Benefits paid for by the scheme that you enjoy when your day-to-day healthcare claims exceed a threshold. The threshold is typically set above the balance in your medical savings account so that when this account is exhausted you pay some claims out of your own pocket in a self-payment gap until you reach the threshold.
An early pay-out of the sum for which you are insured.
This ratio gives an indication of how well the business manages to get those who owe it money to pay their accounts. It is calculated by dividing the amount of sales on credit over a period by the average value of the accounts outstanding for the same period.
Being an active shareholder by engaging with investor companies and voting on shareholder resolutions.
A measure of how much a manager’s investment choices differ from the index.
Being an active steward or manager on behalf of a shareholder by engaging with investor companies and voting on shareholder resolutions.
Investments managed by fund managers who use their experience to select securities and/or allocate assets in line with their views on which securities or asset classes are likely to do better than the market.
Acute medication is prescribed by a doctor for a short period to combat a temporary illness or condition.
A credit or rebate you may enjoy in addition to that for medical scheme contributions paid. This credit is a percentage of medical expenses you have not recouped from a medical scheme and possibly disability-related expenses, plus some of your contributions above a threshold. The percentage allowed depends on whether you are above or below the age of 65 and whether you, your spouse or child have a disability.
When you apply for credit, a credit provider must assess whether you can afford the repayments by considering your income and expenses.
Investors are tricked into paying a small upfront fee in exchange for a share of a big amount later that the fee will supposedly unlock. The fraudster vanishes after taking the fee.
The sum of all your capital gains and losses for the tax year, after applying the exclusions, limitations, rollovers and any applicable annual exclusion, when the result is positive.
The sum of all your capital gains and losses for the tax year, after applying the exclusions, limitations, rollovers and any applicable annual exclusion, when the result is negative.
The index that reflects the movement of the shares on the JSE, by reflecting all the shares in line with their market weightings (size and price).
Benefits provided by an employer such as those for housing, work-related travel expenses or an entertainment allowance. These may be taxable.
The return an active manager earns above the return of the market.
Investments beyond listed equity, bond, property and cash markets such as private (unlisted) equity, private (unlisted) debt, infrastructure projects, foreign currencies and hedge funds.
These investors are typically successful businesspeople who want to help young entrepreneurs who are starting out. They may also act as mentors.
The total return earned over a period averaged out over each year in the period.
A monthly pension purchased with a lump sum, typically from a retirement fund.
When you act on information you have about, for example, your health, to the disadvantage of an insurer or medical scheme. For example, taking out cover when you know you need to claim.
A group life scheme where the policy is owned by a registered retirement fund and premiums are paid from contributions made to the fund.
An aggregate capital loss to be carried forward, or the aggregate capital loss for the current tax year, together with an assessed capital loss brought forward from the previous year. Alternatively, the previous year’s assessed capital loss brought forward where there is no aggregate capital gain or loss for the current tax year or the portion of an assessed capital loss brought forward that exceeds the current tax year’s aggregate capital gain.
The process of spreading your investment across the different asset classes such as shares, bonds, listed property and cash in order to benefit from diversification.
An asset class is a group of investments with similar risk and return characteristics, such as shares or bonds or listed property.
An assessment of income tax issued by the South African Revenue Service without your input. The assessment is based on information about your income, deductions and tax paid that is submitted by your employer, bank, financial institutions, medical schemes, retirement annuity fund administrators and other third-party data providers.
The average rate of tax you pay on your taxable income, calculated by dividing the tax you pay by your taxable income and expressing it as a percentage.
These are bills of exchange or written orders that bind one party to pay a fixed sum of money to another party on demand or at a predetermined date. Banks offer this short-term finance at better rates than overdrafts and the borrower can sell the banker’s acceptance to another party. They are no longer used in South Africa but are still in use in other countries.
The starting cost that can be subtracted from the proceeds of selling or disposing an asset in order to determine the capital gain (or loss).
The base cost of an asset for capital gains tax is the value of the asset on October 1, 2001, or the cost of acquiring the asset after that date, and in both cases the cost of any improvements can be added.
The cash component of your salary package, before any deductions or additional benefits and excluding overtime pay and bonuses.
A benchmark is used to measure the performance of a fund or portfolio and particularly the manager’s performance relative to that of the market in which the manager invests, measured by an index. For example, the FTSE/JSE All Share Index is a common benchmark for a South African equity fund.
A fund or portfolio is benchmark agnostic if the manager does not invest in the same or similar securities, sectors, regions or countries as are reflected in a benchmark index.
Investing largely in line with the benchmark.
A person who gets a benefit from a life policy, a retirement fund, a trust or a will.
A beneficiary fund is an umbrella retirement fund into which your retirement fund death benefits can be paid and administered for the benefit of your dependants, especially minor children.
This term is often used to refer to the return you would earn if you invested in an entire market. The term actually means a measure of volatility of stock or other security relative to the rest of the market.
The shares of high-quality companies – often multinationals – that have a dominant position in their industries and have produced reliable returns over many years.
Agents cold-call potential clients or send unsolicited mails and then use high-pressure tactics and promises of high returns or exclusivity to bully them into buying.
Bonds are created when governments, state owned entities, municipalities or companies raise money from investors by issuing loans. Each bond issued represents an equal portion of the debt. The issuer pays interest and repays the capital after a certain term. Investors can trade bonds, giving them a price that differs from the price at which they were issued.
A bond originator helps you determine what home loan you can afford and obtains quotes from a number of home loan providers to help you find the best deal.
The income you can earn as a percentage of the price of a bond.
Asset allocation decisions that are based on the relative valuations of shares bonds or other securities. The exposure to an asset class depends on the price relative to earnings of each security.
Choosing each share based on its merits and not based on the economic trends and the sector, industry or region that will benefit.
A small investment firm, often owner-managed, that offers specialised investment management.
The phenomenon that occurs when tax brackets are not adjusted fully for salary inflation which results in your income increasing only by inflation, but your tax rate increasing because your income falls into a higher tax bracket.
A document that outlines the goals and objectives of the business and a roadmap for achieving them. It keeps business owners focussed and is required if you apply for financing.
A contract that outlines how a co-owner’s share of a business will be purchased by the remaining co-owners upon his or her death.
These are amounts investors deposit in an account which can be called back if the investor wants to withdraw the money.
The money you have invested, at its current value.
The tax you pay when you dispose of certain assets, such as investments, and realise a gain.
The share price multiplied by the number of shares currently in issue.
An index of shares on the JSE, weighted to reflect amounts invested on the local exchange and excluding amounts shareholders hold on foreign exchanges. In this index share weightings are capped at 10% to reduce concentration risk.
