Gradidge Mahura Investments are the appointed financial advisors to the UCTRF, with a specific focus on helping members develop a retirement income plan built around their UCTRF benefit.

As independent advisors, Gradidge Mahura Investments do not sell products. Their guidance is unbiased and tailored to each member's individual circumstances, covering retirement planning, investment options, risk and disability benefits, and tax and estate planning.

Financial advice is available in English, Afrikaans, Setswana, Sesotho, isiZulu, Sepedi, and isiXhosa.

List of available advisors - Download

Members aged 50 and over are eligible for three consultations, paid for by the UCTRF, prior to retirement.

Using this service is entirely voluntary, and members are welcome to consult their own financial advisor at their own cost.

Retirees	Active Members	Living Annuitants	Beneficiaries of Deceased Members	Young Adult Beneficiaries of Deceased Members
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Questions to ask your advisor

Are you independent or tied to an insurer?

Understanding whether your advisor is independent helps you assess whether the advice you receive is unbiased.

An independent advisor can recommend products from across the market, while a tied advisor is limited to one provider. This allows you to compare a variety of insurance products and decide on the one that best suits your needs.

Whose financial products do you sell?

You must ask an adviser whether they represent a wide range of assurance companies’ products and a variety of investment houses and which ones and why.

If the advisor is employed by an advisory practice with its own licence, you still need to check whether the practice is owned by a product house. This information will help you work out whether you are getting advice from a tied or product supplier agent, who only recommends products from one institution. If your advisor is employed by a practice licensed as a separate financial services provider but the practice is owned by a product house, you need to ask about incentives offered to your advisor.

Are you from a financial institution such as a life company or an advisory practice?

If the advisor is employed by an advisory practice with its own licence, you still need to check whether the practice is owned by a product house. This information will help you work out whether you are getting advice from a tied or product supplier agent, who only recommends products from one institution. If your advisor is employed by a practice licensed as a separate financial services provider but the practice is owned by a product house, you need to ask about incentives offered to your advisor.

Which products are you authorised to advise on?

Advisors are licensed to advise on specific product categories based on their qualifications and experience.
For example:

·       Investments and retirement planning

·       Risk Cover (life, disability, etc.)

·       Medical aid

Ensure your advisor is authorised in the areas relevant to your needs.

How are you paid?

Financial advisors may be compensated in different ways:

• Commission only – paid by product providers
• Commission + fees – combination of client fees and product commissions
• Fee-only – paid directly by the client

Each model has pros and cons, so it’s important to understand how your advisor is paid and agree upfront on the basis of engagement.

What qualifications do you have?  

Ask for proof of qualifications and confirm that the advisor is FAIS-licensed.
If they are under supervision, they are still completing regulatory requirements and should be guided by a qualified professional.

How do you assess my financial needs?

A good advisor should take a holistic approach, considering:

• your goals and time horizon
• Risk Cover (death, disability, income protection)
• retirement planning and investments
• tax and estate planning

They may also involve specialists (e.g. tax or legal experts) where necessary.

How will you communicate with me and how often?

Communication frequency should align with your needs and goals. This could range from annual reviews to more regular engagement, especially if your situation is complex or changing.You should also discuss how “life events” (e.g. marriage, retrenchment, children) will be handled.

What support do you provide with claims?

Your advisor should assist with managing claims and ensuring a smooth process. Ask about their experience with claims and how different providers perform in practice.

Can you provide client references or testimonials?

Client feedback can give insight into service quality. You can also check if the advisor is a member of the Financial Planning Institute (FPI) for added credibility.

It’s also worth looking at the Financial Planning Institute (FPI)’s website (http://www.fpi.co.za/).