From investing to true wealth

Women’s Month is the perfect time to talk about taking control of your financial future.

Hymne Landman, CEO at Momentum Wealth, spoke to Marisa Meyer, Chief Operating Officer of Momentum Wealth, about investing for retirement.

Hymne Landman: Women’s Month is a timely reminder that women often put others first while overlooking their own financial security. Investing for retirement may not feel urgent, but the reality is the sooner you start, the more freedom you’ll have later in life.

Marisa Meyer: I agree, Hymne. There’s this notion that retirement planning is something you deal with “one day”. The truth? Every rand you invest now works for your future self. A solid long-term plan can make a meaningful difference, and that plan should reflect your personal goals. Financial advisers are excellent at helping you create a roadmap that suits your life stage, commitments, and dreams.

Hymne: Exactly. Financial advice isn’t one-size-fits-all. An adviser helps you see the bigger picture, whether it’s balancing school fees and a bond today, or building wealth for retirement. It also keeps you on track when life throws curveballs. Often, clients panic during market volatility, but research shows sticking to your plan is usually the best approach.

Marisa: That brings us to diversification. It’s one of the most powerful tools in investing. Diversification means spreading your money across different investments instead of relying on just one. Think of it as not putting all your eggs in one basket. If one investment performs poorly, others may do better, helping to protect your savings and keep you on track.

By spreading your investments across asset classes, industries, and even regions, you reduce your risk and improve your chances of consistent growth over time.

Hymne: And the good news? You don’t need millions to start. Options like a retirement annuity (RA) and a tax-free investment make it easier to build wealth in a disciplined way. An RA not only gives you the opportunity to grow your retirement savings but also offers tax benefits on the money you invest, which means more of your money is working for you. A tax-free investment (also known as a tax-free savings account or TFSA), on the other hand, shields your returns from tax – a great complement to your overall plan.

Marisa: Another point is the confidence that comes from ownership. Our campaign, She Owns Her Success, is all about empowering women to take charge of their financial journey. Financial independence isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s peace of mind, freedom of choice and creating the life you want – on your own terms.

Hymne: Yes, and financial planning is key to making that happen. Start by setting clear, personal goals. Do you want to retire by 60? Travel often? Support causes you care about? Do you want to leave a financial inheritance? Once you know your destination, you and your adviser can plot a realistic route to get there and regularly review whether you remain on track.

Marisa: And here’s some reassurance: you don’t have to know everything. That’s why expert advice matters. Life changes – careers, family, markets – and your plan should change with you. Advisers help you make informed decisions, avoid costly mistakes and stay motivated along the way.

Hymne: If there’s one thing we’d love readers to take away, it’s this: your financial wellbeing deserves as much care as every other part of your life. Start early if you can, lean on trusted advice, diversify, and make the most of smart tools like RAs and tax-free investments.

Marisa: And believe in yourself. Taking control of your finances is one of the most empowering things you can do. In Women’s Month and beyond, let’s celebrate that ownership – because your future is worth investing in.

Whether you want to create and grow your wealth, protect it, or earn an income from it, Momentum Wealth has a personal investment solution for you. For more information about singular personalisation on your journey to success, speak to a Momentum accredited financial adviser or visit our website here.

Momentum Wealth is part of Momentum Investments and Momentum Group Limited. Momentum Wealth (Pty) Ltd is an authorised financial services provider (registration number 1995/008800/07, FSP number 657). Momentum Metropolitan Life Limited is an authorised financial services and credit provider (registration number 1904/002186/06, FSP number 6406). The information in this article is for general information purposes and not intended to be an invitation to invest, professional advice or financial services under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, 2002. Momentum Investments does not make any express or implied warranty about the accuracy of the information herein.