Life companies and asset managers report strong growth in Black shareholding over the past six years

5 December

Black South African shareholders owned 27% of life offices that are members of the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) in 2023, exceeding the25% net value target of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) ownership scorecard for the first time. read more

CIS investor confidence recovers in quarter three, reversing second quarter net outflows

20 November 2024

Investor confidence recovered in the third quarter of this year, resulting in net inflows into the local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) industry of R5.0 billion over the three months to the end of September 2024. In addition, existing investors reinvested income declarations (dividends and interest) worth R37.3 billion. read more

Living annuity drawdown rate average lowest in five years at 6.6%

18 November 2024

Living annuity policyholders withdrew, on average, 6.6% of their invested capital as income in 2023, the lowest average living annuity drawdown rate recorded in the past five years. read more

CIS tax certainty is necessary and needs to support the growth of savings

15 November 2024

The Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) welcomes the release earlier this week by National Treasury of the long-awaited discussion document on the tax treatment of collective investment schemes (CIS). read more

Life insurers and investment companies report a 46% surge in fraud and dishonesty

6 November 2024

South African life insurers and investment companies detected 13 074 cases of fraud and dishonesty in 2023, a 46% increase from the previous year when 8 931 cases were detected. The industry lost at least R175.9 million to fraud and dishonesty in 2023, a 128% increase from the R77.2 million lost in 2022. read more

New categories for unit trusts investing exclusively in South Africa

28 October 2024

Unit trust investors will find it easier to compare the performances and risk profiles of South Africa’s 1 852 local collective investment scheme (CIS) portfolios following an update by the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) of its Fund Classification Standard. read more

Life insurers pay claims and benefits worth R298 billion in the first half of 2024

7 October 2024

South African life insurers paid R298 billion in claims and benefits to beneficiaries and policyholders in the first six months of 2024, according to the long-term insurance statistics released by the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA). read more

Uncertainty drives CIS investors to sacrifice returns for “safety”

17 September 2024

The local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) industry reported assets under management of R3.64 trillion at the end of the second quarter of 2024, a growth of 2% from the end of the first quarter of 2024 when assets stood at R3.57 trillion. read more

ASISA appoints a new CEO

6 September 2024

The Board of Directors of the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) has appointed Kaizer Moyane as CEO, effective 1 November 2024. Moyane takes over from Adrian Burke, who has served in an interim capacity since February 2024. read more

Life insurers paid close to 900 000 death claims worth R39.9 billion in 2023

23 July 2024

South African life insurers paid death and funeral benefits worth R39.9 billion in 2023 to the beneficiaries of 892 817 policies, representing a payout rate of 95.9%. read more

The two-pot retirement system–what to expect on 1 September 2024

22 July 2024

With the new two-pot retirement system taking effect in six weeks, members of retirement funds should ensure that they understand the implications of the system, according to Adri Messerschmidt, senior policy advisor at the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA). read more

ASISA welcomes Old Mutual’s Iain Williamson as new Chairman

14 June 2024

The Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) welcomes Iain Williamson as the new Chairman of the ASISA Board of Directors. Williamson is the CEO of Old Mutual and has been a member of the ASISA Board since January 2020. read more

Expect investment opportunities punted via social media, Telegram and WhatsApp to be scams

4 June 2024

Reputable and regulated financial services providers will never sell policies or investments via a WhatsApp group, Telegram, a social media platform, email or an unsolicited random phone call, according to a consumer alert from the Association for Savings and Investments South Africa (ASISA). read more

Local CIS industry assets surpass R3.5 trillion for the first time

28 May 2024

The local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) industry increased assets under management to R3.57 trillion in the first quarter of 2024 from R3.49 trillion at the end of December 2023. read more

Life insurers paid R599 billion in claims and benefits in 2023

26 March 2024

Policyholders and beneficiaries received R599 billion in 2023 from life insurers that are members of the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) following tragic life events like death and disability or significant life stage changes like retirement. read more

Life offices and asset managers exceed B-BBEE ownership targets, but face hurdles with employment equity targets

5 March 2024

Life offices and asset managers represented by the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) have made encouraging progress towards achieving the relevant transformation targets set by the Amended Financial Sector Code (FSC). read more

Local CIS portfolios grow assets under management to new record levels

5 March 2024

The local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) industry ended 2023 with assets under management just shy of R3.5 trillion, a new record for the industry. This represents an 11.34% growth in assets from R3.141 trillion at the end of December 2022 to R3.498 trillion at the end of December 2023. read more

