Withdrawal rules
When you can access different forms of retirement savings
Explained by our expert
About me
Isabella holds a BCom Honours in Actuarial Science from the University of Cape Town and works at the intersection of investments, quantitative analysis and product development at Sygnia Asset Management. She began her career as a Junior Quantitative Analyst at Sygnia in February 2024 before being appointed Investment Product Specialist in January 2025. Her actuarial background gives her a strong analytical foundation, which she applies to developing investment solutions and helping make complex investment concepts easier for members to understand.
Video Transcript
You can access your savings pot in your employer retirement funds once a year, but you can only access your vested pot, if you have one, when you leave your job through resignation, retrenchment or dismissal. Retirement annuities are locked until age 55, with very few exceptions. And while you can access the money, you'll pay hefty withdrawal tax and seriously mess up your retirement. It's designed to keep you from touching it early.
