Good health care is not always easily obtainable and quickly becomes a costly experience. Many people who have health cover policies sometimes expect to have more cover than their policy actually includes, and they are saddled with high shortfall bills; they land up paying the difference between the medical cover rate, and the cost of […]
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Time to Review your Medical Cover
Towards the end of every year, many medical schemes announce their annual contribution increases for the following year. This makes these last few months of 2018 the perfect time to review your cover and make any necessary amendments, as, until the start of December, most medical aid providers will allow you to change plans or […]
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Make a Mental Note
“Without mental health there can be no true physical health” – Dr Brock Chisholm, the first Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr Brock Chisholm was a psychiatrist who asserted the notion that mental and physical health are linked, and an increasing amount of evidence highlights the impact that mental illnesses — particularly depression […]
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The Lowdown on Inheritance and Donations Tax
Understanding how your (or your loved one’s) possessions and wealth are treated when you pass away is crucial to how you plan for what will happen to them. This blog is aimed at breaking down an incredibly paper-heavy, jargon-filled process! When a taxpayer dies, all their assets are placed in an estate, which is commonly […]
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How to Reduce Estate Costs
Death can be an expensive affair and it is easy to underestimate the costs involved, especially as some unconsidered fees can quickly add up. As well as the funeral expenses, those left behind can be liable to pay mortgage bond cancellation costs, appraisement costs, Master’s Office fees, legal fees, costs of realisation of assets, bank […]
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Truths About Trusts
Did you know that a trust is not simply: a trust? There are many different classifications of trusts in South Africa, such as ownership trusts, bewind trusts and curatorship trusts. Trusts can either be created during a person’s lifetime, which is known as an inter vivos trust, or set up according to a person’s will […]
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Don’t Underestimate your Will Power
Avoid the heartache and headache! This year, National Wills Week is from 17th to 21st September, and is a time when participating attorneys in South Africa will draft basic wills for free. If you haven’t already written a will, this presents the perfect opportunity to do so before it’s too late. Writing a will could […]
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6 Estate Planning Tips
In the wake of the 2018 budget, there are recent changes that could affect your estate, especially with regards to paying VAT, Master’s fees and estate duty. Here’s a quick snapshot! The good news is that executor’s fees remain at 3.5% of your total assets, plus VAT. However, as you’re likely all too aware by […]
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Severe illness cover
Each year, about a million people need to stop working due to an illness or a debilitating injury. Yet, according to an article published in The Times, only 10% of people have severe illness cover. A severe illness is a medical condition that prevents you from leading your normal life, and the life industry covers […]
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Avoid crippling your finances
It is highly likely that one of your biggest assets is your earning power. It is vital to protect this asset and ensure you maintain a steady salary until you have reached your financial goals. Many people take a head-in-sand approach when it comes to income protection, believing that they’ll never be inflicted with a […]
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