Retail investors drive net inflows into hedge funds in 2023

5 March 2024

The South African hedge fund industry attracted record net inflows of R6.24 billion in 2023 and grew its assets under management to R137.9 billion (excluding fund of funds). These assets are invested in 213 hedge funds, which are managed by 11 hedge fund management companies. read more

ASISA announces appointment of acting CEO

6 February 2024

The Board of Directors of the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) has appointed Adrian Burke as acting CEO of ASISA. This follows the departure of Busisa Jiya on 31 December 2023. read more

ASISA announces departure of CEO

6 December 2023

The Board of Directors of the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) has announced that Busisa Jiya, CEO of ASISA, will be leaving by mutual agreement at the end of December 2023. read more

Fraud worth R1.1 billion prevented by life and investment companies in 2022

30 November 2023

South African life insurers and investment companies detected 8 931 cases of fraud and dishonesty in 2022. While losses worth R1.1 billion were prevented, the industry lost R77 million to fraud in 2022. read more

Living annuity model proves robust in volatile times

29 November 2023

South African retirees had R625.9 billion of their retirement savings invested in living annuities at the end of 2022, which marks an increase of 47.3% from the R424.8 billion invested in living annuities at the end of 2018. read more

Cautious CIS investors look for diversification in multi asset portfolios

14 November 2023

The local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) industry attracted net new investments of R9 billion in the third quarter of 2023, while existing investors reinvested income declarations (dividends and interest) worth R30 billion. read more

Life insurers pay claims and benefits worth R287.1 billion in the first half of 2023

3 October 2023

Beneficiaries and policyholders received R287.1 billion in claims and benefits from South African life insurers in the first half of 2023. read more

Local CIS industry statistics reflect a tough second quarter for investors

7 September 2023

The local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) industry reported assets under management of R3.36 trillion at the end of the second quarter 2023. This represents an increase of 3% from the end of the first quarter of 2023, when assets stood at R3.27 trillion. read more

Local CIS industry assets grow to R3.27 trillion

12 June 2023

The local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) industry increased assets under management to R3.27 trillion in the first quarter of 2023 from R3.16 trillion at the end of December 2022. read more

Life insurers remain well-capitalised despite tough operating conditions in 2022

 15 March 2023

South African life insurers navigated volatile investment markets and a tough operating environment in 2022, emerging well-capitalised and in a strong position to continue honouring contractual promises made to policyholders and their beneficiaries. read more

Hedge fund industry sees assets under management jump by an unprecedented 30% in 2022

27 February 2023

The South African hedge fund industry grew its assets by an unprecedented 30% in 2022, ending the year with R113.01 billion under management. The industry’s assets under management stood at R86.93 billion at the end of 2021. read more

Local CIS assets under management recover to previous highs

27 February 2023

The local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) industry recorded net inflows* of R108 billion in 2022, ending the year with R3.14 trillion in assets under management. read more

Ongoing market volatility sees CIS investors return to multi asset portfolios

24 November 2022

Despite significant local and global market volatility spilling over into the third quarter of 2022, assets under management by local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) moved back .... read more

South Africa’s life and disability insurance shortfall = R34.3 trillion

2 November 2022

The average South African income earner had a life insurance shortfall of at least R1 million and a disability cover gap of around R1.4 million at the end of December 2021. read more

Life insurers continue to weather adverse conditions

19 September 2022

The past two years severely stress tested the financial resilience of South African life insurers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, severe market volatility and a steep increase in the cost of living for consumers.  read more

CIS industry reports solid net inflows despite stock market turbulence

7 September 2022

The local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) industry reported net inflows of R21 billion for the second quarter of this year, bringing total net inflows for the 12 months to the end of June 2022 to R110 billion. read more

Transformation of SA’s life offices and asset managers shows steady progress with ownership targets exceeded in 2020

22 August 2022

Life offices and asset managers represented by the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) have collectively made steady progress towards achieving the relevant transformation targets... read more

Death claims during fourth COVID wave closer to pre-pandemic levels

28 July 2022

South African life insurers reported a significant drop in death claims for the six months to the end of March 2022 when compared to previous six monthly reporting periods since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. read more

Intensified tracing efforts place unclaimed assets of R22.7 billion in the hands of customers, beneficiaries and heirs

30 June 2022

Members of the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) united policyholders, beneficiaries, investors and heirs with unclaimed assets worth R22.7 billion in 2021. read more

CIS assets remain above R3 trillion despite a turbulent start to the year

24 May 2022

The local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) industry reported net inflows of R28.1 billion for the first three months of this year. read more

Life insurers uncover record numbers of fraudulent and dishonest claims in 2021

10 May 2022

South African life insurers detected 4 287 fraudulent and dishonest claims worth R787.6 million across all lines of risk business in 2021. This is a significant increase from 2020, when 3 186 cases of fraudulent and dishonest claims to a value of R587.3 million were uncovered.  read more

