Editor's Thoughts.

So we wake up today with a sense of optimism given the peace deal reached between the US and Iran. While the negotiations involve nuclear weapons and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, the big question I have is when can we reasonably expect petrol prices to come down?

Speaking of a soft landing, Riaan Botha (Simeka Consultants & Actuaries) takes us into the “retirement control room”, showing how levers like contribution rate, preservation and, especially, retirement age all work together to decide whether your retirement plane lands smoothly or runs out of runway. Lize de la Harpe (Sanlam) then zooms in on what happens after someone passes away, explaining a key court case that makes it clear: funds can’t just default to paying death benefits into an estate without doing the hard work of finding and protecting dependants first. This is a key discussion point that we will be unpacking in this morning’s 9am webinar with Fairheads Benefit Services. There is still space for you to join us – register here.

Giving you another reason to feel optimistic, today’s episode of Inside Private Markets celebrates some good news stories in South African private equity and infrastructure – the kind of behind‑the‑scenes projects that create jobs, build assets and quietly move the country forward when capital, governance and purpose all pull in the same direction. And answers your question: Can I earn competitive returns while doing good with my own and my member’s/client’s money?

And finally as we celebrate South Africa’s youth, Adv John Simpson (FAIS Ombud) talks directly to young South Africans about something we don’t always think about – whether your adviser or finance app is actually licensed, and what recourse you have if the advice goes wrong. And Matiisetso Madito (Experian) adds another Youth Month twist: many 20‑somethings aren’t over-indebted, they’re “credit invisible”, shut out of the system just when they’re trying to get started. (At some point I need to share what my daughter told me the other day about how difficult it is being a millennial.)

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