Celebrating a quarter century of representation and transformation in the industry the event convenes under the theme "Facing Retirement and Saving Planning - Good Governance and Reforms." It is aimed at building a strong foundation for observing good governance across savings, financial advice and the preservation of benefits in order to ensure that members of retirement funds retire comfortably.
The IRF has been the strongest lobby group in the retirement industry differing from all other bodies in its representation of a broad variety of stakeholders spanning retirement funds, service providers and product providers. Top speakers include the keynote address from the Minister of Finance, regulatory challenges covered by Dube Tshidi, Registrar of Pension Funds (FSB), and Pension Funds Adjudicator, Muvhango Lukhaimane.
The new board will focus on an information-sharing format, in a bid to create healthy debate and conversation, and ensure best practices within the retirement industry, while engaging with the National Treasury and the Regulator in shaping the future for members of retirement funds.
The afternoon sessions on Monday, 19 August include interactive workshops 'Implication of pension reform on members of retirement funds and their dependants', 'Understanding new legislation for the retirement fund industry' and 'Bringing the changes: Broadening the vision and knowledge within the retirement fund industry'. The first day of the conference will close-off with a gala dinner where winners of the Best Practice Industry Awards will be announced and honoured for good performance on managing their respective retirement funds.
A panel discussion on Tuesday is facilitated by Bruce Cameron - 'Exploring a comprehensive social security system in South Africa'. There will be also see two projects launched: The Trustee Development and Support Programme, and the enhancement of members marketing through the introduction of an event website.
The conference boasts over 1 000 delegates with speakers and attendees from South Africa and neighbouring countries. There are more than 70 international guests from Botswana, Zambia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. The board of directors of the IRF will be having a meeting with the international delegates and discuss a process of building a relationship and exchanging programmes with them in advancing the best interest of members of the retirement funds in Africa.
