COFI at the heart of FSCA’s 2026 regulation plan
The Authority’s three-year roadmap also outlines upcoming reforms affecting financial markets, retirement funds, payment services, and cross-sector regulation.
#retirementfunds
Death benefit ruling puts Mutsila judgment into practice
Although the retirement fund misapplied section 37C, the OPFA found the same outcome was equitable after applying the Constitutional Court’s guidance.
Alexforbes’ pivot to independent advisers starts paying off
Strong retail flows, rising adviser numbers, and expanding support capabilities suggest the group’s push to win over IFAs is beginning to deliver measurable results.
Two-pot’s hidden effect: members are staying in retirement funds
While billions have been withdrawn through the two-pot system, Alexforbes says more members are remaining connected to retirement funds long after leaving their employers.
Alexforbes delivers record assets as underlying profit jumps 22%
Despite a decline in headline earnings, Alexforbes delivered strong underlying growth, with record assets, rising retail inflows, and expanding umbrella fund assets.
More early signs that the two-pot system is working
Data from Alexforbes and Sanlam suggests more members are preserving retirement savings, though it is too soon to know whether the shift will last.
COFI will test whether retirement funds are truly member-first
Old Mutual Corporate says the real COFI test is cultural: funds must start with the member outcome and build governance around it.
SCA upholds Adjudicator’s reading of ‘12 months’ in section 37C
The retirement fund was not entitled to pay the benefit into the estate because it only learned of the member’s death more than a year later.
Pension increases under scrutiny as GEPF assures MPs of strong finances
The Select Committee also raised concerns about PIC oversight, unlisted investments, and benefit administration.
Two-pot withdrawal allowed: fund’s arrears rule doesn’t apply to member
The deputy adjudicator finds the ‘freeze’ clause the fund relied on is tied to its DB rules and can’t be used to block a DC member’s savings withdrawal.
Tribunal: liquidation does not bar arrear contributions complaint
The Adjudicator conflated jurisdiction with enforcement and overlooked the potential personal-liability provisions in the PFA.
Fund rules prevail over ‘informal understanding’ in contribution dispute
The Tribunal says membership could end only in accordance with the fund’s rules, and WhatsApp exchanges did not amount to a valid withdrawal.
COFI could redraw the lines of accountability in umbrella funds
COFI’s outcomes-based framework may push governance responsibility beyond trustees and require umbrella funds to prove that members are better off.
Old Mutual sees rise in retirement savings preservation under two-pot system
The system appears to be changing member behaviour at exit from employment, even as most eligible members continue to make withdrawals.
Budget’s retirement threshold changes in effect despite legislative omission
IRFA also sets out how exit withdrawals now work when a member resigns and has already withdrawn from the savings component in the tax year.
Adjudicator slams fund over unresolved death-benefit claim
Nearly nine years after the claim was lodged, the fund still could not confirm whether the benefit had been allocated or paid.
Retirement industry flags operational risks in dual contribution regime
IRFA says the FSCA is engaging with the Department of Employment and Labour on the issue.
