Editor's Thoughts.

Today is decision day at the SARB, with the Monetary Policy Committee set to announce whether the repo rate stays at 7%. It’s a coin toss, with high oil prices and global rate pressure on one side, and softer inflation expectations still giving the Bank a reasonable case to hold on the other. I’m sad to say that, at this stage, markets and economists are leaning towards a 0.25% hike. Either way, the tone of Governor Lesetja Kganyago’s message will matter just as much as the number.

Why does it matter for our retirement fund members, investors and our own pockets? Well, an interest rate hike will level up the already alarming debt stats. With many South Africans now struggling with debt, it’s important to understand the options and protections out there. In today’s episode of Industry Insights, EBnet.Stream chats to René Moonsamy, the Chairperson of the National Debt Counsellors Association, about working with debt – including the process of debt review. Please share this important conversation with your employees, friends and family to let them know that there is help out there.

Also on EBnet today, Lebogang Mogashoa (Pension Funds Adjudicator) reminds that retirement fund trustees can’t outsource judgement and discretion to an actuarial sum. When a death benefit is allocated, every dependant’s real circumstances must be investigated and the decision properly explained.

And on the personal financial planning side, Jainal Narsai (Alexforbes) takes the Wills Month conversation online: a signed will is only the start. Can your executor find it and do they know about your cloud accounts, social-media profiles and digital wallets? And Imraan Jakoet (Graviton) asks a timely offshore investment question. The R2 million annual discretionary allowance offers flexibility, but sending money abroad should serve a genuine goal, not a guess about the rand.

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