A form of investment in projects, such as forestry or agricultural ones, that removes or reduces greenhouse gas emissions that are used by companies and individuals to offset their own emissions or carbon footprint.
The carbon dioxide emitted by a business, individual or practice. Carbon emissions make up the bulk of the green- house gas emissions that contribute to global warming.
A measure of the greenhouse gas emissions of a person, group, company or country, determined from green-house gas emissions or carbon intensity.
When carbon emissions or carbon footprints are minimised and offset through environmentally friendly initiatives or by buying carbon credits.
Practising any profession, trade or occupation, running a business or venture, being employed or renting out property.
Money in a bank account or money market fund that can be accessed immediately.
Short-term investments that can be quickly converted into cash.
The flow of cash in and out of your personal finances or business. Many expenses need to be paid quickly, so you need to be sure you receive enough cash in to cover these. Money you are owed may take time to collect and does not help meet immediate expenses.
To give or transfer your right to something.
When you give or cede your right to an asset or benefit to someone else. You can, for example, cede your right to an insurance policy benefit to a credit provider as security for your debt.
The percentage of the capital gain that is regarded as taxable.
A condition that requires ongoing or long-term care such as asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes or HIV.
A condition that requires ongoing long-term or continuous medical treatment – typically regular medication and check-ups. For example, high blood pressure or diabetes.
Medicine taken to treat a chronic condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, that is ongoing or long-term.
A legalised marriage between two people, of the same or opposite sex, and over the age of 18. A civil union enjoys all the same rights, protections and consequences as a civil marriage between a man and a woman.
The change in the climate globally brought about by changing weather and human activity.
Supporting companies and technologies that are aiding the transition away from fossil fuels and carbon-intensive industries.
A separate legal entity which has rights and duties of its own. It must be registered through the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and be a registered taxpayer in its own right. It is administered by the owners who are called members, who run the business. No new CC’s have been allowed to register since May 2011, but it’s possible to buy a shelf company (a Pty (Ltd) or CC) that is registered with CIPC but inactive.
A code for institutional investors, such as retirement funds, that encourages the inclusions of ESG principles in investment decisions.
An amendment to a will that must be signed in the same way your will is signed.
An asset that is used as security for a loan. It’s agreed upfront that if the loan is not paid back, the asset becomes the property of the lender.
An investment in which your money is pooled with that of other investors so that the assets can be professionally managed by experienced fund managers. Unit trusts, some exchange traded funds and hedge funds are all collective investment schemes.
Raw materials, minerals or agricultural products, such as oil, gold, copper, platinum, or wheat, maize or coffee. Also known as resources.
A principle for setting contributions in medical scheme options. It is the opposite of risk rating, which means your individual circumstances, such as your age and health status, is not taken into account and the contributions are the same for all who belong to that option.
The fund that provides compensation to employees who are injured or contract diseases through the course of their employment. The Compensation for Occupation Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) established the fund and determines who is eligible for compensation.
When interest added to your investment earns more interest, the growth on your investment is said to be compounding and it grows faster than an investment from which you draw the interest.
A monthly pension that you are obliged to buy with a certain portion of your savings in a retirement fund – typically two-thirds of your savings.
A conflict of interest arises when an individual or entity has competing interests that could potentially result in him, her or it not acting in your best interest.
A statistics-based indicator widely used by economists to ascertain the rate at which the prices of consumer goods and services are rising.
Failure to abide by an order of a court of law.
Group life insurance that you can convert into an individual policy when you leave your employer.
An over-the-counter or unlisted contract that gives you access to the same returns as a security without owning it.
An investor who purposefully chooses to go against market sentiment and the investments currently in favour. A contrarian investor will sell popular investments when others are flocking to buy them and will buy investments that most investors are shunning.
The amount you pay to belong to a medical scheme or agree to pay to a retirement fund.
The ability to convert group life cover into an individual policy when you leave your employer. Also known as continuation cover.
A co-payment is a portion of the cost of a health service not covered by your medical scheme that you, as a member, have to pay for out of your own pocket.
Your total salary package including your pre-tax basic salary and any other benefits provided.
An old term for interest payments on bonds.
This is the contract you enter into with a credit provider when you buy goods or services on credit or borrow money from a credit provider and agree to pay interest and/or fees and charges.
A credit bureau collects and stores data about loans and store accounts you have from numerous credit providers and lenders. It compiles your credit report which includes data on how you manage your repayments. This information can be accessed by credit providers who want to assess how worthy you are of being given more credit.
Life and disability insurance that pays your debt if you die or are disabled. Read more in Credit life cover.
A credit provider allows you to borrow money or buy goods or services on credit and is registered with the National Credit Regulator.
A report compiled by a credit bureau based on information from numerous credit providers about the debts you hold and how well you have been repaying them. Your report can be accessed by credit providers who want to assess whether to lend to you and at what interest rate.
A three-digit number recorded on your credit report that sums up your credit risk.
A person or company that is owed money.
Insurance that pays out if you are diagnosed with a defined dread disease. Also known as critical illness or severe illness cover. Read more in Severe illness cover.
This ratio shows the ability of a business to pay off its current liabilities or debts using its current assets – assets the business can convert into cash within a year like cash in the bank, stock or money owed to the business.
The company that holds the assets of collective investment scheme in safe custody.
The out-of-hospital health services you get more often from your general practitioner, dentist or optometrist and includes medication, blood tests, x-rays and other scans.
The proceeds of a life insurance policy or in the case of a retirement fund, your savings and any group life insurance benefits from a scheme approved by the fund.
A card issued for a cheque, current or transactional bank account that allows you to make payments by swiping the card at shops, restaurants and other merchants. The amount you pay is reserved or deducted from your balance immediately, so you are unable to spend more than you have in your account.
A loan used to consolidate many different debts into one, either by paying them off or providing cash to do so. You are then left with only one bigger loan to repay.
A legal process involving a debt counsellor drawing up a more affordable way for you to repay your debt. The plan must be acceptable to your creditors and is made an order of court.
A debt counsellor can help you to apply for debt review and have your debt repayments rearranged to make it more affordable for you to repay your debts.
A legal process that aims to find a more affordable way for you to repay your debt that is acceptable to your creditors.
The process of reducing the carbon emissions of a company, industry or country.
This is a business’s liabilities or debts divided by the shareholder capital invested in the business. It shows how the business has used that capital to leverage or gear the business.
When calculating capital gains tax, a deemed disposal of your assets occurs when you die or emigrate.
An annuity or pension offered to you by your retirement fund. It is approved by the trustees as broadly suitable for the members of the fund.
