On EasyEquities, you can choose from a range of retirement-appropriate investments, including managed portfolios, Actively Managed ETFs (AMETFs), unit trusts from leading South African investment managers and South African government bonds.

So, where do you start?

First Things First: Your RA Isn't an Investment

This catches a lot of first-time investors. An RA isn't a fund. It's an account that gives your retirement investments tax advantages.

Think of it like a shopping basket. The basket is useful, but what matters is what you put inside it.

That's where your investment choice comes in.

What Can You Invest In? 

The retirement investment menu on EasyEquities includes:

• Managed portfolios
• Actively Managed ETFs (AMETFs)
• Unit trusts
• South African government bonds

The available range changes from time to time, so it's always worth checking the latest product list and fund fact sheets in the app before investing.

Do I Need to Understand Regulation 28?

The short answer is no. 

All investments available inside the EasyEquities Retirement Annuity are already Regulation 28 compliant, so you don't need to calculate equity limits or offshore exposure yourself.

Regulation 28 exists to encourage diversified retirement portfolios by limiting how much can be invested in certain asset classes.

The platform has already done that work for you.

Which Investment Is Right for Me?

The right choice depends on how involved you want to be and where you are in your investing journey.

1. "I Want One Investment That Does Everything"

   A balanced managed portfolio, AMETF or balanced unit trust may suit you. These funds spread your money across shares, bonds, cash and other assets while staying within retirement regulations.

   It's a simple, hands-off approach that many long-term investors prefer.
   
   

2. "I Want an Experienced Fund Manager"

   Unit trusts give you access to investment teams from some of South Africa's best-known asset managers.

   Depending on what's available in the app, you'll find funds from providers such as Allan Gray, Coronation, Ninety One, M&G, Sygnia, Satrix, 10X, Prescient, Nedgroup Investments, EasyETFs and others.

   Each manager has its own investment style, philosophy and fees.
   
   

3. "I'm Close to Retirement"

   If retirement is around the corner, protecting what you've built often becomes just as important as growing it.

   Funds with a higher allocation to bonds and cash generally experience smaller swings than equity-heavy portfolios.

   South African government bonds can also play a role if you're looking for additional stability.
   
   

4. "I Want to Keep Costs Low"
   

   Fees matter because they're one of the few things you can control.

   AMETFs often provide a cost-effective way to access active management, but don't assume they're always the cheapest option.

   Compare the Effective Annual Cost (EAC), Total Investment Charge (TIC) or Total Expense Ratio (TER) before making a decision.

   Small differences today can become meaningful over decades.

What Should I Compare Before Investing?

Every fund has a fact sheet.

Before you invest, it's worth spending a few minutes checking:

• Effective Annual Cost (EAC), TIC or TER
• Asset allocation across shares, bonds, cash and property
• Offshore exposure
• Long-term performance against its benchmark
• Maximum drawdown, which shows the largest historical decline
• Whether the fund focuses on growth, income or a combination of both

Don't choose a fund based on one impressive return number.

Understand how it achieved those returns and whether that approach suits your investment goals.

Should I Switch Funds When Markets Fall?

Usually, no. Markets move. That's part of investing.

Selling after a difficult year and buying back after markets recover is one of the most common ways investors hurt long-term returns.

If you're reviewing your portfolio, focus on the things you can control:

• Fees
• Your investment objective
• Whether the fund still suits your time horizon
• Whether you're comfortable with the investment manager

Those are better reasons to switch than reacting to last quarter's performance.

Funding Your RA Is Easy

Already have an EasyEquities RA?

You can top up your investment, adjust your debit order or invest in another retirement-appropriate fund directly in the app.

If your RA is with another provider, you can transfer it to EasyEquities through a Section 14 transfer without triggering a tax event or losing your retirement benefits.

EasyEquities is currently offering 1% cashback on qualifying RA transfers. Terms and conditions apply.

Choosing an RA is an important decision. Choosing what goes inside it matters just as much. Spend a little time comparing your options now, then give your investments time to do what they're designed to do.

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