Update: Two-pot System
An update on the latest draft of two-pot system proposals
The two-pot system, to go ahead on 1 March 2024, tries to marry opposing concepts of access and preservation. On the one hand, ensuring that members retire better by preserving their benefits until retirement (not taking it in cash when they leave employment) and annuitising retirement benefits. On the other hand, Treasury recognises that members may need cash while they are still employed and members of the fund.
Treasury has recently issued an updated version of the two pot proposals (9 June 2023). You may hear the pots being referred to as ‘components’ (a technical term). Draft amendments to the Pension Funds Act have also been released by Treasury.
Contributions to the new pots
One-third of contributions:
will go into a savings pot.
Two-third of contributions:
will go into a retirement pot.
Investment return:
will be added to both pots.
Everything saved:
in a fund before 1 March 2024 (plus investment return on this) will go into the member’s vested pot.
Seeding – immediate withdrawals on and after 1 March 2024
An amount of 10% of the vested pot as of 29 February 2024, to a maximum of R25 000, will be allocated to the savings pot from 1 March 2024. This is called “seeding”. This can be paid out of the fund, at the member’s request, as of 1 March 2024. This creates immediate access to an amount from the retirement fund (savings pot) for members. Withdrawing from a member’s savings pot means they will have less money on which to retire.
A member may also decide to move amounts into the retirement pot from their savings pot and vested pot, but not the other way around.
Some of the benefit payments from the different pots
More detail
A specific category of member
Different rules apply to a provident fund member who was 55 or older on 1 March 2021 and is still a member of the same provident fund: these members will contribute to the vested pot and the same rules apply to them as applied before 1 March 2024.
Treasury will allow these older members to opt into the two-pot system and contribute to a savings pot and retirement pot after 1 March 2024. If they do opt-in, it is likely they would then lose all the compulsory annuitisation vesting on their ongoing contributions after 1 March 2024 (so would have to annuitise more of their retirement benefit).
Emigration – a change for pension and provident funds
If a member emigrates from South Africa and ceases to be a tax resident (amongst other circumstances) they will be able to access their retirement pot and vested pot as a lump sum withdrawal subject to the 3-year rule that currently applies only to members of a retirement annuity fund, pension preservation fund or provident preservation fund. It is envisaged that they will be able to access their savings pot during the three years period along the same lines as other members.
Defined benefit funds are in the two-pot system on the basis of pensionable service
Defined benefit funds will calculate the one-third contributions to the savings pot based on one-third of the member’s pensionable service increase. The two-thirds contributions to the retirement pot will be based on two-thirds of the member’s pensionable service increase with effect from 1 March 2024.
Defined benefit funds members will also have an allocation from their vested pot to their savings pot (seeding) as of 1 March 2024, which will be done through a past service adjustment.
Legacy retirement annuity funds can be exempted
The proposed exemption for “legacy retirement annuity fund” policies from the provisions of the two-pot system is going ahead. Treasury recognises that, without the exemption, these funds would have to be re-designed.
To qualify for the exemption, the legacy retirement annuity fund will have to submit a declaration to the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) and must exhibit the following features:
- the legacy retirement annuity fund policy must have been entered into before 1 January 2022;
- pre-universal life policies or conventional policy with or without profits;
- universal life policies with life or lumpsum disability cover; and
- reversionary bonus or universal life policies as envisaged in the insurance legislation.
The FSCA may verify that the legacy retirement annuity funds meet the exemption criteria.
Deductions
Deductions under section 37D of the Pension Funds Act, for example for housing loans, divorce orders, and maintenance orders will need some attention and the Pension Funds Act will be amended. It appears that deductions can only be made from the retirement pot and the vested pot, not the savings pot. The draft legislation still needs refinement in this regard, but the process has started.
Necessary amendments to the Pension Funds Act to align it with the two-pot system have been drafted, In addition, there are a number of other amendments included in the draft legislation. For example, to allow for compensation orders in criminal proceedings granted (in terms of section 300 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977) to be taken into account when benefits are withheld as a result of misconduct at the employer. In addition, the amendment specifies that future maintenance orders will not be deducted and paid over as a lump sum (as is sometimes sought to be ordered) but, for example, as monthly amounts.
Still, a way to go
The two-pot system proposals (as depicted above) are just that – proposals. Thus, they may change before the legislation is finalised. The draft legislation will go through a comment period, public hearings, and Parliament. There will be a great deal to communicate to members, some of which, for example, the taxation aspects, is complex. While we all must wait for the final legislation, the industry is working on what it can do now, in order to be ready on time.
COOKIE POLICY
Welcome to our website.
1. Introduction
This Cookie Policy explains how we use cookies and similar technologies on our website axioconsult.com. This policy is designed to help you understand what cookies are, how we use them, and the choices you have regarding their use.
2. What Are Cookies
Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit certain websites. They are widely used to enhance your online experience by remembering your preferences and actions over time. Cookies are not harmful and do not contain personal information like your name or payment details.
3. How We Use Cookies
We use cookies for various purposes, including:
- Essential Cookies: These cookies are necessary for the basic functioning of our website. They enable you to navigate our site, use its features, and access secure areas.
- Analytical/Performance Cookies: These cookies help us understand how visitors use our website. They provide information about which pages are visited most frequently, how long visitors stay on each page, and whether they encounter any error messages. This data helps us improve the performance and usability of our website.
- Functionality Cookies: These cookies allow our website to remember choices you make (such as your username, language, or region) and provide enhanced, personalised features.
- Targeting/Advertising Cookies: These cookies are used to deliver advertisements that are relevant to your interests. They may also limit the number of times you see an ad and help measure the effectiveness of ad campaigns.
4. Your Cookie Choices
You have the option to manage your cookie preferences. You can usually modify your browser settings to accept, reject, or delete cookies. Please note that if you choose to block or delete cookies, some features of our website may not function properly.
5. Third-Party Cookies
We may allow third-party service providers to use cookies on our website for the purposes outlined in Section 3. These providers may also collect information about your online activities over time and across different websites.
6. Updates to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, law, or our data practices. Any changes will become effective when we post the revised policy on our website.
7. Contact Us
If you have any questions about our Cookie Policy or how we use cookies on our website, please contact us at
By continuing to use our website, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this Cookie Policy.