EFBC NEWSLETTERS
Please read our latest newsletters.
2025: A year of shifting trends and policy disruptions
Recent weeks have seen significant developments in the global economy and financial markets. These developments are intensified by possible significant geopolitical and policy shifts, including Donald Trump’s second term as the President of the United States (US). With a history of protectionist policies, this scenario could significantly influence global trade patterns and market dynamics.
Lessons from 2024: A tale of two economies
As 2024 draws to a close, the global economy has delivered its fair share of surprises, challenges, and lessons. Among them, the unprecedented yield inversion between China and Japan’s 30-year government bonds stands out as a defining moment.
Two-pot Retirement System For Public Comment
The world of investing thrives on making informed decisions, navigating risk, and aiming for profitable outcomes. In this bustling market, valuation acts as a compass, guiding investors towards potentially undervalued gems or warning against overinflated bubbles. But is valuation truly essential?
Exploring Wills In South Africa
Will outlines the distribution of your assets and estate upon your passing. Creating a Will not only ensures that your wishes are carried out but also offers peace of mind to both you and your loved ones. In this article, we explore Wills and the crucial elements that you need to include in your Will. We discuss the legal requirements, steps to drafting your Will, taxes and fees applicable to deceased estates, and the importance of seeking professional advice. We conclude the article by asking: What happens if you die without a valid Will?
Mortality Rates In South Africa
With National Suicide Prevention Month starting on 1 September 2023, we delved into the current statistics available to us surrounding unnatural causes of death, of which suicide is a part.
It is important to note that the author of this article understands that labelling suicide and road accidents as ‘self-inflicted’ could be seen as insensitive given that the circumstances surrounding the cause of a suicide or a road accident are unknown The context in which the terms are used is solely from the perspective of mortality statistics.
Two-pot Retirement System For Public Comment
The revised 2023 Draft Revenue Laws Amendment Bill and 2023 Draft Revenue Administration and Pension Laws Amendment Bill were published for public comment by the National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) on 9 June 2023.
Two-Pot System Latest Developments
In an unexpected development on Wednesday, 25 October 2023, the National Treasury (NT) and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) made several proposals to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance (Committee). If these proposals are accepted by Parliament, they will result in changes to the
implementation process of the two-pot system when compared with the final draft of the Taxation Laws Amendment Bill.
20 Years On… And The Efficient Group Is Still Standing Strong
Efficiency can be defined as the ability to achieve an end goal with little to no waste, effort, or energy. While efficiency is a key part of the Efficient Group’s inherent philosophy and the way that it goes about its business (the name says it all), this definition does not encapsulate the essence of the Group’s 20-year journey. Indeed, it has been an all-out effort from day one. Without endless energy, passion, and enthusiasm, there would be no Efficient Group today.
Too much global exposure can hurt your retirement
Until the early 2010s, South African investors had a strong bias towards investing in local markets. Offshore markets were generally perceived to be too far away and too inaccessible to consider. Data about performance and alternative investments was also not readily available until about a decade ago. In recent years, the tables seemed to have turned. Now, local investors want as much offshore exposure as possible.
Holistic financial advice The key to wealth, health and happiness
Holistic financial advice considers you as a whole, looking at your wealth, health, and happiness. It also factors in how those individuals fit into their networks of families and friends. Remember, we are connected to, and even depend on, other people, who in turn have similar bonds with us. If a financial advisor excludes any of these aspects from a holistic financial plan, the results will be sub-optimal and possibly completely unsuccessful.
Take Control Of Your Finances In 2023 With Efficient Wealth
At the start of a new year, many of us think about our finances. “How will I take control of my financial future?” “Does my financial situation allow me to reward myself every so often?” “How do I reward myself wisely – in a responsible way that won’t set me back in 2023?” If this is you, you’re asking all then right questions.
Financial fitness with Efficient Wealth #2023goals
As the year enters its second month, let one of your new year’s resolutions this 2023 be to become financially fit with our expert financial instructors at Efficient Wealth.
How to reward yourself wisely with Efficient Wealth
As you approach the finish line of another demanding year, it’s quite normal to think to yourself: “I’ve worked hard, I deserve a reward.” It could be that you have achieved some of your goals and are indeed reward worthy. Or, perhaps simply getting through this gruelling year is an achievement in itself? Point is, you’re only human. And while it’s human nature to want to treat yourself to something nice, it’s also that time of the year when human error creeps into our decision-making process.
Retirement fund changes that could be on the way in 2024
Draft legislation around retirement funds was released by the National Treasury for public comment on 29 July 2022 and the National Treasury’s draft response presented to Parliament on 20 September 2022 highlighted some changes. In a nutshell, if you are a retirement fund member when the proposed legislation changes are implemented, you will have a ‘two-pot system’ when it comes to your retirement savings.
Market Overview
It was a tough start to the year in January, for offshore markets in particular. Rising geopolitical tensions between the United States (US) and Russia, a more hawkish Federal Reserve (Fed), continued inflationary pressures, and a pric e drop of more than 20% in a single day for Netflix and Meta (the parent company of Facebook) all contributed to a rollercoaster ride in the
markets that, for the most part, ended in signif icant losses.
November Market Overview
November was another good month for local equities. It was also positive for most other local asset classes, as the market moved in contrast to its global counterparts amidst the increasing rate of COVID-19 infections and the discovery of the Omicron variant by South African scientists.
Private fund vs Umbrella fund
As consultants, we are often asked whether it is better to be in a private fund or an umbrella fund. At first glance, this is a complex question to answer, as it depends on an in-depth analysis to determine what is best for a company and its employees.
The importance of a valid and up-to-date Nomination of Beneficiaries form
Life events, such as untimely death, occur as part of our normal lives and we seldom have any or very little control to prevent such life events.