Sanlam Umbrella Fund Consultant Toolkit
This monthly toolkit is a communication channel between the Sanlam Umbrella Fund trustees, the Fund’s Administrator and supporting intermediaries. It contains all Fund related information and updates that intermediaries will require.
Quick links
Fund updates
2026 Administration Fee & Premium Revision Date Moves to August
The annual revision date for administration fees and insurance premiums will change to 1 August 2026 for the Sanlam Umbrella Funds and Sanlam Unity Umbrella Fund. This change avoids holiday season disruptions, ensuring smoother client engagement. Current administration fees and premiums remain unchanged until the new revision date.
Comprehensive Critical Illness Benefit now covered by ABSA Life
The Comprehensive Critical Illness Benefit is now available via ABSA Life, as well, offering greater flexibility for employers. View the updated policy and disclosure documents, effective 1 October 2025, for full details.
SIM Moderate Absolute Fund to Be Replaced by SMM Moderate Absolute Fund in 2026
The SIM Moderate Absolute Fund will be replaced by the SMM Moderate Absolute Fund in February 2026. This change follows a performance review, with the SMM Moderate Absolute Fund consistently outperforming its predecessor. Members must select alternatives by 31 January 2026 or be switched automatically.
New Horizons in Retirement: Insights from the 2025 Sanlam Umbrella Fund Symposium
The 2025 Sanlam Umbrella Fund Symposium offered financial professionals’ strategic guidance on retirement funding in a changing economy. Speakers addressed diversification, risk management and ESG investing for umbrella fund members. The event highlighted actionable steps to navigate uncertainty and build stronger retirement outcomes.
Industry updates
Partnering for a Safer Financial Future: Understanding Customer Due Diligence
As a valued client of Sanlam, we want to explain Customer Due Diligence (CDD), a process mandated by FICA, which involves identifying and verifying client identities to prevent financial crime and foster a secure financial environment.
Retirement at 80: Sanlam Panel Tackles South Africa’s Financial Future
At the 2025 Sanlam Corporate Leaders’ Breakfast, experts discussed the Age of Confidence research revealing South Africans can only afford to retire at 80. The panel explored the retirement gap, future of work, and ways to improve financial outcomes.
Recent Adjudicator Ruling Reinforces Compliance with Section 37D When Withholding Pension Benefits
A recent determination by the Pension Funds Adjudicator underscores the necessity for retirement funds to act within the constraints of Section 37D of the Pension Funds Act when withholding benefits at an employer’s request. In the case of A Buys v Sentraal Suid Aftree Fonds, the Adjudicator ruled that a fund improperly withheld a member’s withdrawal benefit based solely on an employer’s allegations and a criminal investigation, without a civil judgment or admission of liability. This ruling reaffirms that funds must exercise discretion carefully, act impartially, and ensure that withholding benefits is legally justified to avoid undue prejudice to members.
Umbrella Fund Masterclass with Independent Trustee Jolly Mokorosi
In a recent Umbrella Fund Master Class on Asset TV South Africa, Jolly Mokorosi, Independent Trustee of the Sanlam Umbrella Fund, joins host Mosidi Modise and industry peers to explore emerging trends and themes surrounding two-pot withdrawals—and much more.
