The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) celebrates President Cyril Ramaphosa’s historic signing of the Revenue Laws Amendment (RLA) Bill, one of two progressive amendment bills that will enable the long sought Two Pot Pension Reforms to take place on 1 September 2024. 

The other Bill, the Pension Funds Amendment (PFA) Bill, has been adopted by Parliament and is awaiting the President’s assent.

COSATU has been engaging on the Two Pot Pension Reforms with Treasury and Parliament since May 2020.  We are pleased that whilst we may not have achieved everything we proposed, that not only have we reached consensus on the key matters but legislation providing for the reforms has been adopted by Parliament and there is agreement between government, Parliament, COSATU and the pension funds for implementation on 1 September 2024. 

We welcome the continuous support we have received from the African National Congress led government.  Without a doubt, workers have a firm and reliable ally in the ANC.

Workers are highly indebted due to slow economic growth, the rising costs of living and having to support relatives in an economy battling a 41% unemployment rate.  The current pension laws are excessively inflexible only allowing workers access to their pension funds upon retirement, losing their job or resignation.  Consequently, many workers opt to resign to cash out their entire pension funds leaving them unemployed and with no savings left.

The Two Pot Reforms provide a progressive compromise and fair balance where workers will have access to a portion of their pension funds whilst remaining employed.  This will allow workers to access 10% up to R30 000 of their existing savings when the law comes into effect on 1 September 2024 and from then on once a year, access to a third of future savings.  Workers will retain access to existing savings.  These will enable workers to remain employed, receive the equivalent of a thirteenth cheque on 1 September and once a year going forward and have more savings when they retire.

We welcome critical amendments made to the Bill by Parliament to ensure all workers, public and private sector, are included in the Two Pot Pension Reforms. 

COSATU is working closely with government and the pension funds through Nedlac to ensure a smooth implementation on 1 September.  This includes ensuring the President assents to the PFA Bill, Treasury promulgates, SARS adjusts its tax systems, and the pension funds amend their rules and put in place the necessary education and administrative measures for workers seeking this relief.

We are confident that we are on track and all deadlines will be met to ensure implementation on 1 September 2024.  Workers have been waiting for this relief since 2020.  We will not disappoint them.

Issued by COSATU.

For further comment please contact:

Matthew Parks

Acting National Spokesperson & Parliamentary Coordinator

Cell: 082 785 0687

Email: matthew@cosatu.org.za