IRFAfrica

18/06/2026

🌍 A New World needs a New Stage. Join us as we step into the future!

The IRFA Conference 2026 is proud to welcome Ronak Gopaldas as this year's Keynote Speaker! 🎙️

Ronak is a renowned political economist whose expertise sits at the intersection of geopolitics, economics, and business in Africa. As the retirement landscape is being reshaped by global uncertainty and shifting power dynamics, his insights will help us navigate these complex changes with practical, actionable strategies.

Join us for an unmissable opening perspective from one of Africa's leading voices on political and economic strategy.

📅 When: 6–8 September 2026
📍 Where: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC)
🔗 Register Here: https://irf-conference.co.za/registration/

10/06/2026

📢 IRFA 2026 Board Elections are officially open! 📢

We are calling on our members to nominate candidates for three upcoming Board vacancies. The elected Directors will take office after our AGM on 27 August 2026.

Standard online nominations close on 17 June 2026 at 17:00. We urge you not to wait until the final day!

To understand the full process - including how to use the ElectionWorx platform and the timeline for the July voting window - please watch our detailed briefing video here: https://youtu.be/AoTKbpKliYQ

If you need any assistance, our office is ready to help at 011 450 1670 or [email protected].

Disclaimer: IRFA board elections are only open for IRFA members.

04/06/2026

Big congratulations to our IRFA President, Geraldine Fowler! 🌟👏 We are incredibly proud to see her representing the Institute of Retirement Funds Africa as a featured speaker at the 7th Annual Africa Pension Funds and Retirement Summit 2026 in beautiful Mauritius! 🇲🇺🌍

Geraldine took to the stage to discuss the exciting growth of pension funds across Africa and how we can build stronger, more resilient retirement systems. She shared her vision on how robust governance, strategic institutional investments, and modern technology can come together to secure long-term financial sustainability for retirees across the continent.

At IRFA, we believe that we are truly Better Together. Geraldine's dedication and leadership on the international stage inspire us all as we continue working toward a socially secure future for everyone. 💚

Join us in celebrating Geraldine's contribution to the retirement sector! Leave your congratulations in the comments below! 👇
🎥 Watch her insightful interview here: https://lnkd.in/dr_zZRgS
📰 Read the event highlights on Platform Africa: https://platformafrica.com/2026/05/25/geraldine-fowler-highlights-the-growth-of-pension-funds-across-africa-at-the-7th-annual-africa-pension-funds-and-retirement-summit-2026/

26/05/2026

🏆 IRFA Executive Officer Wayne Hiller van Rensburg Receives Prestigious International Award!

The Institute of Retirement Funds Africa (IRFA) is proud to announce that our Executive Officer, Wayne Hiller van Rensburg, has been awarded the 2026 Tony Thurnham Award by the International Pension & Employee Benefits Lawyers Association (IPEBLA)!This highly distinguished global honour recognizes Wayne's article, "Beyond the Formal Sector: A Structured Framework for Inclusionary Pensions in South Africa" (published in the International Pension Lawyer Vol. 99) as the best contribution to the journal over the last two years

- Why this research is a gamechanger:
📍 Over 5.7 million South Africans (1 in 3 employed) work in the informal or gig economy without access to formal retirement savings
📍 Wayne's framework outlines practical legal pathways, including micro pensions and flexible contribution mechanisms, to extend retirement coverage to these workers

- A word from Wayne: "This recognition affirms that the legal and policy community is ready to engage seriously with inclusionary pension design - not as an aspiration, but as a practical imperative."

The award was formally presented at the IPEBLA 20th Biennial Conference in Dublin, Ireland, from 17 to 20 May 2026

Let us all congratulate Wayne on this outstanding achievement that puts African pension research on the global stage! 👏

19/05/2026

Important update for the retirement industry!

Our IRFA webinar unpacked a critical development: the Budget's retirement threshold changes are already in effect from 1 March 2026 - even though they were omitted from the final legislation.

IRFA's Legal and Technical Committee Chairperson, Nancy Andrews, confirmed that both National Treasury and SARS have given the green light. Key changes include:
✅ Contribution deduction cap: R350 000 → R430 000
✅ Annuitisation threshold: R247 500 → R360 000
✅ Living annuity commutation: R125 000 → R150 000

The webinar also covered significant two-pot system amendments affecting member withdrawals on resignation and preservation fund members.

Read the full article here: https://www.moonstone.co.za/budgets-retirement-threshold-changes-in-effect-despite-legislative-omission/

Budget’s retirement threshold changes in effect despite legislative omission Posted on 14 May 2026 by Moonstone Information Refinery — Leave a comment Changes to the retirement contribution and commutation thresholds announced in this year’s Budget are effective despite not appearing in the fi...

12/05/2026

Did you miss our recent IRFA Legal & Technical webinar?

Moonstone Information Refinery has published a great summary of the key discussions!

Nancy Andrews, our L&T Committee Chairperson, unpacked the significant operational risks created by the recent withdrawal of the BCEA exemption. Retirement funds and employers are now caught between two conflicting contribution-payment rules: the Pension Funds Act (month-end plus seven days) and the BCEA (seven days after deduction).

This overlap creates major systems challenges, especially for funds with weekly-paid members, and raises the risk of parallel enforcement actions.

Read the full article here to understand the impact and what IRFA is doing to engage regulators: https://www.moonstone.co.za/retirement-industry-flags-operational-risks-in-dual-contribution-regime/

Missed the webinar or would like to revisit the key insights? Please note that the recording and presentation will be shared exclusively with IRFA members. We look forward to seeing you at our next session!

Is the dual contribution regime causing administrative headaches for your payroll or fund administration team? Let us know below! 👇

Retirement industry flags operational risks in dual contribution regime Posted on 11 May 2026 by Moonstone Information Refinery — Leave a comment Retirement funds and employers are awaiting regulatory clarity after the withdrawal of a long-standing exemption has created overlapping contribution-pa...

01/05/2026

Happy Workers' Day, South Africa! 🇿🇦 Today we honour the hard work that builds our nation. At IRFA, our mission is to ensure that hard work translates into a secure retirement. Join us at the IRFA Conference 2026 to discuss how we can better protect our workforce's future.

What is the most important benefit a retirement fund can offer workers today? Let us know! 👇



Register here: https://irf-conference.co.za/registration/

27/04/2026

Happy Freedom Day from the Institute of Retirement Funds Africa (IRFA)! 🇿🇦

Today, as we commemorate South Africa's journey to democracy and the freedoms we hold dear, we also reflect on the importance of financial freedom and security for all.

At IRFA, our mission is to empower all retirement ecosystem stakeholders to achieve effective and efficient retirement outcomes. True freedom includes the peace of mind that comes with a secure and sustainable future. We remain committed to representing the retirement industry, advocating for sound governance, and ensuring a sustainable social legacy for generations to come.

Let us continue to work together to build a future where financial well-being is a reality for every South African.

Wishing you a meaningful and inspiring Freedom Day!

02/04/2026