How is your Bank Interest Taxed?

Ruvan J Grobler • November 29, 2024

After the COVID lockdowns, the SARB pushed up interest rates to fight rising inflation. This made money market rates rise and investors rushed to take advantage. Billions were moved from shares into savings account even though share prices and dividend growth were on the horizon.

 

Many South African investors choose to earn interest through bank savings and fixed deposits but neglect to take taxes into account. Interest earnings are taxed as income, effectively increasing your taxable income. A shock to many when their tax returns are due. SARS does however give you a small annual exemption on interest earnings:

 

  • Under 65 years of age – The first R23 800 of interest income is exempt.
  • 65 years of age and over – The first R34 500 of interest income is exempt.

 

Here is an example to illustrate the post-tax rate and pay out for three different income tax rates. The conclusion being that high earners should be careful of interest earnings.


  • Long-term opportunity?

 

In September, the SARB started cutting interest rates to stimulate economic activity as inflation cooled. Further interest rate cuts are expected as inflation fell to 2.8% in October, a four-year low. Signalling further reduced rates on money market instruments.

 

Being invested in the money market can be part of an effective financial plan where liquidity is needed in the short-term. But how does it compare to the JSE over a longer term?

Ruvan J Grobler RFP™ (PGDip Financial Planning)

Should you withdraw your Pension and pay off your home?

By Francois Le Clus • May 28, 2025
Should you withdraw your Pension and pay off your home? It's perfectly normal to ask whether you should use your pension to pay off your home when leaving an employer. This decision involves weighing the tax on the withdrawal, the interest saved on your bond, the future growth of your pension fund, and the contributions needed to catch up. Example: Anne is 40 years old with a pension fund worth R3,500,000. She bought a home 10 years ago for R3,000,000 and bonded it over 20 years at an 11% interest rate, with monthly repayments of R30,965. After 10 years, her outstanding bond is R2,258,225. If she withdraws her pension, she’ll receive R2,408,300 after tax—enough to settle the bond and have some cash left over. By paying off the bond early: She saves R1,467,919 in interest. She frees up R30,965 in monthly cash flow. However, if she keeps the money invested, her pension could grow to R37,921,470 by age 65 (assuming 10% annual growth). To match this value after using her pension to pay off the bond, she’d need to invest R28,580 per month for the next 25 years. That’s R2,385 less than her current bond repayment, so she does save monthly—but only for the next 10 years. After that, she’s committed to investing R28,580/month for 25 years to break even.  Not everyone’s calculation is the same and there are endless amounts of permutations to this calculation, but it’s important to note that you need to consider all of these factors when making these crucial decisions.

GEWOONTES VIR GELUKKIGE AFTREDE

By Riaan Botha • May 28, 2025
Ons ontleed watter gewoontes meewerk om ’n gelukkige aftrede te verseker. Hierdie maand bespreek ons hoe om gesond te lewe tydens aftrede. Mediese kostes verhoog hoe ouer ons word. Die koste van ’n mediese fonds verhoog jaarliks met meer as die inflasiekoers en mediese uitgawes sal in die toekoms ’n al groter persentasie van ons persoonlike uitgawes vereis. Dit is daarom belangrik om so gesond as moontlik te leef. Hier is verskillende stappe wat gevolg kan word om gesond oud te word: Eet gesond. Moenie oorgewig wees nie. Word sterker deur oefeninge te doen wat jou spiermassa behou. Doen jaarliks mediese ondersoeke om te bepaal hoe gesond jy is. Beskerm jou gewrigte en beenstruktuur deur krag- en rek-oefeninge te doen. Verminder rook en alkohol-inname om jou kanse van kanker en ander siektes te beperk. Indien jy ’n familie-geskiedenis het van siektes soos kanker en hart-toestande. moet jy vir gereelde mediese toetse gaan om vroegtydig te bepaal of jy nie die siektes onder lede het nie. Verbeter jou liggaamsbalans deur oefeninge te doen soos om op een been te staan terwyl jy jou tande borsel. Hierdeur verseker jy dat jy nie gereeld jou liggaamsbalans verloor en val nie. Studies het bewys dat dit help om jou fisieke en geestelike gesondheid te behou deur sewe tot agt ure per nag te slaap. Hou jou brein-funksie of kognitiewe vermoë in ’n goeie toestand deur brein-oefeninge te doen, soos om nuwe stokperdjies te beoefen of memoriseringsoefeninge te doen. Volg ’n aktiewe sosiale lewe. Studies het getoon dat mense met ’n aktiewe sosiale lewe minder geheue-probleme ontwikkel. Hulle het ’n verminderde kans om eensaam te voel en depressief te word (Health Connection, Cooper, University Health Care, 9 September 2024).