ASISA welcomes Coronation’s Anton Pillay as new Chairman

22 March 2022

The Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) has welcomed Anton Pillay as the new Chairman of the ASISA Board of Directors.  read more

Policyholders and investors cautioned to be extra vigilant following TransUnion data breach

19 March 2022

Following this week’s TransUnion South Africa data breach, the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) is cautioning policyholders and investors to expect an increase in phishing attempts... read more

Life insurers well capitalised despite historic pay-outs of R608 billion in 2021

14 March 2022

Policyholders and beneficiaries received claims and benefit payments worth R608 billion from South African life insurers in 2021, the highest ever paid in a single year. read more

Life insurers report a surge in death claims during COVID-19 third wave

14 March 2022

South African life insurers reported a 53% surge in death claims for the six months between 1 April 2021 and 30 September 2021 when compared to the same period in pre-COVID 2019. read more

Local CIS industry celebrates R3 trillion in assets under management

14 March 2022

Local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) attracted net inflows of R27 billion in the third quarter of this year. read more

Hedge fund industry grows assets to R86.93 billion in an environment of fund consolidation and regulatory constraints

14 March 2022

The South African hedge fund industry ended 2021 with assets under management of R86.93 billion. This represents a healthy growth in assets of R13.66 billion over the 12-month period. read more

Campher hands over baton as CEO of ASISA

17 February 2022

The Board of Directors of the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Busisa Jiya as CEO of ASISA, effective from 1 February 2022.  read more

ASISA announces closure of Fundisa

8 February 2022

The Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) has announced that the Fundisa education unit trust fund will no longer accept investments... read more

Local CIS industry reports net inflows of R27 billion for Q3, with investors favouring Global Equities

2 December 2021

Local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) attracted net inflows of R27 billion in the third quarter of this year. read more

Life insurers paid 99.3% of claims against fully underwritten life policies in 2020

29 November 2021

South African life insurers paid 99.3% of all claims against fully underwritten individual life policies in 2020 to a value of R20.6 billion.  read more

Introducing SmartAboutMoney.co.za

29 September 2021

The SmartAboutMoney.co.za consumer financial education website has gone live under the tag line: “Empowering you to make good money decisions – an ASISA initiative”.  read more

Life insurers remain well capitalised despite unprecedented claims and benefit payments

15 September 2021

Despite the unprecedented claims and benefit payments made to policyholders and beneficiaries as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the life industry remains in ...read more

Beneficiaries receive R47.58 billion from life insurers for more than a million death claims in 12 month period

31 August 2021

Death claims statistics released today by the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) show that 1 023 083 death claims were submitted between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021. read more

Life insurers report significant increases in funeral insurance fraud for 2020

23 August 2021

South African life insurers reported a 12% increase in fraudulent and dishonest claims across all lines of risk business in 2020 when compared to 2019. read more

ASISA Media Statement: Green Paper on Comprehensive Social Security and Retirement Fund Reform

19 August 2021

The Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) has taken note of the Green Paper on Comprehensive Social Security and Retirement Reform...read more

CIS assets under management fast approaching the R3 trillion threshold

19 August 2021

The local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) industry reported net outflows of R18 billion for the second quarter of this year following the closure of South Africa’s biggest money market fund.  read more

National Treasury’s proposed “two-bucket system” a promising response to meet short and long-term financial needs

12 August 2021

The Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) and its members support meaningful changes to the current retirement system that are aimed at strengthening preservation of savings...read more

Majority of local investors miss out on strong stock market recovery

27 May 2021

The local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) industry reported net inflows of R13.69 billion in the first three months of this year, taking to R203.83 billion the total net inflows for the 12 months to the end of March 2021. read more

Local hedge funds industry finding its feet in a regulated environment

8 March 2021

The South African hedge funds industry ended 2020 with assets under management of R73.27 billion. Statistics released by the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) show that assets under management increased by R4.35 billion in 2020... read more

Interest bearing CIS portfolios attract record breaking net inflows in 2020

8 March 2021

The local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) industry attracted net annual inflows of R213 billion last year – the highest ever in the industry’s 55 year history. read more

Life insurers pay more than half a trillion Rand to policyholders and beneficiaries in 2020

8 March 2021

Policyholders and beneficiaries received claims and benefit payments worth R522.7 billion from South African life insurers in 2020. read more

Life insurers report a marked reduction in irregular claims for 2019

9 December 2020

South African life insurers detected 2 837 fraudulent and dishonest claims to the value of R537.1 million last year.

