2025-06
Benchtest 05.2025 – Has Regulation 13(5) delivered? The FIMA restarted; Retirement v resignation and more...
2025-05
Benchtest 04.2025 – The FIMA restarted; building a versatile and resilient fund and more...
2025-04
Benchtest 03.2025 – FIMA restarted; RBS for Namibia; heads-up on overregulation, and more...
2025-03
Benchtest 02.2025 – The FIMA restarted. What does fit and proper mean? And more...
2025-02
Benchtest 01.2025 – squandering of pension money, a new start of the FIMA, survey outcome and more...
2025-01
Benchtest 12.2024 – tax-free investments, a new start of the FIMA and more...
2024-12
Benchtest 11.2024 – year-end-message from the managing director, cybersecurity in Namibia and more...
2024-11
Benchtest 10.2024 – guiding investors through uncertain times, familiarity risk and your administrator and more...
2024-10
Benchtest 09.2024 – it is not easy doing business in Namibia, is the old age grant taxable, and more...
2024-09
Benchtest 08.2024 – RFS celebrates 25 years, FIMA’s best practice questioned, 11 predictions that came true and more...
2024-08
Benchtest 07.2024 – Navigating investment decisions, S37C and death benefits, the NPF and more...
2024-07
Benchtest 06.2024 – S37A does not deal with the benefit build-up, funds fail to pay benefits, Namibia should vie for millionaires and more...
2024-06
Benchtest 05.2024 – making hay, the NPF looms, planning your retirement, housing loan risks, unpaid contributions in multi-employer funds and more...
2024-05
Benchtest 04.2024, the emerging global conflict and Africa, housing loans, the value of the Rand and more...
2024-04
Benchtest 03.2024 – the resource curse, rule amendments without tax approval, risk benefits and PI cover and more...
2024-03
Benchtest 02.2024 – offsetting housing loan debt, do we need the ILO for our NPF, new PFA regulations and more...
2024-02
Benchtest 01.2024 – we need a competing global financial system, risk management, housing loans and co-owners, and more...
2024-01
Benchtest 12.2023 – another great war looming, employer arranged death benefits and more...
2023-12
Benchtest 11.2023 – rotation of underwriters, trustee expenses and more...
2023-11
Benchtest 10.2023, ethics in governance, tax rulings create legitimate expectations, and more...
2023-10
Benchtest 09.2023 – best practice for retirement savings, provident fund tax loophole and more...
2023-09
Benchtest 08.2023 – the future of pension fund administration and more...
2023-08
Benchtest 07.2023 – is RFS really inflexible, the ILO’s NPF Model, Facebook censored in Namibia and more...
2023-07
Benchtest 06.2023 – direct vs indirect loans, the Consumer Credit Bill and loans, and more...
2023-06
Benchtest 05.2023 – Is China back in vogue, changes to FIMA standards, the Minister’s FIMA committee, and more...
2023-05
Benchtest 04.2023 – the National Pension Fund, FIMA standards’ changes, unpaid contributions, and more...
2023-04
Benchtest 03.2023 – FIMA consultation feedback, the less I know, the better and more...
2023-03
Benchtest 02.2023 – additional voluntary contributions, changes to FIMA standards, Trust Moneys Protection Act and more...
2023-02
Benchtest 01.2023 – What is a service worth to you? Insurance policies and the ITA and more...
2023-01
Benchtest 12.2022 – Access to Information Act, other relevant law amendments, and more...
2022-12
Benchtest 11.2022 – end-of-year message to RFS stakeholder, the FIMA goes back to parliament, and more...
2022-11
Benchtest 10.2022 – NAC findings on administrators, tax directives on death benefits and more...
2022-10
Benchtest 09.2022, RFS logo and name change unveiled, RA’s vs retirement funds, and more...
2022-09
Benchtest 08.2022 – FIMA and costs, disability benefits and tax, and more...
2022-08
Benchtest 07.2022 – Will employers discard retirement funds? An industry in legal jeopardy and more...
2022-07
Benchtest 06.2022, BRF’s new P.O., FIMA and law making in Namibia and more...
2022-06
Benchtest 05.2022, FIMA changes, late payment interest, governance and more...
