The best way to take advantage of volatile markets is with a recurring contribution product, because with lower average unit prices over a period of time when the market is down, you will be able to buy more units compared to when the market is up. This is referred to as rand-cost averaging. Keep making recurring payments to benefit from rand cost averaging to really get ahead when things improve again.

Please consult with a financial planner before you take any action regarding your savings and investments

It’s important not to make hasty decisions based on fear. Switching to a lower risk portfolio can lead to ‘locking in losses’. Remember, cashing in at a low point makes a paper loss a real loss. Whatever is happening in the markets, you need an investment strategy that’s aligned with your goals, your appetite for risk, and how long you have until you hope to retire. These are all personal and unique to you. The best way to plan for this, review this and to deal with uncertainty is through proper financial planning, together with patience and persistence with your investment strategy.

Making emotional decisions, based on short-term market fluctuations, may result in more harm than good and destroy the long-term value to your savings.

Remember: saving for retirement is a long-term strategy requiring patience and persistence. The old saying ‘It’s not about timing the market, but about time in the market’ remains true.

Please consult with a financial planner before you take any action regarding your savings and investments

If you’re invested in market-linked portfolios

Over the short term, you’ll probably experience negative returns. But don’t panic: history shows that markets recover over the medium to long term. History has also taught us that, in time, there will be recovery in the financial markets. Try to be patient; it’ll pay off.

If you’re invested in retirement funds

Retirement fund portfolios are spread across various asset classes, such as bonds, property, cash and international assets, to reduce underlying risk. Your retirement savings are also protected (but not guaranteed) by the limitations of exposure to asset classes enforced by Regulation 28 of the Pension Funds Act. This helps by diversifying your portfolio. The most important Regulation 28 asset class limits are as follows:

• Equity 75%
• Listed property 25%
• Offshore assets 30%*
• Hedge funds 10%

If you’re invested in a lifetime investment option, your money is gradually moved from high-risk portfolios to lower-risk portfolios six years before your normal retirement date. Lower-risk portfolios have less equity exposure, which reduces the impact of the falling markets.

Please consult with a financial planner before you take any action regarding your savings and investments

It’s important not to make hasty decisions based on fear. Switching to a lower risk portfolio can lead to ‘locking in losses’. Remember, cashing in at a low point makes a paper loss a real loss.

If you have a retirement savings plan and you are invested in a lifetime investment option, your money is moved from high-risk portfolios to lower-risk portfolios six years before your normal retirement date. Lower-risk portfolios have less equity exposure, which reduces the impact of the falling markets. The lifetime investment option is constructed using reliable investment principles, based on a long-term investment approach.

Whatever is happening in the markets, you need an investment strategy that’s aligned with your goals, your appetite for risk, and how long you have until you hope to retire. These are all personal and unique to you. The best way to plan for this, review this and to deal with uncertainty is through proper financial planning, together with patience and persistence with your investment strategy.

Making emotional decisions, based on short-term market fluctuations, may result in more harm than good and destroy the long-term value to your savings.

Please consult with a financial adviser before you take any action regarding your savings and investments.

It’s important not to make hasty decisions based on fear. Switching to a lower risk portfolio can lead to ‘locking in losses’. Remember, cashing in at a low point makes a paper loss a real loss.

If you have a retirement savings plan and you are invested in a lifetime investment option, your money is moved from high-risk portfolios to lower-risk portfolios six years before your normal retirement date. Lower-risk portfolios have less equity exposure, which reduces the impact of the falling markets. The lifetime investment option is constructed using reliable investment principles, based on a long-term investment approach.

Whatever is happening in the markets, you need an investment strategy that’s aligned with your goals, your appetite for risk, and how long you have until you hope to retire. These are all personal and unique to you. The best way to plan for this, review this and to deal with uncertainty is through proper financial planning, together with patience and persistence with your investment strategy.

Making emotional decisions, based on short-term market fluctuations, may result in more harm than good and destroy the long-term value to your savings.

Please consult with a financial adviser before you take any action regarding your savings and investments.

After being impacted by global turmoil previously, the markets have always recovered and will do so again – it may just take some time. It’s now more important than ever that you remain level-headed and stay the course on your savings and investment journeys. Making changes to your investment strategy at this stage could result in you not benefiting from investment returns when the market turns upwards again. Don’t spoil your years of hard saving and planning with short-term, emotion-led decisions.