The 2019 fraudulent and dishonest claims statistics, released this week by the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA), show read more

Record net inflows for the local CIS industry despite Covid-19 woes

30 November 2020

South African investors committed R57 billion in net inflows to local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) in the third quarter of this year, bringing to R165 billion the total net inflows for the 12 months to the end of September 2020. read more

ASISA welcomes the public consultation process on the classification of inward listed instruments

26 November 2020

Following the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) Speech on 28 October 2020 by Minister Tito Mboweni, the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) issued Exchange Control Circular 15/2020. read more

New regulations to further ease exchange controls have been misrepresented

24 November 2020

The decision by National Treasury to phase out the concept of formal emigration by 28 February 2021 with the aim of further easing exchange controls has unfortunately been misrepresented... read more

Creating “green” jobs in partnership with the Green Outcomes Fund

17 November 2020

The Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) initiative of the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) has made its first “green” investments in line with the requirements of South Africa’s new Green Outcomes Fund (GOF). read more

Beneficiaries of fully underwritten life policies receive R16.7 billion in death benefits in 2019

7 October 2020

South African life insurers paid 99% of all claims against fully underwritten individual life policies in 2019 to a value of R16.7 billion. read more

ASISA: Threat of prescription is overstated

6 October 2020

The Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) has taken note of the most recent attempt by the South African Institute of Race Relations (IRR) to once again draw ASISA members into the prescription debate. read more

It pays to understand your total tax liability if you have multiple sources of income

29 September 2020

South African taxpayers with different sources of income are often shocked when they discover at the end of the tax year that pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) deductions did not cover their tax liabilities. read more

Policyholders benefit from R230 billion in claims and benefit payments during Covid-19

15 September 2020

South African life insurers provided more than 458 000 policyholders with premium relief assistance to the value of over R1 billion between March and July this year. read more

Local CIS industry records historic net quarterly inflows of R88 billion

17 August 2020

Undeterred by the Covid-19 induced market volatility, investors committed R88 billion in net inflows to local Collective Investment Scheme (CIS) portfolios during the second quarter of this year. read more

Beware of get-rich-quick schemes in tough economic times

22 July 2020

If it sounds too good to be true, you can safely assume that it probably is, says Leon Campher, CEO of the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA).  read more

ASISA commits to B4SA compact for economic recovery

10 July 2020

The Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) and its members are firmly committed to the new social and economic compact being forged between.  read more

Use temporary living annuity drawdown flexibility wisely, cautions ASISA

02 June 2020

The temporary easing yesterday of living annuity drawdown regulations by National Treasury has been welcomed by the Association for Savings and Investment (ASISA), but with a cautionary to living annuity policyholders. read more

Investors commit R23 billion to local CIS portfolios in the first quarter, but avoid equities

26 May 2020

The local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) industry reported net inflows of R23 billion. read more

Policyholders urged to apply for premium relief rather than allowing debit orders to bounce

23 April 2020

The Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) is urging policyholders unable. read more

How the COVID-19 lockdown impacts on buying life cover

30 March 2020

The long-term insurance members of the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) support read more

Life insurers have the reserve buffers to withstand COVID-19 fallout

26 March 2020

The South African life insurance industry has more than double the legally required reserve. read more

Life insurers and investment companies promise uninterrupted service during COVID-19 lockdown

25 March 2020

The Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) and its members commend. read more

If you exit your unit trust portfolios now, you lock in your losses

19 March 2020

When stock markets crash and bad news just keeps on coming from all corners of the globe. read more

SA investors shy away from equities in 2019 unlike their international peers

25 February 2020

The local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) industry reported strong net inflows of R123.2 billion. read more

Life insurers report fewer cases of non-disclosure, but rampant fraud proves a challenge for funeral insurance

09 December 2019

South African life insurers detected 3 708 fraudulent and dishonest claims to the value of R1.06 billion in 2018. read more

Investors continue to favour interest bearing portfolios over equities

12 November 2019

South African investors committed R48 billion in net inflows to local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) in the third. read more

Classification of SA hedge funds underway

10 October 2019

South African hedge fund managers have begun the process of categorising their hedge fund portfolios in line with the provisions. read more

South African earners under 40 most likely to be underinsured

29 October 2019

South African income earners under the age of 40 are far more likely to face a substantial life and disability shortfall than. read more

South Africa’s life and disability insurance gap widens to R34.7 trillion in 2018

29 October 2019

The average South African income earner had a combined life and disability cover shortfall of at least R2.2 million at the end of. read more

Fully underwritten individual life policies pay a record R15.1 billion in claims in 2018