2022-05
Benchtest 04.2022, PFA vs FIMA; legislating around parliament; where are the employers? And more...
2022-04
Benchtest 03.2022, compulsory preservation; the less I know, the better? And more...
2022-03
Benchtest 02.2022, RFS’ fees are fair and transparent, Minister’s last chance on FIMA consequences and more...
2022-02
Benchtest 01.2022, expropriation of umbrella fund sponsors, don’t over-insure, trustee fees, and more...
2022-01
Benchtest 12.2021, Income Tax, VAT amendments, umbrella funds and regulatory intervention and more...
2021-12
Benchtest 11.2021, MD year-end message, NAMFISA bombshell, and more...
2021-11
Benchtest 10.2021, transition to FIMA, no risk benefits under FIMA, brokers outlawed under FIMA and more...
2021-10
Benchtest 09.2021, not being top performer, joining another fund under FIMA and more...
2021-09
Benchtest 08.2021, impact of FIMA on fund transfer, insuring risk benefits and more...
2021-08
Benchtest 07.2021, FIMA and independence and more...
2021-07
Benchtest 06.2021, the state of employers’ funds, the Benchmark Default Portfolio’s performance, and more...
2021-06
Benchtest 05.2021, rapidly rising inflation, which FIMA was approved, and more...
2021-05
Benchtest 04.2021, FIMA and risk benefits, FIMA and the Income Tax Act and more...
2021-04
Benchtest 03.2021, Namibia to learn from changes to SA reg 28, Namibia needs ‘thriving private sector’ and more...
2021-03
Benchtest 02.2021, the demise of fund backed housing loans, survivor benefits from other funds and more...
2021-02
Benchtest 01.2021, Fiscus will forego N$ 640 million p.a., plans to nationalise pensions industry and more...
2021-01
Benchtest 12.2020, the purpose of a pension fund, FIMA and hybrid funds and more...
2020-12
Benchtest 11.2020, MD’s year-end message, the future of stand-alone funds and more...
2020-11
Benchtest 10.2020, pension funds industry in sorry state, the future of stand-alone funds and more...
2020-10
Benchtest 09.2020, COVID to save the world, circumventing Reg. 13 and more...
2020-09
Benchtest 08.2020, Digital Webinars on FIMA, Digital Benchmark AGM and more...
2020-08
Benchtest 07.2020, RFS celebrates, penalties and fines under FIM Act and more...
2020-07
Benchtest 06.2020, reassurance on Covid-19, S14 transfers and more...
2020-06
Benchtest 05.2020, chairperson affidavit impractical and more...
2020-05
Benchtest 04.2020, provident funds – a time to change and more...
2020-04
Benchtest 03.2020, Corona relief measures, ITAS matters and more...
2020-03
Benchtest 02.2020, Corona alias Covid 19, FIM Bill passed through parliament and more...
2020-02
Benchtest 01.2020, Electronic Transactions Act summarised and more...
2020-01
Benchtest 12.2019, the back door in the FIM Bill and more...
2019-12
Benchtest 11.2019, year end message, reckless trading, GIPF too large to fail, fishrot and more...
2019-11
Benchtest 10.2019, disabled members and retirement and more...
2019-10
Benchtest 09.2019, prescribed assets are blatant theft of pensions and more...
2019-09
Benchtest 08.2019, IMF report, provident funds and the IT Act, Benchmark member meeting and more...
2019-08
Benchtest 07.2019, 20 years of RFS, minors to be expropriated, tax and annuities and more...
2019-07
Benchtest 06.2019, National Pension Fund Part 7, FIM Bill and Income Tax Act challenges and more...
2019-06
Benchtest 05.2019, National Pension Fund Part 6, treating your customers fairly and more...
2019-05
Benchtest 04.2019, National Pension Fund Part 5, pension fund vs insurance policy investment and more...
2019-04
Benchtest 03.2019, National Pension Fund Part 4, Namibia's debt metrics and more...
2019-03
Benchtest 02.2019, National Pension Fund 3, Proportionate Supervision, COEs and more...
2019-02
Benchtest 01.2019, Administration of Estates, National Pension Fund 2, the CoA Return and more...
