By: Nosipho Nhleko, Investment Product Specialist at Liberty

" Choosing the right financial products shouldn’t be a snap decision. Invest in yourself by increasing your financial knowledge, so you can realistically evaluate your short, medium and long-term goals when making any choices."

Women’s Month is a time when we should be taking stock of what we choose to invest in, whether it’s our finances, our future or ourselves. 

I don’t believe that advice should necessarily be tailored to one’s gender. Women may have unique situations, but advice is universal: make sure you’re making the right choices on where you place your money.

When it comes to investment advice, times are changing – rapidly. People are seeking out more investment products which provide a level of security.

For example, at Liberty and according to the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA) 2020 stats, we have seen an increased interest in life annuities which offer a guaranteed income for life. They had previously been on a downward trend with people preferring living annuities as their post-retirement product. It’s likely because of the COVID-19 pandemic, that people want more security. 

Other than life annuities, security is also a benefit offered in some of our optional features for certain investment products such as the High-Water Mark Guarantee which protects 80% of your portfolio's highest quarterly return - which is very useful in periods where we experience market downturns. The Exact Income Fund, which is available on the Liberty Retirement Annuity, lets you know today what your income will be in retirement and guarantees it regardless of what markets do. But choosing the right financial products shouldn’t be a snap decision. 

Invest in yourself by increasing your financial knowledge, so you can realistically evaluate your short, medium and long-term goals when making any choices. You don’t have to be a trained expert! That base knowledge can equip you with the tools to start your budgeting which could eventually lead to financial stability for your future self. Don't be afraid to bring in a Financial Adviser early on in the process as they are equipped to assist you to lay the right foundations on which you could build your wealth.