfortably in your old age.

It does not matter how far away you are from retirement, you should start saving and not spend this money on other things. As a rule of thumb, it is recommended to save 15% of your gross income, over a period of 40 years, between the ages of 25 to 65. Remember, you will also need to develop a financial plan for major life events – expected and unexpected. This could include anything from medical needs to changing family dynamics.

When thinking about your financial future, it’s important that you make retirement planning a top priority. Today, it’s even more important to start planning for retirement early, as fewer employers are offering pensions and retirement savings. This means that retirement is now more challenging than ever, as traditional pension plans are becoming few and far between. Recently, the responsibility of saving for retirement has shifted from the employer to the employee.

Another reason why it is important to start saving for retirement as early as possible is that longer lifespans have led to people outliving their savings. For example, if you live up to 78 years old, you will be in retirement for a long time. Longer life expectancies also lead to more money spent on healthcare.

If you have not started saving for retirement yet, it’s not too late. Make sure to work with your financial advisor or a trusted financial professional to help you to set out new savings goals so that you can get back on track. With the proper preparation and planning, you can have a comfortable retirement.

This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied upon as professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your financial adviser for specific and detailed advice. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE)


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IC Marais

Professional experience:

IC Marais is a certified CA (SA) with public sector and private sector technical knowledge based on 5 years’ Public Sector accounting, auditing and financial management experience and 5 years audit, tax and accounting experience. Detailed knowledge of private and public sector accounting and auditing standards (GRAP, IPSAS, IFRS, IAS, ISA) and public sector financial legislation (MFMA, etc.)

He enjoys the outdoors, hunting and fishing.

ic@newtons-sa.co.za

SCHALK GOUWS

Professional experience:

In 1995, Schalk started as a trainee at Warner and Newton (which became Moores Rowland in 1997 and then Mazars Moores Rowland in 2007) in Bloemfontein. In 1998, Schalk was appointed as manager at Moores Rowland, where he became a partner in 2003. Schalk received his Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Taxation in 2006 and in 2009 he received his Certificate in the Administration of Estates.

schalk@newtons-sa.co.za

CEDRIC PETERSON

Professional experience:

Cedric started as a trainee at Warner and Newton (which became Moores Rowland in 1997 and Mazars Moores Rowland in 2007), Bloemfontein, in 1986. After completion of his articles, he joined the Special Investigations Division of the Department of Finance (SA Revenue Services) as a senior inspector from 1990 to 1991.

cedric@newtons-sa.co.za

LUCHA GREYLING

Professional experience:

Lucha started her career as a tax inspector at the Inland Revenue Department of New Zealand. After this she worked in commerce in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

On her return to South Africa, she completed her CA training contract with us and has been with Newtons ever since. She became a Partner in 2012.

Apart from her CA(SA) qualification she also holds a postgraduate certificate in Advanced Taxation (2005) and has the overall responsibility for training as our Training Officer.

lucha@newtons-sa.co.za