IRF's 25th anniversary conference announces strong line-up

The Institute of Retirement Funds (IRF) has confirmed the line-up of speakers for its 25th Annual Conference starting next week on the 18th August at the ICC in Durban.

Celebrating a quarter century of representation and transformation in the industry the event convenes under the theme "Facing Retirement and Saving Planning - Good Governance and Reforms." It is aimed at building a strong foundation for observing good governance across savings, financial advice and the preservation of benefits in order to ensure that members of retirement funds retire comfortably.

The IRF has been the strongest lobby group in the retirement industry differing from all other bodies in its representation of a broad variety of stakeholders spanning retirement funds, service providers and product providers.

Top speakers include the keynote address from the Minister of Finance, regulatory challenges covered by Dube Tshidi, Registrar of Pension Funds (FSB), and Pension Funds Adjudicator, Muvhango Lukhaimane.

The new Board will focus on an information-sharing format, in a bid to create healthy debate and conversation, and ensure best practices within the retirement industry, while engaging with the National Treasury and the Regulator in shaping the future for members of retirement funds. The afternoon sessions on the first day, Monday 21 August, include interactive workshops: "Implication of pension reform on members of retirement funds and their dependents", "Understanding new legislation for the retirement fund industry" and "Bringing the changes: Broadening the vision and knowledge within the retirement fund industry."

The first day of the conference will close-off with a gala dinner where winners of the 'Best Practice Industry Awards' will be announced and honored for good performance on managing their respective Retirement Funds.

A panel discussion on Day 2, Tuesday, is facilitated by Bruce Cameron, "Exploring a comprehensive social security system in South Africa."There will be also see two projects launched: The Trustee Development and Support Program, and the enhancement of members' marketing through the introduction of an event website.

Explains Zamani Letjane "This year, as the new board, we want to see more engagement and feedback, so it's clear what the issues are for us to work on going forward, providing us with actions for the next 12 months. It's going to be a powerful few days for the retirement fund industry."

The conference boasts over 1000 delegates with speakers and attendees from South Africa and neighboring countries, sponsored by some of the biggest names in the industry including Investec, Stanlib, and Old Mutual. There are more than70 international guests from Botswana, Zambia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe - from the Zimbabwe Associates of Pension Funds, Zimbabwe Local Authority Fund, Botswana Public Officers Fund and the Swaziland Government Institution Fund. The Board of Directors of the IRF will be having a meeting with the international delegates and discuss a process of building a relationship and exchanging programs with them in advancing the best interest of members of the retirement funds in Africa.

The event is hosted at KZN's ICC and starts on Sunday 18th to 20th August. For more information contact [email protected] or call 011 781 4320.