The investment strategy that trustees are obliged to set up in terms of regulations under the Pension Funds Act for retirement fund members. It may be the only investment strategy for the fund, or if the fund offers a choice of strategies, it is the one in which members’ savings will be invested when they fail to make their own choice.
A default judgment is issued when you fail to defend a summons or pay the amount claimed.
A retirement fund that guarantees a benefit at retirement. The benefit is defined by a formula based on your final salary and years of service.
A retirement fund in which the benefits you receive are based on how much you (and your employer) contributed and the returns from the investment of those contributions after fees.
These are securities that derive their value from another security. An example of this is an option to buy a share on the JSE.
The healthcare provider, such as a doctor, hospital or pharmacist, that your scheme has named in its rules as the one you must use in order to enjoy cover for the prescribed minimum benefits.
The share, bond and other financial markets of countries whose economies and financial markets are advanced. Typically, this includes the US, UK and other European countries.
A person who is appointed by the shareholders and manages a company. They are generally part of a team of directors who jointly make policy decisions and set direction for the organisation. Usually the managing director leads the company.
Insurance that pays out if you are disabled as defined in the policy. Read more in Disability cover.
Investment professionals who manage investment portfolios for the clients of financial advisors. This allows advisers to focus on determining their client’s investment needs and giving advice, while a professional team selects and combines funds and/or asset managers to manage parts of the portfolio to deliver the required returns. Also known as a discretionary investment fund manager.
Investment professionals who manage investment portfolios for the clients of financial advisors. This allows advisers to focus on determining their client’s investment needs and giving advice, while a professional team selects and combines funds and/or asset managers to manage parts of the portfolio to deliver the required returns. Also known as a discretionary fund manager.
A programme to help you manage an illness with medication, monitoring as well as education and changes to your lifestyle.
When calculating capital gains tax, a disposal includes selling or donating an asset, or switching an investment. Destruction or expropriation of your asset is also a disposal.
The practice of spreading investments across different securities, sectors, markets, asset classes and managers to reduce risk and enhance returns.
A regular payment to shareholders made out of the company’s profits.
The dividends you earn as a percentage of the price of a share.
Managers who focus on avoiding losing money on the investments they have made are said to manage downside risk.
The percentage drawn as an income or pension from an investment linked living annuity.
Money withdrawn from a sole proprietor or partnership by the owner /partner for personal use.
Insurance that pays out if you are diagnosed with a defined dread disease. Also known as critical illness or severe illness cover.
A company is dual listed when its shares are listed on more than one stock exchange.
Taking reasonable care, especially when recommending a product or service, to ensure it is legal, financially sound and can achieve what it promises to do.
The period until a bond, or similar security, matures and the sensitivity of the price of the bond to changes in the yield. Securities with higher durations are more sensitive to changes in the price of the security.
A standardised method of disclosing the costs you are likely to pay over the term of an investment product. It includes the total expense ratio and transaction costs, as well as advice fees and potential penalties.
The average rate of tax you pay on your income when the tax brackets and rebates are applied.
Savings you can easily access if an emergency arises and you need cash. These savings are a financial safety net that prevent you from borrowing in a crisis.
The share, bond and other financial markets of countries whose economies and financial markets are not yet advanced. Typically, this includes China, India, Brazil, Russia and South Africa, among many others.
An order made by a court to attach a portion of a debtor’s income. Also referred to as a garnishee order.
A retirement fund set up by your employer for the benefit of employees and into which your employer pays contributions on your behalf.
An endowment is an investment policy that commits you to invest for at least five years. Endowments have tax, estate planning, offshore investment and security from creditor benefits that are useful to certain investors.
Shares in a company that are traded on a stock exchange, such as the JSE. Equities pay dividends and you can also make a capital gain if you sell equities at a higher price than what you bought them for.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors that can be considered together with financial factors in investment decision making.
A rating or measure a business or investment achieves when its environmental, social and governance factors are measured by a ratings agency using its ESG measures.
A score or measure a business or investment achieves when its environmental, social and governance factors are measured by a ratings agency using its ESG measures.
Screening out shares, bonds or other securities that rate poorly on ESG factors.
Everything you own and owe at the time of your death.
Tax that is levied on your estate after your death in terms of the Estate Duty Act.
The exemption or abatement that is allowed against the value of an estate before estate duty is applied.
Avoiding investments in goods or services that harm the environment, a community or individuals, that do not meet personal values of no gambling or pornography, for example.
The first portion of an insurance claim that you must pay.
A fund listed on a stock exchange that allows you to invest in a basket of shares, bonds or other securities that make up an index.
An investment that promises to track an index or commodity, but may not necessarily be invested in that index or commodity.
The collective name for exchange traded funds (ETFs) and exchange traded notes (ETNs).
Circumstances under which you are denied cover on your life or health or on your possessions.
The person or company appointed by the Master of the High Court to wind up your estate after your death.
Fees deducted from your estate to pay the executor. These fees are limited to 3.5% of your estate (4,025% including VAT).
Investments that adhere to the principles of certain religions, such as Shariah investments that adhere to the principles of the Islamic religion.
The level of performance the fund must achieve before the manager can charge a performance fee.
A fund that invests or feeds into a single fund. A fund based in rands, for example, may feed into an offshore fund that is based in another currency.
An investment in a financial instrument that gives you legal rights, such as a share or bond.
Technology aimed at providing you with automated financial products or services.
Investments that you earn interest on, such as fixed deposits at a bank or bonds. These investments offer reliable income and are generally regarded as having a lower risk than ones invested in equities.
The amount of money you are allowed to take out of South Africa under the country’s exchange control regulations.
This is a shortening of the two words foreign exchange. It is used to refer to the market where buyers and sellers exchange one currency for another.
A list of effective and cost-efficient prescription medicines – often including generic medicines - that your medical scheme covers.
Natural sources of energy such as coal, oil and gas that release carbon into the atmosphere when burned to create energy.
The cash remaining after a company pays its operating expenses and capital expenditures.
The shares that are available for the public in a particular country to buy and sell.
Benefits other than wages or salaries that employees receive. It includes private use of a company vehicle, low interest or interest free loans, long service awards and acquiring an asset at less than the actual value. The value of this benefit is added to your salary and you are taxed on this.
Researching a share, bond or other security using information such as the company’s financial statements as well as information about the industry, competitors and markets to see if is priced correctly.
Underwriting that includes questions about your and your family’s medical history, and also potentially medical tests such as blood tests or an ECG.
Unit trust funds with different fees for different investors, such as individual investors, investors using an investment platform or institutional investors, have more than one fee class.
