Browsing by Author "Mogashoa, Lebogang"

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Environmental, social, governance investing and the preservation of retirement savings in south africa
(University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Mogashoa, Lebogang; Hobden, Christine
One of the big problems facing retirement funds in South Africa is premature withdrawal of retirement savings by members, also known as lack of preservation and there is a need to understand the factors driving this phenomenon. This study aimed to investigate if and how ESG investing by retirement funds featured in member decision-making on whether to preserve their retirement savings. The study was designed as a qualitative case study and utilised semi- structured interviews to collect data. The study utilised two state-related retirement funds that are regulated under the Pension Funds Act as a case study. The members of these funds and a few key informants were interviewed, and the interview data was analysed utilising thematic analysis on a software system called Delve. The data was analysed and discussed utilising the prospect theory. The study found that while members generally had very low knowledge about retirement fund investments and ESG, they had largely positive attitudes towards various issues that fall under ESG. However, there was no evidence that ESG was a direct factor in their decision-making. Notwithstanding this, there was evidence that ESG could indirectly feature in this regard, insofar as various ESG issues are perceived by members to affect the security of their retirement savings, investment returns on their retirement savings and their sense of ethics