Retirement is often viewed as something that happens at the end of a career. In reality, it is shaped by the financial decisions people make from their very first pay cheque.
According to Sipho Sibanda, Head of Employee Financial Wellness at Momentum Corporate, the journey to retirement is similar to a FIFA World Cup campaign. Success is built through years of preparation, discipline and planning, not by what happens on the final day.
“The quality of life someone enjoys after work is determined long before they reach retirement age,” he says.
Good coaching matters
No football team wins a World Cup on talent alone.
Players rely on coaches to identify weaknesses, improve performance and help them make better decisions.
Sibanda says retirement planning benefits from the same type of guidance.
Through Retirement Benefit Counselling (RBC), retirement fund members have access to qualified financial coaches who provide personalised support through digital channels such as WhatsApp.
These professionals do not earn commissions and focus on helping members understand their employee benefits, preservation options and long-term financial goals.
Protect your retirement savings
Strong defence is essential in football, and Sibanda believes the same applies to retirement savings.
He compares accumulated retirement capital to a team’s defensive line, particularly under South Africa’s Two-Pot retirement system.
The system allows members annual access to a portion of their retirement savings, providing a safety net during emergencies.
Sibanda says this also makes preserving retirement savings even more important, especially when changing jobs.
Although withdrawing retirement savings might offer short-term financial relief, it can weaken long-term financial security.
He says digital tools are helping members make informed preservation decisions when they resign, allowing them to protect their retirement strategy.
Build a balanced financial team
Winning football teams rely on players with different strengths.
Sibanda says retirement planning also requires a balanced approach.
He compares:
- Retirement savings to midfielders controlling the game.
- Emergency savings to defenders protecting against short-term financial shocks.
- Annuity structures to the goalkeeper providing lifelong income.
Different stages of a person’s career require different financial solutions.
Educational workshops, webinars and Default Annuity Retirement Packs with personalised retirement income projections help members choose the right combination of products for their future.
Health plays a role too
A football player cannot contribute if injury prevents them from taking the field.
Sibanda says retirement works the same way.
Building financial security alone is not enough if poor physical or emotional health prevents someone from enjoying retirement.
Modern employee benefit programmes increasingly focus on supporting overall wellbeing by helping employees manage stress, maintain their health and reduce financial anxiety.
Occupational health and disability management initiatives also assist employees recovering from illness or injury and support their return to work.
Prepare for life’s unexpected challenges
No World Cup campaign unfolds exactly as planned.
Teams often face injuries, suspensions, difficult opponents and unexpected setbacks.
Sibanda says retirement planning also requires flexibility because careers, financial markets, family responsibilities and health can all change over time.
He believes a strong financial plan, combined with the guidance and support available through employee benefits, helps members navigate these challenges while staying focused on achieving a comfortable retirement.
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