26 August 2019

Beneficiaries received more than R15.1 billion from South African life insurers last year, following claims against fully. read more

Local CIS investors take cautious approach, opting for interest bearing over equities

20 August 2019

The local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) industry completed the second quarter of this year with assets under management. read more

Umbrella funds to disclose costs at individual member level from next year

05 June 2019

Members of umbrella retirement fund solutions will be able to assess the total impact of charges on their individual retirement. read more

ASISA Board appoints new Chair and Deputy Chair

03 June 2019

The Board of the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) has appointed Thabo Khojane, Managing Director. read more

ASISA members unite customers, beneficiaries and heirs with unclaimed assets worth R8.1 billion in 2018

23 May 2019

Members of the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) united policyholders, beneficiaries. read more

A solid first quarter for local collective investment schemes

14 May 2019

The local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) industry reported strong net inflows of R52.8 billion in the first quarter of this year. read more

ASISA Retirement Savings Cost Disclosure Standard developed to build trust through meaningful disclosure

11 April 2019

ASISA has taken note of a number of media reports published over the past week, quoting one source who implied that the. read more

Local CIS industry shoulders tough markets, attracts net inflows of R93.5 bn

14 February 2019

The local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) industry attracted net inflows of R93.5 billion in 2018, ending the year with. read more

Life Insurers Report A Spike In Fraudulent Death Claims For 2017

12 December 2018

South African life insurers foiled a total of 5 026 irregular claims to a value of R1.13 billion in 2017. read more

Honesty Upfront Ensures Hassle-Free Insurance Claims

14 November 2018

The inevitable tightening of the belt that is currently facing many consumers, may make it tempting to try and get cheaper. read more

CIS Investors Undeterred By Volatility, Committing R54 Billion In Third Quarter

13 November 2018

Seemingly undeterred by stock market volatility, a troubled economy and the turmoil in emerging markets, local investors. read more

Policyholders And Beneficiaries Receive R63.7 Billion In Death, Disability And Critical Illness...

11 September 2018

South African life insurers paid R63.7 billion to individuals who had experienced death, disability or a severe illness in their. read more

Living Annuity Drawdown Rate Remains Stable At 6.6%

05 September 2018

Living annuity policyholders managed to keep the average drawdown rate practically unchanged at around 6.6% for two. read more

Local CIS Industry Grows Investor Assets To R2.3 Trillion

06 August 2018

Investors committed a healthy R26 billion in net inflows to the local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) industry over. read more

Employers Collaborate To Equip Thousands Of SA’s Most Vulnerable Earners With Financial Skills

01 August 2018

More than 11 500 economically vulnerable workers from around the country have gained critically important financial literacy. read more

Life Insurers Paid 99.3% Of Underwritten Life Policy Death Claims Worth R14.4 Billion Last Year

06 June 2018

Life insurers paid 99.3% of all claims against fully underwritten life policies last year, resulting in benefit payments of. read more

ASISA Foundation Nurtures Fledgling Micro Enterprises Into Employment Generators

11 June 2018

Rural township entrepreneurs from some of the country’s poorest areas gathered in Sandton, Johannesburg, today to celebrate. read more

A Tough First Quarter For Local Collective Investment Schemes

24 May 2018

The local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) industry reported a 3.2% drop in assets under management for the first. read more

Tough Year For Local Hedge Fund Industry As It Completes The Conversion Of Assets To...

23 April 2018

The South African hedge fund industry ended 2017 with assets under management of R62.4 billion, a decline of R5 billion. read more

ASISA Finalises Standardised Cost Disclosure For Umbrella Funds

16 May 2018

Employers will find it much easier to select the most cost effective umbrella retirement fund solutions for their employees from. read more

Life Insurers Block Dishonest And Fraudulent Claims Worth More Than R1 Billion

26 March 2018

South African life insurers reported significant increases in dishonest and fraudulent long-term insurance claims for 2016. read more

Policyholders And Beneficiaries Receive R469 Billion In Benefit Payments

14 March 2018

South African life insurers injected R469 billion into the economy last year through benefit payments to policyholders and. read more

Fundisa Closes To New Investors

28 February 2018

The Fundisa education unit trust fund has been closed with immediate effect to new investors by the Association for Savings. read more

Cautious Investors Take Wait And See Approach In Interest Bearing Portfolios While Equities Reward....

15 February 2018

The local Collective Investment Schemes (CIS) industry attracted healthy net inflows of R134.5 billion in 2017, ending the year. read more

Business Development Support For Black-Owned Financial Adviser Practices

31 January 2018

“Supporting the growth of black-owned IFA practices is not only a key requirement for achieving meaningful transformation in. read more