Second-highest quarterly CIS inflows on record in Q3
For the first time since 2020, a meaningful share of the quarterly inflows came from new capital rather than reinvested income.
ASISA
Affordability pressures to drive innovation as insurance gap hits R50 trillion
The Insurance Gap Study finds SA’s life and disability shortfall has swelled to R50.4 trillion, with the average earner holding only 39% of the cover their dependants would need.
Huge shortfall in critical illness protection leaves most income earners exposed
ASISA’s research shows formally employed South Africans face a major liquidity risk: R4 trillion in earnings versus only R1.1 trillion in critical illness cover.
Treasury urged to retain tax relief for manager-initiated unit trust transactions
ASISA says further consultation is needed to avoid negative consequences for investors and the collective investment schemes market.
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.
ASISA report: ownership gains, management equity lags, new targets raise pressure
The misalignment between the FSC benchmarks and stricter government employment equity targets is set to increase the transformation pressure on life offices and asset managers.
Average living annuity drawdown rate drops below 6% for the first time since 2011
Strong market returns and rising balances have prompted many retirees to reduce withdrawals – a trend ASISA encourages annuitants to maintain.
Life insurers pay out R39.5bn, with 95.6% of death claims honoured
Policies subject to underwriting had the highest payout rates in 2024, reflecting lower fraud and non-disclosure and the value of comprehensive risk assessment.
CIS industry tops R4 trillion as investors ride JSE rally
Only R23bn of the R146.13bn in annual net inflows was fresh capital, yet reinvested dividends and interest helped push AUM to R4.16 trillion.
Increase in cases of fraud and dishonesty detected by ASISA members
There was a significant decrease in actual losses involving fraudulent and dishonest life insurance claims compared with 2023.
Collective investment schemes post strongest quarterly inflows in years
Despite a turbulent first quarter marked by political discord and trade-tariff shocks, CIS managers attracted R48bn in net inflows – the highest quarterly figure since 2020.
Financial institutions urged to prioritise cyber resilience as Joint Standard takes effect
With Joint Standard 2 on cybersecurity coming into force on 1 June, the Prudential Authority emphasises the need for financial institutions to bolster resilience, share intelligence, and prepare for inevitable cyberattacks.
Life insurers pay a record R639 billion in 2024
Sales of recurring-premium savings policies continued to improve, while lapses of risk policies declined.
Retail hedge funds surge as industry hits record growth
A decade after the introduction of hedge fund regulations, retail investors are driving strong growth, with RHFs attracting R11.84 billion in net inflows in 2024.
ASISA rejects proposed ‘dualistic nature’ of CIS portfolios
ASISA warns that reclassifying collective investment scheme portfolios as profit-making schemes will undermine years of established investment policy.
Record R35.25bn outflow marks cautious year for South Africa’s CIS market
Reinvested income and strong interest-bearing portfolio performance led to net inflows of R85.82 billion in 2024.
Revised unit trust fund classifications: early impact in focus
The new SA Multi Asset SA High Equity category is expected to gain traction over time, despite slower uptake in the early stages.
