Digitas Wealth Financial Services

Investment Planning

Investment Planning is a practical approach to creating efficient investment portfolios for different risk profiles and investment time horizons on both the South African and overseas investment markets. It is a comprehensive explanation of the different investment choices available.

As investment advisors, we incorporate various tools and knowledge to devise sound investment strategies for our clients. We assist investors in understanding the vagaries of investment markets.

Creating a viable investment plan requires a little more than simply establishing a savings account and buying a few random shares of stocks. In order to structure a plan that is feasible, it is important to understand what you want to accomplish with ones investments and define how to reach those goals. It is necessary to evaluate different types of investment options to decide which avenues will be suitable to aid in the achievement of ones goals. Even the best investment plan may need tweaking as changes in the economy occur or personal circumstances shift in some manner. We see those situations as opportunities to rethink your strategy whilst still keeping your goals uppermost in our mind.

Doing so will lend direction to your investment activities and make it easier to see the big picture even as we deal with present day market variances. We make it a point to review your investment plan from time to time, on an annual or bi-annual basis in most cases. We focus on how well your current strategy is advancing toward your goals, and make changes in your strategy when necessary. Keep in mind that as circumstances permit, we can broaden the range of your investment portfolio, hopefully generating greater returns that make it possible to reach your goals sooner rather than later.

Retirement Planning

The need for a retirement plan is common knowledge. The truth is that it is never too early to begin building a nest egg by learning how to prepare a retirement plan that will adequately cover your expenses throughout the later years of your life. The steps for retirement planning may take some time and effort, but the rewards are far-reaching to ensure that you can spend your retirement years in comfort and security

One of the primary reasons that people engage a financial planner is to know if, and when, they can retire. One of our primary functions is to assist in calculating the amount of capital you will require when retiring, and how best to save over a period of time to achieve those goals.

Just the thought of retirement can cause anxiety and many feel overwhelmed and unprepared, however with adequate and careful planning, these anxieties and fears can be alleviated. The simple fact is, if you want a comfortable retirement, you cannot leave the planning to someone else. If you sit back and hope that your company pension will somehow provide enough to give you the retirement you desire, you are likely heading for disaster. Research has shown that as many as 94% of South Africans do not make sufficient provision to enjoy a comfortable retirement. As a result, they need to continue working in their retirement years, or depend on family members for support. The financial pressures to provide for a financially secure retirement are increasing because:

People are living longer, which means that they need more money at retirement.
Many people are retiring at an earlier age, again necessitating greater provision for their retirement years.
Inflation affects the buying power of retirees’ incomes and this is exacerbated by the fact that people are living longer. It is therefore important for people to have sufficient funds to provide for inflationary increases in their income after retirement.
Many companies have stopped paying medical aid contributions for retirees because of escalating costs. This has forced individuals to make their own provision for medical costs after retirement.
Most companies have changed their retirement vehicles from defined-benefit to defined-contribution models, placing the responsibility for the accumulation of retirement capital in the hands of the employee rather than in the hands of the employer. This requires individuals to fund the shortfall in retirement funding caused by the change in models outlined above.

Estate Planning

Estate planning is the process whereby you effectively structure your estate to protect your beneficiaries and preserve your assets in the most cost and tax efficient methods. A Will is a legal document that sets forth your wishes regarding the distribution of your property and the care of any minor children. We aim to assist in the drafting, maintaining and executing of a Last Will and Testament, ensuring your loved ones are cared for and your last wishes carried out. The results of leaving your loved ones behind without a valid Will can be catastrophic. By making sure that your Last Will and Testament is in place, valid and up to date, you can:

Protect your family’s financial future and inheritance
Protect your family against debt liabilities from your business
Save on estate duty

Health Planning

We provide specialised health planning services to individuals, families and corporates designed to suit your personal and financial situation. Our experts will provide you with comprehensive medical aid and insurance options which best suit your particular needs. Our committed staff will keep you up-to-date with any changing legislation and benefit structures. Our services include:

Choosing the most suitable medical aid option in the market
Investigating and comparing medical schemes and options
Providing proactive advice on your present medical aid
Assist you with claims and query resolution
Advising on medical insurance to cover shortfalls in medical aid cover

Business Financial Planning

Business financial planning includes advising employers on how best to structure their employee benefit programmes regarding pension and provident funds, group life and disability, funeral plans as well as medical aids and insurance. We also provide advice on partnership assurance, buy-and-sell agreements, key man policies, and executive remuneration packages.

To retain your employees you need to develop employee benefit strategies that fit both the needs of your company and your staff. An employee benefits package should be attractive to both current and prospective employees, while at the same time being financially feasible for you as the employer.

Risk Planning

The risk planning process is undertaken by completing a financial needs analysis and risk questionnaire with your financial planner. Our experts offer an unbiased, unique service to every client seeking quality advice. We are not obliged to use the products of just one Insurance Company or Investment Provider. This means that we are in the exceptional position of being able to give you the best of a variety of options. The financial needs analysis and risk questionnaire covers, inter-alia, the following:

Family position and background
Financial needs goals, objectives and aspirations.
Current financial position.
Risk profile.
Time frames for financial planning

We will analysis existing assets and liabilities as well as your existing insurance and investment portfolio. This covers aspects of risk and wealth creation, including the setting aside of emergency funds for contingencies and/or implementing the required life insurance and investments.

Risk planning includes life insurance, disability, dread disease, income protection and medical care cover. Personal life insurance is implemented to provide a solution to financial problems which arise on the death or disability of the breadwinner in a family. Upon your death, there must be sufficient life cover, after paying debt and expenses which when invested will be used to meet the lifestyle requirements of your family.

About Us

Digitas Wealth derives its name from the Baobab – Adonsonia Digitata – irrefutably the most iconic of all trees in Africa. It is believed that the African lord of rain dwells in its upper eruption of branches, holding the very sky up with his arms.

The Baobab is commonly known as the “Tree of Life”, secured powerfully in the ground. Its root system grows up to 2m deep with a diameter wider than the tree is long. Digitas Wealth focuses on anchoring clients in much the same way – consistently remaining true to our promise of providing independent and superior financial planning solutions to individuals and institutions across South Africa.

The business has a long and proud history that dates back to 1999. Our goal is to form an enduring and supportive relationship with you by providing insightful financial planning and ensuring the successful management thereof. We will work together with you to implement investment strategies that will assist you in achieving your financial goals, taking your personal needs into account.