2019-01
Benchtest 12.2018, the National Pension Fund, FIM Bill concerns, new CoA report, Admin of Estates Act and more...
2018-12
Benchtest 11.2018, season's greetings, comments on IT Act changes, Prescription Acts and unclaimed benefits and more...
2018-11
Benchtest 10.2018, Government should lead by example, smoothing investments returns and more...
2018-10
Benchtest 09.2018, the role of RFIN, cost of regulation, powers of the regulator, impact of investment regulations and more...
2018-09
Benchtest 08.2018, a special edition devoted to the FIM Bill and other developments threatening the survival of the pensions industry...
2018-08
Benchtest 07.2018, message from Managing Director, pension or provident fund, risks of dismissal, conferences and more...
2018-07
Benchtest 06.2018, are we ready for the FIM Act, RF.S.5.20, RF.S.5.22 and RF.S.5.23 analysed and more...
2018-06
Benchtest 05.2018, change of guard at RFS, Telecom vs CRAN, RF.S.5.18 and RF.S.5.19 analysed and more...
2018-05
Benchtest 04.2018, s14 and unclaimed benefits, levies on long-term insurers, RF.S.5.14 and RF.S.5.15 analysed and more...
2018-04
Benchtest 03.2018, trustee term of office, RF.S.5.12 and RF.S.5.13 analysed and more...
2018-03
Benchtest 02.2018, new FIM regulations analysed and more...
2018-02
Benchtest 01.2018, employer participation in different funds, new FIM regulations analysed and more...
2018-01
Benchtest 12.2017, rather manage your own investments, SSC benefits and tax and more...
2017-12
Benchtest 11.2017, Christmas greetings, NAMFISA levies, NAMFISA circulars, FIM Bill training, do we need a National Pension Fund, rule amendments and affidavits, and more...
2017-11
Benchtest 10.2017, new reporting, new levies, a new law for administrators and more...
2017-10
Benchtest 09.2017, tax and the state old age pension, death benefits outside a fund, service provider rotation and more...
2017-09
Benchtest 08.2017, regulation hindering the ease of doing business, regulators putting established service providers’ business in jeopardy and more...
2017-08
Benchtest 07.2017, housing loan interest rate declines, Benchmark breaches N$ 2 billion and more...
2017-07
Benchtest 06.2017, will Namibia attract foreign investors, tax and payment to an estate and more...
2017-06
Benchtest 05.2017, Sanlam Benchmark survey, sharing annuity with a child, the future of provident funds and more...
2017-05
Benchtest 04.2017, switching at quarter ends, RFS staff movements, status of chart of accounts project and more...
2017-04
Benchtest 03.2017, NAMFISA levies to increase 2,400%, trustees and corporate governance and more...
2017-03
Benchtest 02.2017, consequences of PN 5 of 2003, does your fund provide adequately and more...
2017-02
Benchtest 01.2017, paying less can become expensive, member communication, safeguarding your nest egg and more...
2017-01
Benchtest 12.2016, ERS returns due, owning shares in SA companies, industry chart of accounts, purchase of member owned annuity voluntary contributions, state of financial literacy and more...
2016-12
Benchtest 11.2016, is RFS really arrogant and inflexible, rules should provide for maternity leave, deducting employer debt, member choice in group schemes and more...
2016-11
Benchtest 10.2016, NAMFISA on transfer to insurance policy, tax on retirement from preservation fund, first month end done on MIP and more...
2016-10
Benchtest 09.2016, smooth growth vs market linked portfolio, who qualifies as a beneficiary upon death, MIP goes live and more...
2016-09
Benchtest 08.2016, a privacy policy, nomination of a church, resignation of disabled member, preservation should become compulsory, the risk of terminating membership upon dismissal, Industry Meeting feedback, permanent life partners and death benefits and more...
2016-08
Benchtest 07.2016, trustee term of office rule, payment of remaining pensioner capital, NEEEB vs NIP Act, Benchmark now N$ 2 bn strong and more...
2016-07
Benchtest 06.2016, a code of ethics, benchmarking fund management costs, the Benchmark member meeting and new products, disability income to be paid by insurers, trustee and principal officer’ fees now subject to PAYE, our safety net, our recent client function and more...
