Question:
Can I surrender my retirement annuity? Which steps do I follow? How long will it take? Who do I contact?
Answer:
Pam,
No, you cannot cash in your retirement annuity unless your value is less than R7 000, or you are emigrating, or you have officially retired early due to ill-health. Otherwise you have to wait until you turn 55, and unless your retirement annuity value is less than R75 000 (R150 0000 from 1 March 2015), you will have to use two-thirds to buy an annuity. You can make your retirement annuity paid-up (stop contributing) but you may then incur an early termination charge.