LAURA DU PREEZ: What to ask when choosing an RA
Choice of retirement annuity products is wide and confusing
February is a good time to re-assess the tax savings you can achieve from contributing to a retirement fund. You may want to check whether you can save by topping up your retirement savings before the tax year ends on February 28, or after this week's budget you might want to check what you should contribute for the new tax year starting on March 1. If you decide to contribute more to your retirement fund, and you are employed, you should begin by finding out whether you can contribute to your employer-sponsored fund as sometimes the fees are lower than on a fund you can access as an individual through a financial institution. However, if you complement your employer-sponsored retirement savings or you are forced to save into a retirement annuity (RA) because you are self-employed, the choice of products is wide and confusing. Asking the right questions can help narrow the field. Is it a policy with terms and penalties? Is the RA "wrapped" as a life assurance policy with contractual...
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