2016-06
Benchtest 05.2016, regulation 28 compliance, the move towards umbrella funds, a generic ‘unclaimed benefits policy’, nominating a successor to your annuity, new Benchmark product to rid you of your fiduciary duties, tax & death benefits and more...
2016-05
Benchtest 04.2016, a generic communication policy, NAMFISA powers, vesting scales, industry meeting and more...
2016-04
Benchtest 03.2016, housing loan interest up again, 45 days to submit SIH returns, a generic risk management policy, the risk of member owned annuities, lump sum death benefits upon death of a pensioner, the role of the principal officer, employer funded insurance policies and more...
2016-03
Benchtest 02.2016, how not to circumvent the new death benefits tax regime, the Income Tax Act needs an urgent overhaul, regulation 28 breaches require a practical framework, new ERS reporting format, commentary on investment markets and more...
2016-02
Benchtest 01.2016, a trustee code of conduct, taxation of death benefits, transfer to an insurance policy, study policies, the ‘Cash4Lovedones benefit’, commentary on investment markets and more...
2016-01
Benchtest 12.2015, commentary on the oversupply of oil, a generic trustee performance appraisal form, the Regulator’s interaction with the industry, recovery of tracing costs circular, reporting due dates looming, the NEEEF and more...
2015-12
Benchtest 11.2015, Namfisa reporting deadlines, RFS safety net, fund governance and investment policy, dread disease cover, industry under pressure and more...
2015-11
Benchtest 10.2015, the administrator's job, absence from work, payment by cheque to be abolished and more...
2015-10
Benchtest 09.2015, where SPVs invest, more on PN5, cheques to be phased out, and more...
2015-09
Benchtest 08.2015, investment market commentary, joint bank accounts, PN 5/2003 rediscovered, commutation of annuities, new admin platform and more.
2015-08
Benchtest 07.2015, housing loans present risks, payments of death benefits in a stalemate, Ms Skoppelitus joins RFS board, RFS Exco expanded, 6th annual member meeting of Benchmark coming up, SSC considering new social security benefits and more...
2015-07
Benchtest 06.2015, our new logos, investment commentary, trustee guidelines to register with FIC, whether a fund should be constituted as a private fund, the purposes of a pension fund and more...
2015-06
Benchtest 05.2015: investment commentary; the dilemma created for UIMs; the all new Child Care and Protection Act; reviewing the purpose of a pension fund; quarterly ERS reporting in question and more...
2015-05
Benchtest 04.2015; thought leader or unneccesary product; the life stage model; what was all the fuss about; death benefits, housing loans and tax and more..
2015-04
Benchtest 03.2015, anger in the pension fund industry, new information on SPVs, new Namfisa reporting requirements, retirement investment guidelines and more...
2015-03
Benchtest 02.2015, pension fund death benefits and beneficiary trusts, disposition of trust capital upon death of the beneficiary, technical analysis of the draft FIM Bill regulations and more...
2015-02
Benchtest 01.2015, RFS philosophy explained, Namfisa reporting, draft FIM Bill standards and more...
2015-01
Benchtest 12.2014, remuneration packages and pension benefits, RFS safety net, S14 transfer to SA, the team to lead RFS, news from Namfisa and more...
2014-12
Benchtest 11.2014, year-end message, the geopolitics of oil and more...
2014-11
Benchtest 10.2014, due diligence, tax and benefits, SIH, unlisted investments and more...
2014-10
Benchtest 09.2014, the PF Act and housing loans, RFS celebrates 15 years and more...
2014-09
Benchtest 08.2014, investment market commentary, diversifying investment risk, quarterly reporting, unlisted investments and more...
2014-08
Benchtest 07.2014, Complying with Reg 28 & 29, Namfisa reporting, Abil and more...
2014-07
Benchtest 06.2014, tax debt and tax directives, Sanlam umbrella fund survey, Namfisa reporting & inspections and more...
2014-06
Benchtest 05.2014, tax debt and pension benefits, repo rate increases, Sanlam survey on pension funds, Namfisa reporting coming up and more...
2014-05
Benchtest 04.2014, Benchmark membership until 75, the implications of SA staff being members of a Namibian fund, Namfisa reporting and more...
