Family Wealth Podcast with Hardi Swart

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What are the biggest financial mistakes people make when retiring in South Africa?

In this episode of the Family Wealth Podcast, Hardi Swart explores three important retirement decisions through the story of Simon and Sally, a couple preparing for retirement with R9 million in pension savings.

We discuss the potential R807,750 tax bill on a R3 million pension withdrawal, the differences between living annuities and life annuities, and how to invest retirement savings without taking unnecessary risks.

You'll also learn how a three-bucket investment strategy can help structure your retirement income.

Whether you're approaching retirement or already retired, this conversation will help you understand the decisions that can affect your financial future.

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This episode is for general educational purposes and does not constitute personal financial advice.

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Are You Ready to Retire? 5 Signs It's Time to Stop Working

How do you know when it's time to retire? And what if you're financially ready for retirement but keep putting it off?

Many South Africans spend decades saving and preparing for retirement, only to find themselves saying, "Just one more year."

But working longer isn't always the best decision.

In this episode of the Family Wealth Podcast, Hardi Swart explores 5 important signs that you may be ready to retire, helping you understand when it might be time to stop working and start enjoying the life you've worked so hard to build.

We discuss:

• How to know if you can financially afford to retire.
• Why retirement is about more than having enough money.
• Finding purpose and happiness after retirement.
• Preparing your spouse and family for retirement.
• Why fear and uncertainty can keep you working longer than necessary.
• The hidden cost of postponing retirement.

Whether you're considering retirement at 55, 60 or 65, this episode will help you think about your retirement readiness, financial security and what truly matters in the next chapter of your life.

Because you can always make more money, but you can't make more time.

🎧 Follow the Family Wealth Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast platform for more conversations about retirement planning, investing and building lasting family wealth in South Africa.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalised financial advice.

#RetirementPlanning #WhenToRetire #FinancialPlanning #FamilyWealth #SouthAfrica

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My Husband Has R20 Million. What Happens If He Dies?

What happens to your money, investments and property when your spouse dies in South Africa? And if your husband has R20 million in assets, does that mean you'll automatically be financially secure?

In this episode of the Family Wealth Podcast, Hardi Swart and Kirsten Dreyer discuss the financial challenges surviving spouses can face, including inheritance, estate administration, access to bank accounts, retirement funds and the importance of having an updated will.

We explore why having substantial wealth doesn't necessarily guarantee financial security, what happens to your assets when you pass away and the five important questions every married couple should be able to answer.

Because leaving your family wealth is one thing. Making sure they are financially prepared is another.

Follow the Family Wealth Podcast for practical, straightforward conversations about retirement planning, estate planning, investments and wealth management in South Africa.

Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalised financial, tax or legal advice.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

How many millionaires are there in South Africa in 2026?

And is R16.5 million ($1 million) enough to retire comfortably?

According to the 2026 Africa Wealth Report, approximately 48,200 US-dollar millionaires live in South Africa. But there's a big difference between being wealthy on paper and being financially independent.

In this episode, Hardi Swart, Certified Financial Planner and founder of Family Wealth Custodians, explores what it really means to be a dollar millionaire in South Africa, the difference between net worth and liquid wealth, and why having millions doesn't necessarily guarantee a comfortable retirement.

Because it's one thing to have the money. How do you preserve it?

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Is a Retirement Annuity worth it in South Africa?

Retirement Annuities (RAs) are one of the most popular ways South Africans save for retirement, largely because of the potential tax benefits. But those benefits come with important restrictions.

In this episode, Hardi Swart and Hugo Kloppers unpack the pros and cons of Retirement Annuities in South Africa.

They discuss the RA tax deduction, tax-efficient investment growth, Regulation 28, offshore investment limits, the two-pot system, access to your money, fees, tax at retirement, estate-planning considerations and disallowed retirement-fund contributions.

They also explore an important question: where should an RA fit alongside a TFSA, discretionary investments and offshore investments in your overall retirement plan?

Because the question isn't simply whether a Retirement Annuity is good or bad. It's understanding what job it should do inside your financial plan.

This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalised financial advice.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Retiring with R30 million sounds like financial freedom. But how you structure that wealth can make an enormous difference to the tax you pay.

In this episode, Hardi Swart uses the fictional story of Sam and Mary to explore tax-efficient retirement planning in South Africa.

We unpack cash and interest income, local and offshore tax wrappers, sinking funds, retirement annuities, living annuities, disallowed retirement contributions and Section 10C.

Because building wealth is only part of the journey. How you structure, use and eventually transfer it matters too.

Educational content only. Not personal financial or tax advice.

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Living Annuity in South Africa: What are the pros, cons and biggest risks?

A living annuity gives you flexibility, investment control and the potential to leave your remaining retirement capital to your family. But it also comes with an important responsibility: making sure your retirement savings last. So, is a living annuity the right choice for your retirement?

In this episode of the Family Wealth Pros & Cons series, Certified Financial Planner® Hardi Swart and Senior Financial Planner Cam Sondlo explain the advantages, disadvantages and risks of living annuities in South Africa.

You'll learn:

- How a living annuity works in South Africa.

- The advantages of flexibility and investment control.

- The risks of withdrawing too much retirement income.

- Why poor market performance early in retirement matters.

- The tax benefits and costs of living annuities.

- What happens to your living annuity when you die.

- The differences between a living annuity and a life annuity.

- Why combining both products may form part of a retirement strategy.

With living annuities, you can generally choose an annual income of between 2.5% and 17.5% of your investment value. But just because you can withdraw a certain amount doesn't mean that it's sustainable.

Whether you're approaching retirement, already retired or helping a family member make retirement decisions, this conversation will help you understand the important trade-offs.

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Most South Africans don’t mind paying tax. But nobody wants to pay more tax than they need to.

In this episode, Certified Financial Planner® Hardi Swart and Senior Financial Planner Cam Sondlo unpack one of South Africa’s most powerful long-term investment tools: the Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA).

We cover how a TFSA works, contribution limits, common mistakes, fees, investment choices, and how it can fit into a broader retirement plan.

Used correctly, a TFSA can potentially grow into millions of rands - with no South African tax on interest, local dividends or capital gains.

🎥 This podcast is adapted from our Family Wealth YouTube content. Some episodes may refer to charts, examples or other visuals. If something isn’t clear through audio alone, visit the Family Wealth YouTube channel to watch the full video.

🎧 Follow the Family Wealth podcast for practical, easy-to-understand conversations about retirement, investing and building wealth in South Africa.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute personalised financial advice. Please consult a suitably qualified financial adviser regarding your individual circumstances.