Tag: life insurance

When it comes to life insurance, naming your minor child as a beneficiary may seem like the most natural decision. But this well-intentioned move can lead to unintended consequences and even financial risk. Most parents assume that naming their child as a beneficiary guarantees protection of their life assurance benefits. But legally, minors cannot receive policy payouts directly. That’s where things get complicated.

Capitec, South Africa’s largest digital bank, announced another six months of strong growth. Headline earnings rose 26% to R8 billion in the period from March 2025 to August 2025.

Every year during National Wills Week, thousands of South Africans take advantage of the opportunity to have a basic will drafted for free. Yet many still put it off, assuming they will “get to it one day”. The truth is clear. Dying without a will can leave your loved ones facing unnecessary stress, delays and financial hardship if something happens to you.

After a little more than a year into my role as Chief Marketing Officer, I have started to think very differently about death and the business of death. Coming from an FMCG environment, I found the transition to the services sector, specifically funeral and life insurance, significant. However, I also discovered that there are similarities between the two sectors.

For many South African farmers, a farm is more than an asset – it is a family legacy, a business and often the entirety of their net worth. However, when it comes to estate planning, one critical factor is often overlooked: liquidity. Without adequate liquid assets, heirs may encounter financial strain and operational challenges. In some cases, they may even be forced to sell the family farm to meet estate commitments.

It is that time of year again when you are swapping out your summer wardrobes for your festive season attire. You are having a long-overdue de-clutter and booking annual check-ups for the family. While you are at it, take the opportunity for your annual personal estate review to re-evaluate your estate documents and give the administrative side of your life a thorough spring-clean too!

Policyholders and insurers alike should take note of a judgement recently handed down in the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, Johannesburg. The case concerned a claim for specific performance in terms of a life insurance policy. The policyholder lodged a claim with his insurer through its authorised agent on or about 27 September 2017.

The economic landscape continues to present formidable obstacles for South Africans. With the prices of essential goods surging and wage growth stagnating, disposable income has dwindled forcing consumers to cut back on spending to focus on essential items.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD), encompassing heart disease and stroke, has been a major cause of death globally for a long time. It has affected individuals and their families and had far-reaching consequences for industries that provide financial security, such as life insurance.

Mauritius has increasingly become a sought-after destination for African asset managers and international investors. This is primarily due to its diverse range of options and familiarity as a jurisdiction of choice for fund structures and investment vehicles, particularly those which permit the segregation of assets and liabilities, such as protected cell companies (PCCs) and variable capital companies (VCCs).