2014-04
Benchtest 03.2014, can money be transferred from a retirement annuity to a pension fund, Namfisa is embarking on a new fund inspection mission and more...
2014-03
Benchtest 02.2014, staff news, news on Namfisa industry meeting, a new reporting template circulated by Namfisa, a new administrator enters the market and more...
2014-02
Benchtest 01.2014, investment in foreign unit trusts, unlisted investments, payment of unclaimed benefits to the Master, final feedback on Africa Cup of Investments Conference and more...
2014-01
Benchtest 12.2013, Africa Cup of Investments Part 4, staff news, regulation 28 re-issued with a few changes, PI cover explained in comprehensible terms and more...
2013-12
Benchtest 11.2013, Africa Cup of Investments Conference part 3, equity markets trending down, PMR diamond arrow again awarded to RFS, more staff pass exams in financial planning, season's greetings and more...
2013-11
Benchtest 10.2013, Africa Cup of Investments Conference part 2, commodities and how they impact our equity markets and more...
2013-10
Benchtest 09.2013, the Benchmark Actuarial Report 2013, investing in offshore unit trusts, RFS office closure, news on the National Pension Fund and more...
2013-09
Benchtest 08.2013, a report on the Benchmark 2013 AGM, feedback on Namfisa industry meeting, new reporting requirements, new pension fund regulations, funds required to now invest a minimum of 1.75% of assets in unlisted investments and more...
2013-08
Benchtest 07.2013, ambiguous law and unclaimed benefits, investment benchmarks can mislead, Namfisa reporting may sink the pensions industry, has your fund had money invested in First Strut and more...
2013-07
Benchtest 06.2013, layman trustees to be replaced by professionals? Guidance on how to the apply rules where these are ambiguous, RFS staff movements and more...
2013-06
Benchtest 05.2013, how do you cost for a service, should you rotate service providers, a change of guard at RFS, developments re National Pension Fund and more...
2013-05
Benchtest 04.2013, driving down costs and the question of value, legislation affecting pension funds, competitive rankings and more...
2013-04
Benchtest 03.2013, the Cyprus crisis, the NTA skills levy and how they impact pension funds, and more...
2013-03
Benchtest 02.2013, RFS and Benchmark reach billion dollar milestones, what to consider before you restructure your fund and more...
2013-02
Benchtest 01.2013, RFS earns PMR award, what to consider before you restructure your fund and more...
2013-01
Benchtest 12.2012, two staff members earn CFP qualifications, the new FIA Act and more...
2012-12
Benchtest 11.2011, company news, changes to Schedule 1 of FIA, changes to Unit Trust Control Act and more...
2012-11
Benchtest 10.2012, where the industry is heading, costs and trustee roles resulting from new Namfisa reporting requirements and more...
2012-10
Benchtest 09.2012, a glimpse into upcoming strategic and other company developments and more...
2012-09
Benchtest 08.2012, company news, the final (?) version of Regulation 29 and more...
2012-08
Benchtest 07.2012, a new client joins Benchmark, Namfisa industry meeting, two interesting case studies and more...
2012-07
Benchtest 06.2012, Namfisa reporting, investment regulations, the FIM Bill, latest amendments to the Labour Act and more...
2012-06
Benchtest 05.2012, latest developments concerning Namfisa reporting, a review of key changes to regulation 29 new forms of land tenure and more...
2012-05
Benchtest 04.2012, RFS news, new draft regulations 1, 26, 27 and 28, payment of benefits into a beneficiaries account, foreign vendors and more...
2012-04
Benchtest 03.2012, has increasing complexity benefited pension fund members, changes to social security and more...
2015-03
Benchtest 02.2015, pension fund death benefits and beneficiary trusts, disposition of trust capital upon death of the beneficiary, technical analysis of the draft FIM Bill regulations and more...
2012-03
Benchtest 02.2012, Namfisa reporting and withholding tax update, 2011 Retirement Reform Conference notes and more...
2012-02
Benchtest 01.2012, Namfisa wants more reporting of the same, Allan Gray Namibia Investment Trust to be converted, switching is bad for you and more...
2012-01
Benchtest 12.2011, withholding tax on foreign services and other changes to the Income Tax Act and more...