A person or company that chooses when to buy and sell shares or bonds, other securities or underlying funds for a unit trust fund, fund of funds or for a retirement fund. Also known as an asset manager or investment manager.
A fund that invests in other funds instead of directly into shares, bonds or other securities.
A short-term insurance policy that covers the shortfall between what your medical scheme pays and what a doctor charges to treat you in hospital. Some policies also have cover for shortfalls in oncology benefits and treatment in casualty.
A generic medicine contains the same ingredients as the original brand name medicine that was developed. Generic medicines can be produced at cheaper prices after the patent on the brand name medicine has expired. Patents allow the company that developed a medicine to recover their research and development costs.
Another name for a bond. The name has its origins in the gold edging that was originally used on bond certificates issued by governments.
The rising temperatures due to human activity around the world and the impact thereof.
The period a provider gives you to pay your premiums or contributions before your contract ceases or lapses.
Bonds issued to raise capital for projects that benefit the environment such as renewable energy projects or water recycling.
Investments that focus on improving the environment or minimising damage to it.
Gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, that trap heat close to the surface of the earth causing climate change
When a company or investment provider creates a false impression or provides misleading information about the positive impact of the business or investment on the environment.
The amount you earn before deductions from your salary.
This is the gross profit as a percentage of the sales or turnover. The gross profit is what a business makes from selling its goods or services less the cost of those goods or services.
Life, disability and possibly severe illness and funeral cover that is covered through a policy for a group, such as all employees of an employer or all members of a union.
An investment strategy that focuses on the shares of companies whose earnings are growing rapidly and are likely to continue to grow.
The share of a company that is experiencing rapid growth in earnings and revenue, and typically pays little or no dividends.
A guaranteed pension you buy with your retirement savings when you get to retirement. Your pension is guaranteed for the rest of your life. Also known as a life annuity.
The person who is legally responsible for looking after a minor child or an adult who is incapable.
A government fund that manages money on behalf of people who are legally incapable or who do not have the capacity to manage their own affairs. This includes minors, unborn heirs and missing people.
You can protect yourself against losses when you invest in a market with a hedge or a position that will offset the losses. Typically, derivatives that can be exercised only if a loss occurs are used to hedge investment and/or currency positions.
A collective investment scheme that pools investor’s funds to invest and make money regardless of whether markets are going up or down. Hedge funds can borrow to invest, engage in short selling and use other less-restricted and riskier investment strategies than unit trust funds.
Managers who invest heavily in a small selection of securities and will deviate from the benchmark.
Also known as building insurance, this insurance protects you against damage to the building that you live in and its fixtures. It protects you against fire, floods, storm damage, landslides, accidental damage and burst geysers or water pipes.
An insurance policy that pays out a pre-defined benefit if you, or anyone else named in the policy, are hospitalised.
An annuity that combines a retirement income or pension based on investments with a guaranteed or secure income.
Using hydrogen instead of more carbon intensive energy sources for things such as electric vehicles, heating and power generation.
When your personal information is used by criminals to assume your identity and acquire retail or bank accounts, or even defraud your insurance, medical aid and the Unemployment Insurance Fund.
Impact investors invest in businesses or organisations or projects that target an outcome that benefits society or the environment, such as education, affordable housing or renewable power generation.
A condition that impairs your ability to move physically, or impairs the functioning of your body. Examples, include the loss of a limb, speech, hearing, vision, confinement to a wheelchair or severe burns.
The default way of getting married that involves spouses sharing all their assets and liabilities equally.
When you get goods or services that you agree to pay for on presentation of an account, and interest is only payable if the account is not paid by a specified date, or you are quoted a lower price to settle the account within a specified period.
The percentage applied to any net capital gain to determine the taxable capital gain that is included in your taxable income.
These funds aim to deliver a high level of income by investing in interest-bearing investments with an average term to maturity of no more than two years. They are short-term interest-bearing funds.
A policy that pays out a monthly income benefit if you are disabled, as defined in the policy.
The taxable income bands to which different tax rates apply.
An index is a simulated portfolio of the shares, bonds or other securities in a market or a sector of the market. It allows you to track the performance of that market.
An index-tracking fund or portfolio invests in the same weightings of shares, bonds or other securities that make up an index.
Investment in physical structures or systems that provide utilities such as electricity, roads, sewage and water to the public with a view to stimulating economic growth. The investments are typically unlisted and available to institutional investors such as retirement funds. The investments may be offered as shares, debt instruments such as bonds or the physical property.
An entity controlled by trustees to manage assets for the benefit of the trust’s beneficiaries. This trust is set up by a founder during their life by way of a trust deed that guides the trustees on how to manage and distribute the trust’s assets.
You are insolvent when your debts exceed your assets.
An institution such as a retirement fund, life insurance company or asset management company that invests large sums on behalf of its clients or members.
This ratio measures a business’s ability to service the interest on its debt. It is calculated by dividing the business’s earnings or profits before tax and interest are deducted, by the interest due.
If you die without writing a will, you are said to die intestate and your estate is dealt with in terms of the Intestate Succession Act.
This ratio gives an indication of how slowly or quickly a company holds stock or inventory before it sells it. It is calculated by dividing the cost of the goods sold over a period (eg a quarter or year) and dividing it by the average value of the stock or inventory held over the same period.
The costs of investing in securities, such as brokerage and the securities transfer tax, that are incurred in an investment, such as a unit trust fund.
An investment you buy with your retirement savings and from which you draw a pension during retirement.
A one-stop online shop where you can buy and sell a range of unit trust funds, and possibly exchange traded funds, typically from different financial institutions.
The risk of losing money – typically as a result of volatility, failing to meet your investment goals or underperforming inflation.
An investment style or philosophy that is recognised such as value or growth.
The range of investments from which a fund manager can choose – often defined by the fund's investment aims or mandate.
A share, bond or derivative for a foreign entity that is listed on a local exchange and settled in rands.
This is a tax certificate you should get from your employer at the end of the tax year. It details your income, deductions and the tax you have paid. The information on it should be submitted to the South African Revenue Service and should prepopulate your tax return.
A rating from a global credit rating agency that indicates that a government’s ability to honour its debts is poor and that investing in its debt instruments is risky. Junk status leads to certain indices excluding that government’s bonds and this in turn results in investors selling the bonds. This ultimately increases the interest the government must pay on its bonds to attract investors. This raises the cost of borrowing.
When you owe a creditor money and fail to pay on time, a creditor can issue a summons and ask the court for a judgment against you. The creditor can then instruct a sheriff to collect what the judgment says you owe and the judgment will be recorded on your credit record.
