LISTEN | Make smarter financial decisions with this two-pot retirement calculator

How much will your savings pot be worth when the new retirement fund rules kick in? And what are the tax implications of withdrawing from it? Old Mutual’s innovative financial planning tool provides answers

30 August 2024 - 09:19
By
It's important to think carefully before tapping into your savings pot because doing so can have long-term implications for your overall retirement savings.
Image: 123RF/preedee400l It's important to think carefully before tapping into your savings pot because doing so can have long-term implications for your overall retirement savings.

The new two-pot retirement system is designed to keep South Africans' retirement nest eggs safe while still providing a solution for those who struggle financially due to a lack of “rainy day” funds.

Need help navigating the two-pot system?

Don’t stress: Old Mutual has got you covered: click here to access an array of useful articles, videos and podcasts that explain the new retirement rules and how they affect you.

From September 1, when this new system kicks in, your retirement contributions will be divided into two pots:

  1. Two-thirds will go into a “retirement pot”, where the funds will grow untouched for use in your golden years.

  2. The remaining one third will fill your “saving pot”, ensuring you have some breathing room should you need to access some of this money for emergencies.

While you'll be able to make a yearly withdrawal from your savings pot, doing so has long-term implications which may cause you to miss your retirement goals. One reason for this is that withdrawals have a tax impact, on both the withdrawn amount and the remaining funds. 

To help you make an informed decision before tapping into your savings pot, Old Mutual has developed an innovative two-pot retirement calculator. This handy financial planning tool allows you to discover the estimated value of your savings pot and, importantly, understand the tax implications of making a withdrawal from it.

There are two versions of this calculator, one specifically for Old Mutual customers, which is accessible via WhatsApp (0860-933-333), and one that anyone can access via the Old Mutual website.

In this podcast, Old Mutual's Qa’id Wingrove explains the difference between the two calculators and how to make the most of them. Listen to it now:

This article was sponsored by Old Mutual.