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Every week brings another headline about financial risk. In September, Old Mutual's latest Savings & Investment Monitor reported that more than half of South African retirees fear rising living costs more than any market event. It's hardly surprising - groceries, electricity, rates, medical aid and even a simple lunch out have all crept up faster than pensions. These are real concerns. But after years of working with retirees, I've come to believe that one of the biggest risks to a successful retirement is far less obvious.

One of the benefits of being in the financial services industry for 43 years is that I can look back, as a participant, to the impact that legislation has had on our industry. Nowhere is that impact more visible — or more personal for so many South Africans — than in medical aid.

From Rosettenville to Ndlambe: How the professionalization of politics and the death of accountability turned public service into a corporate enterprise.

While the government was "punting" the then-new Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) with its modest monthly limits, it was penalising a massive, over-taxed industry that was doing the real heavy lifting for South African savers.

What is a Basic income grant? A Universal Basic Income Grant (BIG) is a fixed sum paid monthly by a government to every citizen and legal permanent residents over the age of 18. It is unconditional, the means test is done away with, no unemployment requirement, A billionaire and the unemployed school-leaver both receive the same monthly payment.

An article on how poor education outcomes and lack of work experience drive South Africa’s unemployment crisis.

Competition makes capitalism work. It pushes businesses to improve and cut prices. Rules and the press help prevent abuse.

The article contrasts investing and speculation. Investing builds wealth slowly; speculation seeks quick gains. It recommends investing for long-term goals.