A life or disability policy on the life of an employee whose contribution to the business is crucial. The policy is owned and paid for by the business, so the proceeds are paid directly to the business.
A person whose role, skills, experience or relationships with clients are key to the success of a business.
A life or disability policy on the life of an employee whose contribution to the business is crucial. The policy is owned and paid for by the business, so the proceeds are paid directly to the business.
A typically undisclosed payment that compensates a person or institution for preferential treatment.
The largest shares on a market ranked by their total market value or market capitalisation. On the JSE these are the top 40 shares.
These are the largest shares by market capitalisation on a stock market. In South Africa, the top 40 shares are the large cap stocks.
An ongoing penalty applied to medical scheme contributions when a member joins a medical scheme after the age of 35, either for the first time or after a break in membership. The penalty applied depends on how long the member has been a member of a scheme previously.
The law that states how your estate must be distributed if you die without a will.
Money or property you leave to someone after you die.
An individual, company, or organisation that is legally permitted to enter into a contract, for the purchase, sale, or lease of real property.
When you are party to a contract and you fail to keep to the terms of the contract, the other party sends you a letter of demand. It is often a precursor to litigation or your matter going to court.
A guaranteed annuity or pension you buy with your retirement savings when you get to retirement. Your pension is guaranteed for the rest of your life.
Insurance that pays out if you die.
Insurance that pays out the insured sum if you die.
A life insurance policy has limited underwriting if you only have to answer a few questions about your health and lifestyle and are not expected to have any medical tests.
Listed companies are those that are included and traded on a stock exchange. Most exchanges have requirements that companies must meet in order to be listed and remain listed. This potentially offers you more protection than you would enjoy investing in an unlisted company’s shares.
The shares of property companies involved in developing and managing properties (or real estate) that are listed on a stock market.
To sell assets for cash. An asset is said to be illiquid if it is hard to sell.
The ease with which an asset can be sold. An asset is said to be liquid if the owner can sell it quickly and easily.
An investment you buy with your retirement savings and from which you draw a pension during retirement. Also known as an investment-linked living annuity.
A written document in which a person outlines their wishes regarding future medical treatment in instances where they are no longer able to communicate these wishes, such as if they were in a coma or on life support.
An additional premium you are charged to cover the additional risk of you dying or becoming ill or disabled as a result of your health, occupation or sports and hobbies.
Financial planning in which advisers engage you on your life goals and how to structure your finances to achieve those goals in a sustainable way.
Benefits for expenses associated with serious illness or hospitalisation.
A committee set up at each employer participating in an umbrella fund to represent the members from that employer.
Marginal tax rates are rates that apply to different levels of income. In South Africa, the lowest income earners pay no tax, but above the tax threshold different rates apply to different income bands starting at 18% and extending to 45% for the highest earners.
The market capitalisation of a company is the total value on a stock market of the shares issued at any point in time. It is calculated by multiplying the number of shares issued by the share price.
A hedge fund strategy that involves taking both long and short positions with a view to achieving a positive return regardless of what equity markets deliver.
When an investor tries to maximise returns by timing the decision to buy or sell a security, or exposure to a market, to coincide with a rise or fall respectively in that security, or market.
The value something could be sold for in the market, for example, the share price of a listed share or the value of property determined by a professional property valuator.
The office within the High Court that oversees the administration of deceased estates, trusts, insolvent estates and the care of minors.
A failure to share relevant information that would enable an insurer to properly assess the risk when you apply for or renew an insurance contract.
When you join a registered medical scheme, you pay a monthly contribution to enjoy certain regulated benefits for healthcare services as well as others the scheme's trustees decide to provide. Typically, you enjoy good cover for hospital events and other major medical expenses and some day-to-day benefits.
A savings account funded with up to 25% of your medical scheme contributions which you can use to pay for day-to-day healthcare expenses.
A credit or rebate you enjoy for paying medical scheme contributions. The credit reduces your tax and the rand amount for the member and dependants are set each year in the Budget.
Benefits paid by the scheme from all members’ pooled contributions and not from your medical savings account.
A list of prescription medicines your medical scheme option or health plan covers. The list covers the most cost-effective medicines for your condition.
A person under the age of 18.
A portfolio that blends asset classes, investment managers and investment styles to achieve an expected return with a corresponding level of risk.
Investing in shares that have been performing well and are likely to continue to do so.
The buying and selling of short-term liquid debt instruments such as treasury bills, negotiable certificates of deposit, bills of exchange and short-term bonds is referred to collectively as the money market.
These funds invest in the money market in a variety of instruments that have on average terms of no more than 90 days. They aim to earn better interest than a bank savings account while remaining liquid and easy to access.
An index made up of large and mid-cap shares in more than 20 countries representing developed markets.
These unit trust funds invest across shares, bonds, listed property and cash.
These funds focus on earning income investing mostly in the money market and bonds, but can hold up to 10% in shares and 25% in listed property.
A manager that selects and blends together a number of other investment managers specializing in different asset classes and/or investment philosophies to manage the money in a portfolio to deliver good returns at low risk.
The term used in the US, Canada and India to describe a fund in which investors pool money to be managed by experienced fund managers. The manager selects a range of assets such as shares, bonds, property shares, cash instruments or even physical property.
The proposed new healthcare system for South Africa that will pool all funding for healthcare, purchases services through a central fund and cater for everyone regardless of whether they can afford to pay or not.
These are issued by institutions that offer to pay the bearer an amount plus interest on maturity. They are normally issued for less than a year.
The net asset value of a unit trust fund is the value of all the shares, bonds or other securities in the fund, less the allowed expenses (for example, management fees or trading costs), divided by the number of units in issue.
The aggregate capital gain less any assessed capital loss brought forward from a previous tax year that has a positive result.
This is the net profit expressed as a percentage of sales or turnover. The net profit is what a business makes from selling its goods or services less the cost of those goods and services, and all the business operating costs and taxes.
A global goal set in Paris in 2015 to neutralise greenhouse gases and carbon emissions to an effective zero by 2050 and thereby reduce global warming to 1.5°C.
A company that exists for non-profit purposes and often for public benefit. This kind of company can be registered with the Department of Social Welfare as a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) which can apply for government funding and/or to obtain a fundraising number. It can also apply for Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) status which enables it to apply for a tax-exempt status from the South African Revenue Service and, if approved, donations made by donors are tax deductible. Income may not be distributed to members, incorporators or directors, other than to compensate them for their services and upon dissolution, the assets of the company must be ceded to another non-profit company with a similar goal.
These are amounts investors deposit in an account and if they want to withdraw, they have to give notice. The interest rates are higher than those on deposits which can be called at any time.
