​​Glacier Preservation Funds

Preserve and potentially grow your retirement savings with our flexible preservation funds.

Get access to a wide range of well-researched and well-known underlying investment options.

Minimum contribution

R100 000 lump sum
R15 000 per additional contribution

How long to invest for

You must remain invested until you are at least 55 years old.

Freedom to move your money

You can move your preserved retirement savings to another preservation fund, retirement annuity or employer’s fund without any penalties.

Freedom to change your choice

You have total freedom to change your underlying investments. There is no charge to make a change, but depending on where you move your money to, initial investment charges may apply.

Your investment choices

Access to the widest choice of investments:

  • a range of risk-profiled investment funds
  • local or offshore funds
  • actively managed or passive index-tracking funds
  • single manager or multi-manager funds
  • individual shares, exchange traded funds (ETFs) and other instruments via our stockbroking service

Benefits

  • Preserve and grow your retirement savings when you leave your employer
  • If you are in a process of insolvency, your preservation fund investment is protected from creditors – they won’t be able to take from your savings

How it works

  • You make a lump sum transfer from your existing provident or pension fund
  • We invest the money in the underlying investments that you choose in collaboration with your financial planner
  • Your money can grow over time based on your underlying investments
  • You are allowed to make one withdrawal before retirement

When you retire

When you retire you can take up to one third of your savings in cash. The balance must then be reinvested in an annuity to give you a monthly income. If the value of your retirement savings is less than R247 500, you will be able to take the full amount in cash.

If you saved in a provident fund or preservation provident fund, you may be able to take more than one third of your savings in cash. The treatment of your retirement benefits is based on whether the benefits have vested rights attached to them or not. Read here for more information in that regard.

When you die

Trustees will take into account your wishes and all your dependants’ needs when you die to decide who receives this benefit.

Early retirement

If you are permanently disabled before you retire, your benefit is paid out to you in the same way as if you had reached retirement (aged 55).

Access to money

  • Before retirement:
    You can use the once-off withdrawal option to access your money before retirement. If you have made a withdrawal already, you have to wait until retirement to access your money
  • At retirement:
    • From a Preservation Pension Fund: You may take up to a third of your money out, but you must transfer the rest to an income-generating product in South Africa (such asour Investment-linked Living Annuity or our Investment-linked Lifetime Income Plan), with proceeds paid into a South African bank account
    • From a Preservation Provident Fund: You may take up to 100% of your money as a lump sum

Tax

  • Tax benefits
    • At retirement there is no tax on the amount transferred to a post-retirement product that provides you with an income during your retirement
    • You don’t pay tax on any interest or dividends
    • No CGT is applicable
  • What is taxable?
    • There is tax on any portion of your retirement savings that you withdraw in cash when you retire
    • There is tax on any withdrawal benefit (if you emigrate and withdraw your money)

Fees

Fees vary per product and your underlying investment. Please speak to your financial planner to make sure you understand which fees you pay and why.

Why get financial advice

It is important to bear in mind that any investment has some risk. We therefore recommend that you consult a financial planner who can help you find the most appropriate products for your needs and circumstances.