Save, grow and preserve your wealth for retirement

Whether you're building for retirement or preserving what you've already earned, ETFSA has a low-cost, ETF-driven retirement solution that makes sure you’re looking after your future self.

Why manage your retirement savings through ETFSA?

Whether you’re actively building your retirement savings or preserving accumulated funds after a career move, ETFSA provides a seamless, low-cost ETF solution at every stage. ETFSA offers Retirement Annuities (RAs) and Preservation Funds that share the same investment philosophy, the same Regulation 28-compliant ETF portfolios, and the same commitment to transparent, unbiased advice.

Build

Make regular or once-off contributions to your RA and grow your retirement savings over time.

Preserve

Keep your accumulated pension or provident savings invested and protected when you change employers.

Grow

Both products invest in low-cost, Regulation 28-compliant ETF portfolios — your money goes to growth, not fees.

Benefit

Enjoy the tax deductions and compounding advantages associated with regulated retirement products.

No mysteries

Transparent, easy-to-understand fees and no performance fees — across both products.

Expert advice

Our unbiased ETFSA advisors are committed to helping you make the right decisions for your future.

Why use it?

By pairing the tax advantages and regulatory protection of ETFSA’s retirement products with the low cost and transparency of ETF investing, you get a retirement solution designed to grow your wealth, not erode it with fees.

What is a Retirement Annuity (RA)?

A retirement annuity is a smart, tax-efficient way to save for your future. Your contributions are tax-deductible, and the power of compounding means your money doesn't just sit there. It grows, building long-term wealth so you can retire with confidence.

What is a Preservation Fund?

A preservation fund is a tax-efficient way to keep your retirement savings growing when you change jobs. Instead of cashing out, your money stays invested, and the power of compounding continues to build long-term wealth on your behalf.

Build the retirement you deserve

Preservation Fund

Leaving a job doesn't mean leaving your retirement savings behind. The ETFSA Preservation Fund accepts lump-sum transfers from your pension or provident fund, giving your savings a secure, low-cost home until you're ready to retire. Choose to invest across any of our six Regulation 28-compliant ETF portfolios, and consolidate existing preservation balances from other administrators into one simple, transparent solution.

Personal RA

Dive into our wealth of information about retirement annuities: how they work, the pros and cons, and the important questions you should ask when investing in them.

Personal RA: 2- Pot System

The two-pot retirement system is a series of changes that the South African government is implementing to help people access a portion of their retirement funds early if they need to. The system will be implemented from 1 September 2024, and the changes apply to all retirement funds: pension funds, provident, retirement annuities and preservation funds.

Business RA

The ETFSA RA is also available as a group option to small and medium size businesses.

Six portfolios. One consistent investment philosophy.

Both the ETFSA RA and the Preservation Fund invest in the same six Regulation 28-compliant ETF portfolios, giving you low-cost, transparent, passive investing at every stage of your retirement journey. Each portfolio offers a different balance between stability and growth, so you can choose the one that matches your risk appetite and retirement timeline.

ETFSA RA Brochure

The ETFSA RA uses Exchange Traded Products (ETFs and ETNs) – as the underlying Investments

ETFSA RA Wealth Protector Portfolio (Cash)

The ETFSA RA Wealth Protector Portfolio offers a cash-only investment of the highest credit quality for risk averse members who do not want to carry the risk of a capital loss, especially as they near retirement.

ETFSA RA Wealth Conservator Portfolio (Income – Low Risk)

The ETFSA RA Wealth Conservator Portfolio prioritises income generation from a broad range of sources – interest, dividends and other distributions, both domestic and global – offering a lower risk solution for members.

ETFSA RA Wealth Builder Portfolio (Balanced – Medium Risk)

The ETFSA RA Wealth Builder Portfolio offers broadly diversified exposure to a comprehensive range of asset classes, investment styles and geographies with no preference given to near term relative value differentials.

ETFSA RA Wealth Default Portfolio (Strategic Asset Allocation Benchmark – Moderate Risk)

As the default member option, the ETFSA RA Wealth Default Portfolio offers a static strategic asset allocation with a moderate risk profile, into a limited range of broad asset class ETFs.

ETFSA RA Wealth Enhancer Portfolio (Balanced – High Risk)

The ETFSA RA Wealth Enhancer Portfolio offers members the opportunity to achieve capital growth over a long-term investment horizon (at least 10 years) but require a high tolerance for risk (short term volatility).

ETFSA Wealth Velocity Portfolio (High Growth - High Risk)

The ETFSA RA Wealth Velocity Portfolio aims to maximise allowable allocations to growth assets within the parameters of Regulation 28, allowing up to 90% in growth assets, including exposure to property. The portfolio is designed for investors with a longer time horizon (greater than 10 years) and a relatively high risk tolerance.

ETFSA RA Portfolio Holdings

Latest holdings and portfolio breakdown.

Retirement Annuity

What does it cost?

*Our aggregate fee excludes the underlying issuer charges but includes trading costs.

Fee charged by the Retirement Fund
0.87% (incl. VAT)
Portfolio 
management
0.25% (ex. VAT)*

Preservation Fund

What does it cost?

*Our aggregate fee excludes the underlying issuer charges.

Fee charged by the Preservation Fund
0.35% (ex. VAT)
Portfolio 
management and advice
0.6% p.a. (ex. VAT)

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Introducing

The ETFSA Oyster Global Balanced Prescient AMETF

A globally diversified, 100% offshore multi-asset fund that brings global markets to South African-based investors.