I would like to recommend reading ‘retire right’ by Bruce Cameron. (Zebra Press, 2008)

This book contains a wealth of information and would be of great help to anyone wanting to have a good and financially secure retirement. It is somewhat dated and I would hope that a revised edition would be contemplated by the author and the publisher.

It is of the utmost importance for you to take charge of your own finances. After all, these are your monies that you have worked hard for all those years. The Financial Services Board is trying its best to help South Africans in so many ways, but the best person to watch over your monies is you, in consultation with your advisor. My suggestion therefore, is not to hand everything over to your advisor and assume all is well. Please monitor your investments and living annuities. Look at their performance over the past year or three year period and compare this performance to other investments.

The book is obtainable at Exclusive Books.