Editor's Thoughts.

Benefits only matter if people can actually use them. In today’s articles, Zandile Monnakgotla (Essential Employee Benefits) makes the case for employers to move beyond impressive looking packages and focus on affordability, flexibility and real life usage across different income groups.

I want to unpack that word affordability a little more. In tomorrow’s 9am webinar we’ll be talking fees from a variety of perspectives. Sanchia Petrie (FSCA) will share more about their Value for Money Framework ideas, Subedra Reddy (NBC) will reveal how different fee structures play out over time and Henry Dul, Independent Trustee, will talk to trustees’/manco’s fiduciary duties when it comes to fees and charges. What questions should we be asking of service providers? There’s still space for you – register here.

But, in my (always) humble opinion, what about affordability from the perspective of the household’s purse? I asked AI yesterday what the most important and misunderstood concept in personal financial planning, or financial literacy, is. The answer: cash flow. Understanding how and why money moves in and, more importantly, out of an individual’s wallet. That gives us a clue on how we structure meaningful benefits that work not only together, but also for the person they were designed for. Today’s episode of Beyond Benefits informs this conversation more. It’s a great discussion with the experts from Life Healthcare and Alexforbes on solving the 3 dimensional rubix cube of benefits. Do yourself a favour, grab a cuppa and have a listen.

And then consider: How does AI change the narrative? Tal Gilbert (YuLife) shares his thoughts, together with some of their research and findings.

Speaking of affordability, Izak Odendaal (Old Mutual Wealth) talks to the context in which the SARB is making their decision on interest rates tomorrow. With a household purse stretched thin already, I know what I’m hoping for. 🤞

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