How One Family Rebuilt Their Financial Future With Confidence — A DWD Success Story

How One Family Rebuilt Their Financial Future With Confidence — A DWD Success Story

Johannesburg South is a place full of resilience — families who push forward, rebuild after setbacks, and strive for financial stability. These stories inspire our work every day at DWD Financial Planners, where financial planning is not just a service, but a partnership built on trust and guidance.

This month, we share the story of the Mokoena family from Ridgeway — a story shaped by courage, careful planning, and the supportive protection of Momentum Insurance, one of South Africa’s most trusted providers of financial security.


When Life Suddenly Changes

After 14 years with the same employer, Thabo faced unexpected retrenchment when his company restructured. The family suddenly had no income, and the lump-sum payout, tax rules, and loss of medical cover created overwhelming stress.

It felt like everything stopped at once — we didn’t know where to start,” says Thabo.

A close friend referred them to DWD Financial Planners in Winchester Hills, a decision that became the turning point in their journey.


A Plan Built for Protection & Growth

Our team completed a full financial assessment to stabilise the family quickly and protect their long-term future.

With careful planning, we created a recovery and protection strategy:

  • Their provident fund was transferred into a DWD Preservation Fund, preventing unnecessary tax loss.
  • A DWD Tax-Free Savings Account was started to ensure long-term, cost-effective growth.
  • Short-term protection was secured through Momentum Insurance’s Life & Disability Cover, giving the family immediate financial security in case of further uncertainty.
  • We added Momentum’s Income Protection to safeguard their monthly living needs.
  • A structured Wealth & Budget Plan helped steady their finances while Thabo looked for new employment.

For months we lived with fear — but once the plan was in place, we finally felt protected,” says Lerato.


A Brighter Chapter Ahead

Six months later, Thabo secured a new role with better benefits and long-term pension support. Their investments are growing, their risk cover is secure with Momentum, and they finally have peace of mind.

The Mokoenas’ story is a reminder that the right guidance — paired with the right insurance partner — can turn crisis into confidence.

At DWD Financial Planners, we proudly work with leading providers like Momentum Insurance to help families protect what matters and build a future they can trust.

Plan Today.

Prosper Tomorrow.
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Financial Calculators

Find out if you are on track for retirement — and how much more you need to save. Powered by 8% p.a. growth assumptions. Estimates only; speak to DWD for a personalised projection.

Calculate exactly how much life cover your family needs if something happens to you — including income replacement, debt clearance, and education funding.

Estimate how much SARS tax you will pay on your pension or provident lump sum using the official 2024/25 retirement fund tax tables. For amounts above R3 million, contact DWD directly.

Answer 10 quick yes/no questions to identify gaps in your estate plan — and get personalised recommendations from DWD's estate planning specialists.

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Include RA, pension/provident fund, and other long-term investments.
Include employer and employee contributions to pension, provident, and RA.

Projected Savings at Retirement

R 0
Readiness Analysis Fair
Years to retirement 25 years
Retirement income target R 0
Monthly income in retirement R 0
Funding gap / surplus
Additional monthly needed

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2
Include a spouse/partner, children, and any other people dependent on your income.
Include home loan, vehicle finance, credit cards, and personal loans.
Include employer group life, personal policies, and funeral cover.

Total Life Cover Recommended

R 0
Cover Breakdown Underinsured
Income replacement (10× annual) R 0
Debt clearance R 0
Education fund for dependents R 0
Estate & executor costs (est.) R 50,000
Less: existing cover R 0
Cover gap / surplus
Est. monthly premium range
Recommended product type

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R 500,000
Slide to select your lump sum amount up to R3 million. Contact DWD for larger amounts.
Retirement and retrenchment attract a more favourable tax rate with a higher tax-free threshold.
SARS aggregates all lifetime retirement fund withdrawals when applying the tax tables. This reduces the tax-free portion available.
SARS 2024/25 Tax Tables Applied This estimator uses the official SARS retirement fund lump sum tax tables. Tax on retirement/retrenchment: R0–R550,000 @ 0%, R550,001–R770,000 @ 18%, R770,001–R1,155,000 @ 27%, above R1,155,000 @ 36%. Speak to DWD for a precise calculation based on your full retirement history.

Estimated Net Payout (after tax)

R 500,000
Tax Breakdown 0% rate
Gross lump sum R 500,000
Tax-free portion R 500,000
SARS tax payable R 0
Net payout R 500,000
Effective tax rate 0.0%
Marginal tax rate (top bracket) 0%

DWD can help you structure your retirement lump sum to minimise SARS tax — including preservation fund strategies.

Your progress 0 of 10 answered

1. Do you have a valid, signed will that has been updated in the last 5 years?

2. Are your beneficiary nominations up to date on all policies and retirement funds?

3. Have you nominated an executor in your will to administer your estate?

4. Do you have life cover sufficient to cover estate duties, executor fees, and outstanding debts?

5. Have you considered the estate duty implications on your assets? (Estate duty applies above R3.5 million at 20%.)

6. If you have minor children, have you nominated a legal guardian in your will?

7. Have you considered a testamentary trust to protect assets left to minor or vulnerable beneficiaries?

8. Do you have a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) or endowment policy as part of your wealth strategy?

9. Is a trusted family member aware of the location of your will, policies, and important financial documents?

10. Have you reviewed your estate plan with a qualified financial planner in the last 3 years?

/ 10
Answer to see your score

Answer all 10 questions to get your personalised estate planning readiness rating and a list of gaps DWD can help you address.

Gaps identified — DWD recommends:

Complete all 10 questions to unlock your free estate planning assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a preservation fund?
A preservation fund protects your pension or provident savings when leaving a job while keeping them invested
How does Momentum Insurance support financial security?
Momentum provides life, disability, and income protection to safeguard families during uncertainty
How did DWD help the Mokoena family?
We created a personalised plan including preservation, savings, budgeting, and Momentum risk protection
Why is income protection important?
It replaces your income if you cannot work, ensuring your family remains financially secure
Can DWD assist during retrenchment?
Yes, we guide clients through payouts, tax decisions, budgeting, and rebuilding long-term stability