29/07/2024
Experiencing financial pressure? Don’t cancel contributions to life insurance and retirement savings
With the cost of living rising, many South Africans are burdened by financial pressure, which is aggravated by inflation. The Reserve Bank’s likely decision to maintain the repo rate at 8.25% offers no relief. Roxanne Tobias, actuary and Head of Marketing and Communications at Sanlam Risk & Savings, stresses the importance of maintaining life insurance and retirement savings, as skipping contributions can have severe long-term impacts. If you cancel risk cover now, it may cost you a lot more to reinstate at a later stage. Instead, Roxanne suggests prioritizing a budget to manage essential expenses.
By tracking spending for a month, using a budgeting app or paper record, you can identify unnecessary costs and create a realistic budget that prioritizes vital financial safeguards.
However, if money is extremely tight, she suggests considering these options rather than cancelling risk cover:
1. Reducing benefit amounts: Instead of cancelling your cover, you can opt to lower the benefit amounts. This allows you to maintain some level of financial protection in the event of illness, disability or death. Reduced cover is better than none at all.
2. Premium holiday options: Some products offer a premium holiday option, allowing you to temporarily pause payments without losing cover. Contact your provider to find out if this option is available to you.
3. Healthy lifestyle discounts: If you have quit smoking for over a year, you may be eligible for lower premiums. Contact your insurer to request a revision of your rates.
Costs will continue to rise, and life events may make it harder to get coverage later if you cancel your policy now. While insurance may seem burdensome, cancelling it can lead to bigger problems.
Consulting a financial adviser for a risk analysis to determine your cover needs and potential risk exposure is crucial before you make changes.
Moreover, planning for the future with assistance of a financial adviser can also help you cut costs, prioritise essential expenses and secure long-term financial stability for you and your loved ones.
Speak to your Sanlam financial adviser today to help you find ways of relieving some of your financial pressure.
Liza Swanepoel CFP®. C.A.(S.A.)
Senior Financial Planner
T +27 11 279 3089 C +27 74 602 7759 F +27 86 677 7107
7 Robyn Place, Noordheuwel, Krugersdorp, 1739
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Sanlam Life is a Licensed Life Insurer, Financial Services and Registered Credit Provider (NCRCP43)