A stockbroker that allows you to open a stockbroking account and buy and sell shares or other securities online, typically at a lower cost than you would pay for using a human stockbroker whom you can call or visit.
A stockbroker that offers investors the ability to buy or sell shares or other securities through an online or internet-based platform.
A principle that applies to South African medical schemes and obliges them to admit either any member or any eligible member.
A scheme that must admit anyone.
The value you lose when selecting one option, as opposed to another.
In investing, an option gives you the right to buy or sell a security, such as a share, at a particular price at a future date. At the future date, you are not obliged to buy or sell if the price set in the contract price is not favourable – for example, if it is higher than what you can buy the share for in the market.
How your marriage is described if you and your spouse draw up an antenuptial agreement excluding from your marriage the assets you own when you marry. Assets built up during the marriage, are, however, shared equally.
How your marriage is described if you and your spouse agree not to share the assets you owned before you married as well as the assets you acquire during the marriage.
You are over-indebted if you are unable to make your debt repayments given your income, your prospects, obligations, and all your credit agreements.
Medicines you can buy from a pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription.
The work or job you can do. Some disability cover will cover you for an inability to do the work or job you currently do.
The work or job you can do, or any similar job that you could do. Some disability cover will cover you for an inability to do the work or job you currently do or any similar job or work.
An investment policy, such as a retirement annuity, is paid up when no further contributions will be made but the savings remain invested.
An investment loss that you have not realised as you have not sold an investment and it may still recover. It is only reflected on your investment statement.
The binding international treaty to limit global warming to below 2°C that was adopted by 196 parties in Paris in 2015 and entered into force in 2016.
A disability that leaves you able to work, but reduces your ability to function so you cannot perform as well as you did before.
Underwriting that involves only a few questions about your health and no medical tests.
An employer that participates in an umbrella retirement fund by signing up employees and contributing on their behalf.
A formal agreement between two or more parties (maximum 20) to operate a business. It can be formed between individual people or between individuals and a legal entity. Partners share in the profits and expenses of the business, and the terms are usually formalised in a Partnership Agreement.
Passively managed investments track an index. The fund manager makes no active selection of the securities or asset classes for the investment.
When you borrow money with a view of repaying the amount plus interest before a certain date. You provide an item of high value as security for the loan and if you are unable to repay in time, this item can be sold to settle your loan.
This is the income tax that is deducted by your employer from your salary, wages or bonus and paid over to the South African Revenue Service monthly.
A retirement fund that requires you to buy a pension with at least two-thirds of your savings at retirement.
An ongoing asset management fee that is not fixed but based on performance above a certain performance hurdle.
A disability from which you are unlikely to recover.
A private company that is mainly used by 'associations' of professionals such as lawyers, engineers and accountants. It is set up by a Memorandum of Incorporation and the name of the company ends in ‘Incorporated’. The directors (current and past) are responsible for the debts and taxes of the company.
A type of investment scam in which returns do not come through genuine profits; instead, existing investors are paid returns from the capital of subsequent investors. When new recruits dry up, the scheme collapses. Named after Charles Ponzi, Italian con artist (1882-1949)
Legal authorisation for another person to act on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself. This can include financial, property related and medical decisions.
A condition you had before you took out insurance or medical scheme membership.
Periods for which you are guaranteed a predetermined increase in your premiums. When the period expires, your premiums can be adjusted.
A benefit on a policy that allows you to skip one or more premiums without losing your cover.
A benefit that a scheme must provide by law, including cover for all emergencies, 271 life-altering conditions and 26 common chronic conditions.
A retirement fund into which you can transfer your savings from an employer-sponsored fund when you leave that employer, in order to preserve those savings until retirement. No new contributions are allowed but one withdrawal before retirement is allowed.
Benefits for screening tests to detect illnesses early and prevent them becoming more serious, for example, cholesterol screening, glucose tests, HIV screening tests, mammograms, pap smears, prostate cancer tests, bone density scans or glucose tests.
This ratio compares the share price to the value of a company reflected in its financial statements. The ratio is calculated by dividing a company’s market capitalisation by its book value. The book value is the company's assets less its liabilities as reflected on its balance sheet. The higher the ratio, the higher the premium above a company’s assets investors are willing to pay.
This ratio shows you how long it will take you to recover your investment in a share. It is calculated by dividing the price of a share by its annual dividend earnings per share.
Low-cost plans that, in return for a monthly premium, offer cover for day-to-day healthcare, such as visits to a general practitioner, dentist, optometrist, basic x-rays and blood tests as well as prescribed medicines. These plans may exclude cover for ongoing chronic conditions.
The share market on which a company’s shares were first listed.
A tax credit you enjoy each year to ensure you do not pay tax on income earned below the threshold or the income level from which tax applies.
The home in which you or your spouse ordinarily live and which is used mostly for domestic purposes. It must be owned by you as a natural person or by a special trust.
Shares in companies that are not listed on a stock exchange.
A separate legal entity with rights and duties of its own. It must be registered through the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and is a registered taxpayer in its own right. It has a life separate from its owners, who are the shareholders.
These are promises made by one person to another to pay a particular amount on demand or on a fixed date. They are accepted by banks in lieu of overdrafts and banks then sell them at a discount to investors who are paid the full amount on the maturity date.
A retirement fund that until March 2021 allowed you to take all your savings in cash at retirement. Contributions to the fund were previously not tax deductible, but became deductible from March 2016. Two-thirds of contributions made and growth on it since March 2021 must be used to buy an annuity or pension at retirement, subject to some exceptions.
A way of paying income tax on taxable income you earn. It obliges taxpayers to declare income and pay tax during the tax year instead of only on assessment at the end of the tax year. It applies to income on which tax is not withheld and paid over by an employer or pension provider.
A provisional taxpayer is any one who receives taxable income from which pay as you earn tax is not deducted. Provisional taxpayers earning rental or business income of more than R30 000 must declare their income and pay tax during the tax year instead of only doing so on assessment.
Shareholders vote by proxy at a company’s annual general meeting when they authorise another person or entity, such as an asset manager, to vote on their behalf.
A separate legal entity which has rights and duties of its own. It must be registered through the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and is a registered taxpayer. It is usually listed on a stock exchange like the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) where the company shares can be freely traded by members of the public. There will be additional governance requirements such as mandatory audits, numbers of directors and shareholders.
The issuance and sale of shares by a company on a stock exchange in order to raise capital.
The power of your money to buy goods and services. As inflation rises, the power of the rand or the dollar to buy goods and services is eroded.