That said, if your goals or needs have changed, it’s good to review your savings and investment plan with your financial planner – something you should ideally do regularly, or as your needs change, in any case.

Please consult with a financial planner before you take any action regarding your savings and investments

It’s important not to make hasty decisions based on fear. Switching to a lower risk portfolio can lead to ‘locking in losses’. Remember, cashing in at a low point makes a paper loss a real loss.

Making emotional decisions, based on short-term market fluctuations, may result in more harm than good and destroy the long-term value to your savings. The old saying ‘It’s not about timing the market, but about time in the market’ remains true.

Please consult with a financial planner before you take any action regarding your savings and investments

If you’re invested in market-linked portfolios

Over the short term, you’ll probably experience negative returns. But don’t panic: history shows that markets recover over the medium to long term. History has also taught us that, in time, there will be recovery in the financial markets.

If you’re invested in retirement funds

Retirement fund portfolios are spread across various asset classes, such as bonds, property, cash and international assets, to reduce underlying risk. Your retirement savings are also protected (but not guaranteed) by the limitations of exposure to asset classes enforced by Regulation 28 of the Pension Funds Act. This helps by diversifying your portfolio. The most important Regulation 28 asset class limits are as follows:

• Equity 75%
• Listed property 25%
• Offshore assets 30%*
• Hedge funds 10%

*As prescribed by the South African Reserve Bank.
If you’re invested in a lifetime investment option, your monies are gradually moved from high-risk portfolios to lower-risk portfolios as from six years before your normal retirement date. Lower-risk portfolios have less equity exposure, which reduces the impact of the falling markets.

Please consult with a financial planner before you take any action regarding your savings and investments

If you can afford to keep up your monthly contributions after suffering a loss of income, do. If you’re able to, the best way to take advantage of volatile markets is with a recurring contribution product, because with lower average unit prices over a period of time when the market is down, you will be able to buy more units compared to when the market is up. This is referred to as rand-cost averaging. Keep making recurring payments to benefit from rand cost averaging to really get ahead when things improve again.

If you do pause your contributions, you may need to save more in the future to catch up with the retirement savings needed to provide for the income you need in retirement.

Please consult with a financial planner before you take any action regarding your savings and investments

Some of our plans offer a payment holiday or bridging period on qualifying savings plans if you’re experiencing a temporary lack of income; we want to help you retain your plans where possible. Please speak to a financial planner about this option. It’ll be important to set a follow-up date with your financial planner to discuss your evolving financial situations and how to best get your back on track towards your financial plans.

It’s good to remember that your financial plan and policies are there to achieve certain goals, and to protect you or your dependents when unexpected things happen. These considerations remain important, even in challenging economic times. Keep talking to your financial planner, as they’re best placed to help advise on how decisions you make now will impact your overall financial strategy and future.

Another thing worth noting: cancelling risk policies now may cost you more in the long run, as some plans (like life cover, for example) can be more expensive to take out again in the future, when you’re older. Talk your financial planner before cancelling, to see how best to move forwards.

Please consult with a financial planner before you take any action regarding your savings and investments

If you’re invested in market-linked portfolios

Over the short term, you’ll probably experience negative returns. But don’t panic: history shows that markets recover over the medium to long term. History has also taught us that, in time, there will be recovery in the financial markets. Try to be patient; it’ll pay off.

If you’re invested in retirement funds

Retirement fund portfolios are spread across various asset classes, such as bonds, property, cash and international assets, to reduce underlying risk. Your retirement savings are also protected (but not guaranteed) by the limitations of exposure to asset classes enforced by Regulation 28 of the Pension Funds Act. This helps by diversifying your portfolio. The most important Regulation 28 asset class limits are as follows:

• Equity 75%
• Listed property 25%
• Offshore assets 30%*
• Hedge funds 10%

*As prescribed by the South African Reserve Bank.
If you’re invested in a lifetime investment option, your monies are gradually moved from high-risk portfolios to lower-risk portfolios as from six years before your normal retirement date. Lower-risk portfolios have less equity exposure, which reduces the impact of the falling markets.

If you’re invested in a lifetime investment option, your money is gradually moved from high-risk portfolios to lower-risk portfolios six years before your normal retirement date. Lower-risk portfolios have less equity exposure, which reduces the impact of the falling markets.

Please consult with a financial planner before you take any action regarding your savings and investments