When it comes to investing, it becomes easy to get lost in the numbers game, the interest you earn, the ups and downs of the economy and how it plays its role. But have you ever considered what will happen to your investment when you die? According to Jaco Prinsloo, certified financial planner at Alexforbes, financial planning regarding the succession of investments is rarely carried out, at least in South Africa.
"As a result, potential heirs are often not sure what to do or where to start to claim and settle a loved one's investments. In many cases, the family is unaware of the existence of an investment portfolio. With succession planning, the transfer of assets (whether property, your bank accounts, cars or investments) is facilitated.
So how to plan for succession?
"The first step is to talk to your family members about your investments and the administrator of these investments. Secondly, you can create an organised folder with all the documentation of your investments, policies, copy of your will and personal documents like your ID and bank statements. Your family does not need to know the value of the investments, but the knowledge of the investments and where to find all your important documents will make it easier for them to start the claim process," said Prinsloo.
Speak to a certified financial planner for advice on your beneficiary nominations and to formalise your wishes in a document, thus setting up a will.
Prinsloo looks at the different types of investments and how the assets and proceeds get distributed:
Discretionary investments
Discretionary investments are any investments you make at your discretion with after-tax money. Discretionary investments include:
- Unit trusts
- Money market accounts
- Fixed deposits
- South African retail bonds
- Share portfolios
- Tax-free savings accounts
These investments will form part of your estate and will be subject to estate duty and executor's fees. However, although a tax-free savings account forms part of your estate, no executor's fees are payable. The proceeds from the investments will be distributed, according to your will, to your nominated beneficiaries after your estate has been settled. Because these investments form part of your estate, the investments will be "frozen", and no transaction or changes can be made to the investments until the proceeds are paid to the estate.
Investment and life policies
Life insurance is a contract where you agree to pay premiums to keep your life cover active. When you die, the life insurance company will pay the life cover benefit directly to your nominated beneficiaries, which can be a person or your estate. You also get investment policies like living annuities and endowment policies where the investment value pays to the nominated beneficiaries on your death. One benefit of investment and life policies is that it does not form part of your estate, which means no estate duty and the proceeds get paid directly to your nominated beneficiaries, giving them access to cash while they wait for the estate to be wound up - making it an essential part of anyone's overall financial plan.
Compulsory investments
Compulsory investments are investments that are mandatory with some employers. Working for some companies, you might be required to be part of a provident or pension fund as part of your employment contract. Compulsory investments might also offer some tax benefits, but investors have limited access to their money, and these investments are governed by Regulation 28, stipulating where and how you can invest. Compulsory investments can be summarised as "retirement funds" and include:
- Pension fund
- Provident fund
- Retirement annuity fund
- Preservation funds
The proceeds from retirement funds are distributed as per Section 37C of the Pension Fund Act. This means the fund's trustees will use their discretion to distribute the proceeds of your retirement savings to ensure all dependants and beneficiaries receive equal and fair benefits. Belonging to a retirement fund, you will be required to nominate beneficiaries. Still, it's important to remember the beneficiary nomination is seen as a guide to the trustees or a "wishlist", and the ultimate decision on how the benefits get distributed lies with the trustees of the fund.
As shown below, it is important to keep your will and nominated beneficiaries updated on your policies and retirement funds.
Questions may be edited for brevity and clarity.
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