More than half of working South Africans facing an unexpected expense of R10‚000 would be forced to take out a personal loan‚ rely on credit facilities or borrow from family or friends‚ while another 30% had no idea at all how they would handle such an expense.
This is one of the sobering findings of the 2015 Old Mutual Savings & Investment Monitor‚ released on Thursday‚ which gauges the financial attitudes and behaviour of working metropolitan South Africans.
Lynette Nicholson‚ research manager at Old Mutual‚ said‚ “It is deeply concerning that less than 20% of breadwinners have enough of a financial buffer or an emergency fund to be able to cover a relatively modest unexpected expense.
“The rising cost of daily living expenses is squeezing disposable incomes and leading to a decline in savings: 41% of all respondents report they’re saving less than they were a year ago.
“The pain is felt most acutely in the 40-49 year age category: 31% of those with debts in this group are overdue with their repayments. It is no coincidence that this is also the group most likely to belong to the so-called Sandwich Generation: breadwinners who support their children as well as their parents.”
On the upside‚ said Nicholson‚ “There’s a growing awareness of the benefits of saving and investing. Around 60% now contribute towards a pension/provident fund and/or retirement annuity‚ compared with around 50% in 2012. The incidence of saving through unit trusts‚ particularly among higher earners‚ has also risen steadily: from 10% in 2009 to 22% in 2015.
“What’s also good news is that 18-23 year olds (the Z Generation) are displaying a healthy attitude towards money management: 77% of them would use a R10‚000 bonus to pay off debt or invest in the future.”
Another indicator of a strengthening savings culture was the marked growth in the number of working metropolitan households saving in stokvels. “It’s increased from 45% in 2014 to 58% in 2015 — and is most pronounced in the R14‚000-R19‚999 and R40‚000+ household income categories.”
South Africans need to build emergency funds: survey
More than half of working South Africans facing an unexpected expense of R10‚000 would be forced to take out a personal loan‚ rely on credit facilities or borrow from family or friends‚ while another 30% had no idea at all how they would handle such an expense.
This is one of the sobering findings of the 2015 Old Mutual Savings & Investment Monitor‚ released on Thursday‚ which gauges the financial attitudes and behaviour of working metropolitan South Africans.
Lynette Nicholson‚ research manager at Old Mutual‚ said‚ “It is deeply concerning that less than 20% of breadwinners have enough of a financial buffer or an emergency fund to be able to cover a relatively modest unexpected expense.
“The rising cost of daily living expenses is squeezing disposable incomes and leading to a decline in savings: 41% of all respondents report they’re saving less than they were a year ago.
“The pain is felt most acutely in the 40-49 year age category: 31% of those with debts in this group are overdue with their repayments. It is no coincidence that this is also the group most likely to belong to the so-called Sandwich Generation: breadwinners who support their children as well as their parents.”
On the upside‚ said Nicholson‚ “There’s a growing awareness of the benefits of saving and investing. Around 60% now contribute towards a pension/provident fund and/or retirement annuity‚ compared with around 50% in 2012. The incidence of saving through unit trusts‚ particularly among higher earners‚ has also risen steadily: from 10% in 2009 to 22% in 2015.
“What’s also good news is that 18-23 year olds (the Z Generation) are displaying a healthy attitude towards money management: 77% of them would use a R10‚000 bonus to pay off debt or invest in the future.”
Another indicator of a strengthening savings culture was the marked growth in the number of working metropolitan households saving in stokvels. “It’s increased from 45% in 2014 to 58% in 2015 — and is most pronounced in the R14‚000-R19‚999 and R40‚000+ household income categories.”
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