Mthembu, Zizile2024-06-112024-06-112022Blumenthal, Roy. (2023). Retirement planning for financial independence: exploring different investment vehicles from a tax benefit perspective [Master’s dissertation , University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WireDSpace. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/38629https://hdl.handle.net/10539/38629A research report submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce (Specialising in Taxation) Johannesburg, 2022Planning for retirement is an important step in the lives of South Africans, whether they are employed or self-employed. The Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995, of South Africa, does not specifically prescribe the age of retirement, however the normal age of retirement for employed individuals is generally between the ages of 55 and 65 years, depending on the industry and the rules of the retirement funds involved (Western Cape Government, 2018). This study evaluates the different investment options available to the ordinary South African in planning towards his or her retirement. It focuses specifically on three investment vehicles, namely, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), retirement annuity funds and offshore endowment policies. The study examined the characteristics of these investment vehicles, the tax benefits available, the risks involved and how to use those returns to ensure a financially independent and sustainable life during retirementen© 2022 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)Retirement Annuity FundsSouth AfricaTax planningRetirement planningFinancial independenceTax incentivesoffshore endowment policiesUCTDSDG-8: Decent work and economic growthDissertationUniversity of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg