Simon’s weekly wrap: What retirement really looks like and salaries fall behind inflation

I chatted with Andre Tuck from 10x Investments about retirement. Not the savings and investing part that leads up to retiring, rather the processes and concerns once we reach retirement age and stop working and begin living off our savings. We touched on a number of issues, chief among them being that fees still matter.

You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.

During the recent China/US summit, Xi Jinping spoke of the Thucydides trap. This is the idea that a rising power will often end up at war with the established power base. However, chatting with Jason Swartz, Old Mutual Investment Group portfolio manager, about the comments, he points out it needn’t end in war. But, certainly, that it does indicate the tensions between the two superpowers around many areas of concern.

You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.

The latest PayInc Net Salary Index saw salaries increasing year-on-year – but below inflation. I spoke with independent economist Elize Kruger about this, as it’s not only that South African consumers are poorer, but many of our expenses have also risen well ahead of inflation – adding to the squeeze.

You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.

I asked economist Dr Roelof Botha about Alan Greenspan’s legacy after he passed earlier this week, having served as Fed chair under four presidents over 19 years. We also spoke about the recent Afrimat Construction Index that is showing some encouraging signs, albeit slowly and off a low base.

You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.