The shares of company that is well-managed, has a good cash flow, a strong balance sheet and a competitive edge.
A hedge fund with fewer restrictions on borrowing or gearing and investments in private equity. These funds are only available to investors with R1 million to invest and an appreciation of the risks.
This ratio shows the ability of a business to pay off its current liabilities or debts using more liquid current assets – those assets the business can convert into cash within 90 days like cash in the bank, stock or accounts that should be paid within 90 days.
A share listed on the South African share market that earns profits from offshore operations in currencies other than the rand. As these profits are protected from depreciation in the rand against other currencies, they are referred to as rand hedges.
An investment in a physical thing that you own, such as property or gold coins.
You may need to rebalance to ensure you maintain diversification in your investments after market movements upset your allocations to asset classes or market sectors.
A period of reduced economic activity typically identified by a fall in gross domestic product for two successive quarters.
When a creditor gives you more credit than you can afford or grants credit without assessing whether you can afford the credit.
The rate at which your medical scheme reimburses doctors and other healthcare providers. Schemes reimburse at their own rates or multiples of them depending on the option. Providers may charge multiples of the scheme rates.
The rate at which the South African Reserve Bank lends money to the commercial banks. The banks lend on to consumers at rates based on the repurchase or repo rate.
A medical scheme must, in terms of the law, hold a certain amount of money in reserve in order to have enough to provide benefits when claims are high. South African medical schemes must hold 25% of members’ contribution income in reserve at all times.
You are defined as a resident (for tax purposes) of South Africa if this is the country to which you return after any trips and where you have your principal residence. You may be deemed to be a resident if you are physically in South Africa for a certain number of days in the current tax year and the five years before the current year (you meet the physical presence test requirements).
What is left in an estate after all debts, taxes, legacies and bequests have been paid.
Investment choices incorporating not only financial concerns, but also taking the social and environmental impact of the investment into account, to better manage risks and generate sustainable, long-term returns.
When you are in arrears on your home loan and you can’t pay the arrears in one lump sum, your creditor may be willing to add the arrears to the amount owing and charge you a higher monthly instalment. If you can afford the higher monthly instalment, this is preferable to a restructure, which increases the term of the loan and hence the amount due to your creditor.
A scheme with membership that is restricted to the employees of an employer, an industry or to members of a profession.
When a credit provider restructures your debt, your repayment term is extended so that your monthly instalment is reduced and made more affordable.
A hedge fund with that only borrows or gears the fund and invest in unlisted securities within regulated limits. These funds must publish their price daily or monthly and pay out withdrawals within a month.
A retirement fund whose membership is open to individuals who can contribute any amount above the minimum. Contributions are tax deductible but you cannot withdraw your savings before age 55 except under certain limited circumstances.
Factual information about the risks, costs and charges of an investment portfolio, your options to preserve your savings or your annuity options at retirement. Counselling is not advice.
A fund in which you invest for your retirement that is registered as a retirement fund with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority. Contributions are tax deductible and savings grow tax free.
What you get back when you invest – the money you make through interest, dividends and capital gains. A return is usually expressed as a percentage of the money you invested.
This is the net profit expressed as a percentage of the average value of a business’s assets and shows how efficiently the assets are used to generate profits.
The net profit expressed as a percentage of the shareholder capital invested in the business or the value of the shares issued. It shows how efficiently this capital is used to generate profits.
Your ability to take investment risk.
The level of investment risk you need to reach your investment goal.
Your preference for, or emotional ability to take, investment risk without being overly worried.
A robo-adviser provides automated financial advice based on a computer-based algorithm. Typically, robo-advisers recommend investments – often low-cost passively managed ones - based on how you answer questions about your investment needs and the investment risks you can tolerate and afford to take.
Rolling returns show you an average return for a particular period that begins anew each month or year between two points in time. You can see, for example, how an investment has performed over each five-year period within a 20-year period.
This is a public auction of a mortgaged property by the Sheriff of the Court. When your property sells on auction, you are liable for any shortfall – namely the difference between what the property is sold for and what is owed on the bond, plus interest and the costs incurred by the bank to sell the property at the sale in execution.
The practice of lending shares, bonds and other securities - likely to be held by an investment fund or portfolio for long periods - to other investors for a fee.
A notice issued under the National Credit Act that alerts you that you are in arrears, that you have certain options and limited time in which to exercise these options.
Owning the title to a section of a property scheme, such as a block of flats or a townhouse development or retirement village.
Securities are financial instruments like shares or bonds that can be traded on public exchanges or privately.
An endowment policy that is purchased from someone else.
The gap in medical scheme cover when you have depleted your medical savings account but do not yet qualify for above threshold benefits. This only applies to medical scheme options that offer above threshold benefits.
The risk of earning higher and lower returns in an order that disadvantages you, particularly when you are near retirement or drawing an income from investments.
A court order declaring you insolvent and appointing trustees to take control of your financial affairs, sell your assets and pay your debtors.
Insurance that pays out on the diagnosis of defined severe illnesses.
An investment in a company that gives you part ownership, can earn you a share of the profits distributed as dividends and can give you a capital gain if you sell the share at a higher price than the price you paid for it. Shares are also known as equities or stock.
A person or entity who holds shares in a company.
Investments that comply with the Islamic principles, or Shariah, that apply to financial transactions.
This index includes 99% of the shares on the JSE, but shares are weighted in line with amounts invested in listed companies through the JSE. Amounts held by shareholders in these companies on foreign exchanges are excluded.
A court official whose duty it is to serve or execute summonses, notices, warrants, orders and other documents issued by the court.
A low-cost investment that follows rules that ensure exposure to certain market factors that can deliver returns above those of the market.
Investment choices incorporating not only financial concerns, but also taking the social and environmental impact of the investment into account, to better manage risks and generate sustainable, long-term returns.
The simplest form of business entity where the business is owned and operated by one person who can keep all profits but also is responsible for all expenses in the business. There are no legal boundaries between the business owner and his/her assets.
A trust created exclusively for the benefit of a minor or someone who has a mental or physical disability and is unable to manage their own affairs.
To take short-term “bets” on assets such as shares or cryptocurrencies.
The entity that sets up a retirement fund – an employer in an employer-sponsored fund or financial institution or union in the case of an umbrella retirement fund.
A measure of the variation of returns from the average return and a measure of volatility in returns.
A forum that allows organized trading of shares or over-the-counter securities.
When share prices have been rising for an extended period and prices are above the value of the underlying companies.
A manager who specialises in researching and selecting individual shares.
An investment professional or entity registered to trade on a share market and who can buy and sell shares on your behalf as well as offer advice on what shares to buy and when. A stockbroker earns a commission on your trade or transaction.
