Question:
I would like to know that when my retirement annuity pays out when I'm 55 and the amount is plus minus R100 000, can I take the retirement annuity pay-out as a lump sum or will I have to buy a living annuity? The monthly pension payment will definitely be very little. Lize
Answer:
Lize,
The rule is that you need to use two-thirds of your retirement annuity value to purchase an annuity (living or guaranteed), unless the retirement annuity value is less than R75 000, in which case you can then take the whole amount as cash. With effect from 1 March 2015, the R75 000 cap will be increased to R150 000, so if you delay cashing in your retirement annuity until then, you will be able to take the full proceeds as cash.