ABOUT IRFA
The Institute of Retirement Funds Africa (IRFA) is an association that represents and promotes the interests of the retirement industry in South Africa and across the continent, to the ultimate benefit of the members of retirement funds. The most important function of the IRFA is to represent the retirement industry in negotiations with government authorities and regulators, which would include commenting on legislation and tax matters affecting retirement funds/pensioners etc. The IRFA therefore depends on total support from all parties concerned with the retirement benefit provision industry.
Vision
To be the relevant representative of the retirement ecosystem in Africa.
Mission
Empowering all retirement ecosystem stakeholders in order to make effective and efficient retirement outcomes
Goals
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Sound governance
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Fiduciary responsibility and board accountability
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Best practices in member service, education, benchmarking and compliance
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Investment in our future
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Staff, member and association growth
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Vigorous engagement
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To ensure a sustainable social legacy
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To become “the” voice in the industry
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Equity and respect for diversity
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Sustainable ESG
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Focused and measurable action
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Functionality objectives
Objectives
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Maintain superior branding and reputational initiatives
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Uphold effective communication processes across the board and with all stakeholders
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To continuously measure developmental milestones, for the greater industry
History
The IRFA has been actively involved in setting out the key principles of retirement provision for all South Africans:
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All segments of South Africa’s population need to be addressed by any retirement provision objective and policy.
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Private sector participation in the process is vital
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Continuation of tax incentives to encourage saving for retirement
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A solid funding and financing system to ensure stability and certainty for the future
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Transparency and member involvement
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Preservation of funds until retirement to be encouraged
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Provision to make retirement income inflation linked.
Activities
The IRFA’s activities include nine standing committees i.e. Executive committee, Conference committee, Legal & Technical committee, Communication committee, Services, Education & Investment committee, Governance committee, Membership & Development committee, Retirement Funds Audit committee and Transformation committee. These committees meet on a regular basis to find new and innovative ways of overcoming problems in our industry, to promote communication and to provide ongoing education and training and advice on legal and technical matters.
Annual conference: To the benefit of its members and other interested parties, the IRFA holds an annual conference where speakers, who are leaders in their respective fields, address the delegates on current issues in the retirement industry.
The Best Practices Industry Awards: This encourages excellence in communication between funds and their members. This annual award has since become a sought after trophy in the industry. The competition is open to all funds irrespective of their size to the benefit of its members and other interested parties, the IRFA holds an annual conference where speakers who are leaders in their fields address the delegates on current issues in the retirement industry. The competition is open to all funds irrespective of their size To the benefit of its members and other interested parties.