How the two-pot retirement system impacts expats.
The much-anticipated two-pot retirement system, introduced as a ‘knight in shining armour’ for South Africans, has received a new implementation date of March 2024. Expats are cautioned to pay attention to the effects that this will have on the encashment of their retirement savings.
While many have addressed the two-pot system and its possible effects on South African residents, very little has been outlined regarding the practical impacts this system will have on South Africans who have ceased their tax residency—the expats.
A brief recap
Expats have faced quite some challenges with encashing their retirement funds; from the introduction of the three-year lock-in rule to the knotty requirements faced by policy providers.
Attempting to encash retirement savings and access retirement funds after cessation of tax residency requires significant attention to detail, and often expert guidance as well.
The spring from which the encashment of an expat’s retirement funds flows is the formalisation of their cessation of tax residency. While previously, this may have been a simple process whereby the South African Reserve Bank allowed immediate encashment upon formalisation of non-resident tax status, recently it has been transformed into a far more rigorous exercise.
Expats are now required to engage with SARS to obtain a Notice of Non-resident Status letter. Following this, the equally important Approval International Transfer Tax Compliance Status process must be adhered to, to allow for the remittance of encashed retirement funds.
Even with the already existing challenges, the tax implications for encashing retirement funds have always been quite straightforward. In simple terms, the relevant tax table to be applied to the tax calculation was determined by the type of encashment. It appears, however, that the new retirement fund encashment dispensation will pose additional obstacles to those navigating their policy encashments without a guide.
A new (but tangled) dawn
While the proposed new laws are referred to as the two-component system, the implementation hereof will define three different components, which are colloquially referred to as pots.
The savings, retirement, and vested components will have defined encashment parameters for those who cease to be tax residents, which could lead to adverse tax implications for each of these components if improperly approached.
Under this new system, a third of all retirement savings will fall under the savings component, with the remaining two-thirds falling under the retirement component.
The vested component will consist of all retirement savings before the commencement of this system and will be treated the same as they are currently being treated (i.e. separate from the two-pot retirement system).
In terms of encashment, one withdrawal per year will be allowed from the savings pot, before retirement, up to the full value of this component.
On ceasing tax residency, withdrawals from the retirement pot may be allowed, subject to the three-year lock-in period. Similarly, withdrawals from the vested component will be allowed, in line with the current position, but still subject to the three-year lock-in period (as is currently the rule).
For expats, the two-pot system may require the categorisation of each of the pots to be taxed separately per their differing values.
With no firm direction from SARS, expats may need to prepare for the tax implications on each of their savings, retirement, and vested components once they have ceased to be tax residents, and should they seek to encash their benefits thereafter.
The expat guide
Although still in its early stages, the two-pot system threatens additional complexities for those ceasing their tax residency and intending to encash their retirement funds. Whether the National Treasury and SARS intend to create uniformity with the encashment of expat retirement funds is yet to be determined.
Creating a roadmap, not only for the cessation process but also for accurate tax declarations and successful offshore remittance of retirement funds, has proven to be a necessity. As South Africa’s retirement system undergoes significant transformation, expats must recognise the value of seeking expert advice and guidance in this area.
While every reasonable effort is taken to ensure the accuracy and soundness of the contents of this publication, neither the writers of the articles nor the publisher will bear any responsibility for the consequences of any actions based on information or recommendations contained herein. Our material is for informational purposes.
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