Gambling surge strains retirement savings and prompts tax response
Old Mutual findings and industry commentary show gambling is reshaping spending, eroding savings, and drawing policy attention, with implications for employers and advisers.
Sanlam
Sanlam’s business engines: a look at the group’s 2025 performance
A breakdown of the results shows how the group’s main business clusters performed as it continues repositioning for growth across South Africa, Africa, and India.
Sanlam share dips after results despite strong operating growth
Sanlam reported record new business volumes and strong client inflows in 2025, but several weaker headline indicators drew investor attention following the results release.
Why Sanlam’s headline earnings fell despite strong business growth
Currency movements, bond market distortions, reinsurance losses, and strategic investment spending combined to weigh on Sanlam’s reported results.
Life cover nominations still valid despite administrative slip
A signed nomination received during the policyholder’s lifetime satisfied the contractual requirements despite an incorrect policy number.
Sanlam launches prepaid funeral cover for irregular-income earners
Clients can pay upfront for three, six, or twelve months of cover, offering an alternative to monthly debit-order policies.
Bonitas commits to co-operating with CMS investigation
After concluding its section 43 inquiry into Bonitas, the CMS has determined that the allegations merit a further forensic investigation.
Advice is evolving from transactions to trusted relationships
The industry is moving beyond sales models towards relationship-led, purpose-driven engagement built on trust, transparency, and technology.
Sanlam’s AI Coach expands into healthcare
Sanlam Studios’ upgraded AI Coach now offers guidance on medical aid, primary care and gap cover.
Sanlam’s new business up 7% as insurance and inflows offset flat life sales
The net result from financial services grew by 20% to about R8.08bn, with general insurance the standout in the six months to the end of June.
Competition Commission backs Fedhealth–Medshield merger
Fedhealth’s acquisition of Medshield comes after Sanlam named Fedhealth its exclusive open medical scheme partner.
Competition Tribunal clears TymeBank–Sanlam loan book deal
TymeBank and Sanlam will form SanlamTyme JVCo, combining digital banking muscle with lending expertise in a R5bn unsecured loan book partnership.
Sanlam flags rise in cancer-related claims, particularly for younger policyholders
Breast cancer claims increased by 33%, and prostate cancer claims soared by 41%, the insurer’s data for 2024 shows.
Sanlam’s new business volumes increase in the first quarter of 2025
The group is keeping its discretionary capital well above target amid concerns over potential tariff-driven inflation, supply-chain shocks, and credit defaults.
Groceries, gadgets and gaps: where two-pot savings are really going
Sanlam reports that most withdrawals came from financially strained members in mid-life, with little evidence that funds were used to reduce debt. Instead, spending patterns suggest pressure to cover everyday expenses.
Retirement pot withdrawals could undermine long-term savings
Danie van Zyl of Sanlam Corporate Investments warns that allowing access to retirement components in retrenchment cases might jeopardise long-term savings and place added pressure on trustees.
Sanlam fires on all cylinders, delivering strong earnings and new business
The group recorded double-digit earnings, robust new business volumes, and an increased dividend, all underpinned by its tri-regional focus.