A fixed allocation to different asset classes to which a manager will regularly align a portfolio. The allocation is typically chosen to target a level of returns at a set level of risk.
A fund within an umbrella fund for the members of an individual employer.
An Islamic asset class similar to a bond that is backed by a tangible asset such as property.
This can be handed down in an application to court if the court agrees that the defendant has no genuine defence. The matter does not proceed to a hearing and the judgment is issued summarily.
A summons sets out the specifics of the case or claim that your creditor has against you, the debtor. You have 10 business days to state whether or not you plan to defend the matter.
An agreement or guarantee to repay a debt if a lender defaults.
A period that you must survive after you claim – typically for a severe illness or disability benefit – before the insurer will pay. The aim is to ensure the benefit is for someone who survives and is not a death benefit.
Investing with a focus on ensuring the sustainability of businesses by measuring environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors.
Asset allocation decisions to deviate from the regular asset allocation of the portfolio to take advantage of market conditions.
A task force created by the international Financial Stability Board to develop standardised climate-related financial risk disclosures for companies, banks and investors.
The percentage of any capital gains you made in any tax year that must be included for tax, less the annual capital gains tax exclusion.
A benefit, such as free accommodation or medical scheme contributions, that are provided by an employer to an employee or contractor, that is taxable under the Income Tax Act. The value of this benefit must be added to your income and taxed.
Your total or gross income less any income that is exempt from tax (for example, interest earned that is below the interest exemption) and less any amounts you can claim as deductions (for example, contributions to retirement funds). Your taxable income includes any taxable capital gains.
An amount you become entitled to that reduces the tax you owe the tax authority.
A tax-free savings account is a bank or investment account that allows you to grow your money without paying tax on the interest, dividends or capital gains.
A reduction of tax calculated when the tax tables are applied in order to ensure you do not pay tax on income that is below the tax threshold – the income limit below which you do not pay tax.
The level of income you can earn before you become liable for income tax.
A disability from which you will recover.
A trust set up in your will, typically to hold assets you leave to your heirs and to administer these for their benefit.
A man who draws up a will.
A woman who draws up a will.
The limit on the increase in global temperatures required by the end of this century in order to stave off the worst natural disasters that global warming could bring.
The 17 goals for global peace and prosperity adopted by the United Nations in 2015. Each goal can be classified as one of the ESG factors.
Investing with a theme such as climate change.
Investing in shares or other securities in line with an economic trend or investment theme that is expected to deliver good returns over time.
A tied agent is an advisor who is employed by a company that provides investment and/or insurance products and can typically only recommend those products to you, or products approved by the company that complement its range.
Benefits paid on a severe illness policy at can be paid at less than 100% of the insured benefit, depending on the severity of your illness.
The document that proves property ownership after the property has been transferred into your name.
Allocating to different sectors, parts of the economy or regions likely to do well and then choosing individual shares or other securities within those.
This is a measure of costs in an investment fund or portfolio that shows the percentage of the fund or portfolio value that is paid in costs on an annual basis.
This is a total of all expenses in a portfolio expressed as a percentage. It includes the costs of trading (the transaction costs) and the total expense ratio – the asset management fees as well as costs such as custody, audit and bank fees.
The tracking error measures the accuracy with which an investment or fund tracks or replicates an index. Most funds have a tracking error as a result of costs and cash held to pay investors who wish to withdraw.
These are the costs incurred to buy and sell the underlying assets in an investment fund or portfolio
These are short-term loans to the government. They are issued for different periods usually between 91 days and 182 days. They are sold at a discount to the value paid out at maturity.
A detailed plan for the treatment of a medical condition that may not be less than what you are entitled to in state hospital or clinic.
A legal arrangement in which assets are held by a trustee or group of trustees for the benefit of the trust’s beneficiaries.
The company that holds the assets of a unit trust fund in safe custody.
A simplified system that replaces income tax, provisional tax, capital gains tax and dividends tax for micro businesses (sole proprietors, partnerships, companies and close corporations) with a qualifying annual turnover of R 1 million or less.
An umbrella retirement fund is a retirement fund for the employees of more than one employer. It may be a commercial fund set up by an insurer or retirement fund administrator or a fund catering for the employees of employers participating in a bargaining council, in a union or in an industry.
A group life scheme that is not part of an approved retirement fund but where the company owns the policy and pays the premiums.
The process an insurer uses to assess the risk of insuring you or your goods.
The government fund to which employees must contribute and from which you can claim short-term benefits if you became unemployed, or are unable to work due to illness or maternity leave. Your employer pays 1% of your salary, and you another 1%, which is deducted and paid to the fund each month.
An investment in which you pool your money with that of other investors and which is managed by experienced fund managers who select a range of a range of assets such as shares, bonds, property shares, cash instruments or even physical property.
A healthcare system that gives everyone access to quality health services for all their needs without financial hardship.
A loan that is not secured against any of your assets. As these loans are more risky than secured loans against your home or car, you are likely to pay a higher interest rate.
The price of a security, such as a share, relative to its expected or historical earnings. If the price of the share rises without its earnings rising, it will have a high valuation.
Investing in shares with a focus on the price relative to expected future earnings.
Investing in shares that are valued on a stock market at a price lower than the break up value of the company – the value of its assets or parts.
A share of companies that is trading at a price on the market that is lower than the value of the company.
Investments made into shares in start-up businesses that are likely to grow quickly and realise a profit for the venture capitalists in five to seven years.
A measure of how volatile the price of a financial instrument or market is – how much it moves up and down over time.
An annuity or monthly pension you buy for a set period with the cash lump sum from your retirement that you are not obliged to use to buy an annuity, or with any other cash sum you have. The capital that is repaid to you is exempt from tax and you only pay tax on the portion of the annuity which is paid from the growth on your capital.
A period during which you cannot claim on a policy or from a medical scheme for all or certain benefits.
The court document that authorises the Sheriff of the Court to collect your assets to sell them to pay your debt.
This is a guaranteed annuity or pension with annual increases based on the performance of an investment portfolio. The income will never decrease, but the increases in it will change each year.
A will is a legal document that directs what should happen to your money, investments, property and other valuables when you die.
The income you can earn as a percentage of the price of a financial instrument such as a bond.
The yield curve is a graph that shows the interest rates for short-term debt instruments, like negotiable certificates of deposit, relative to those for long-term instruments such as 30-year bonds.
If long-term rates are higher than short-term ones, the yield curve is described as positive (it slopes upwards), but if long-term rates are lower than short-term rates the yield curve is said to be negative (it slopes down).
