Life insurance sector consolidates its recovery in 2024
KPMG’s survey shows broad improvement across major life insurers, driven by moderate premium growth, stronger investment returns, and efficiency gains.
Author: Moonstone Information Refinery
SARB sanctions money transfer service for FICA non-compliance
The South African Reserve Bank cites deficiencies in Access Forex’s RMCP, customer verification, and staff training.
ASSA launches national Climate Index to guide risk management
South Africa now has a publicly available Climate Index, developed by actuaries and meteorologists, that tracks extreme weather events.
SA’s pension system holds firm on governance, falters on inclusion
The latest Mercer Global Pension Index says governments worldwide are attempting to steer private retirement fund assets into development goals.
SARB seizes vehicles and personal effects from Markus Jooste’s estate
The South African Reserve Bank declares five vehicles, jewellery, and art from the estate forfeit under the Exchange Control Regulations.
SCOPA presses former RAF CEO for firm commitment to appear before inquiry
SCOPA has issued a final call for former Road Accident Fund CEO Collins Letsoalo to confirm his attendance at its oversight inquiry, warning that a subpoena may follow if he fails to commit.
SCA: Bank’s settlement agreements circumvented the NCA’s protections
The Supreme Court confirms that any post-default restructuring of NCA-regulated loans must comply strictly with the Act.
Court finds Minister of Police liable for farm attack losses
The High Court has ruled the state liable for over R2 million after police ignored warnings and failed to protect a game farmer’s property and wildlife.
Year-end surge in FSCA warnings: watch out for unauthorised financial offers
The FSCA warns that fraudsters are ramping up, impersonating licensed providers, soliciting unrealistic returns, and even posing as the regulator itself.
R1bn RAF media spend under scrutiny as SCOPA flags irregularities
SCOPA’s inquiry uncovers questionable procurement decisions, unexplained overspending, and gaps in oversight that demand a forensic review.
Slight increase in life insurance policies in first half of 2025
Recurring-premium risk policies grew modestly, while the number of endowment policies and retirement annuities declined, ASISA statistics show.
MBSE launches tailored CPD packages for F&I professionals
MBSE combines conduct and regulatory modules with customer-service training – and offers discounts up to 30% for bundled purchases.
Health department, Treasury discussing changes to medical tax credit
Policymakers are planning a systematic phasing-out of the rebate as the NHI Fund takes over payment for benefits financed through medical schemes.
Waiting periods – how they affect medical scheme benefits
This edition of Cover to Cover explains waiting periods, helping advisers guide clients on when benefits start and strategies to avoid gaps in cover.
Tribunal proposes no change to levy in 2026/27
Although the percentage will remain the same, supervised firms will pay more to the Tribunal because of the FSCA and PA levy increases.
No easy answers when valuing living annuities at divorce
Courts and practitioners face contested valuation methods – from present-value drawdowns to post-death capital – with tax and drawdown assumptions driving outcomes.
Optimum Investment Group takes 40% stake in Obsidian Capital
The deal aims to enhance efficiency, broaden product capability, and deliver greater value for clients.
