Foreign Pension Schemes:
There be Dragons
Date:
6 November 2025
Time:
10:00 - 11:30
Platform:
Zoom
Cost:
R180
CPD Points:
1.5
Foreign pension earners stand to be significantly impacted by the recent proposed amendments to s10(1)(gC). Prof Des will discuss this legislation and the implications of the proposed amendment for foreign pension earners.
There are a number of foreign pension schemes that have made offerings to South African residents. The tax implications that arise in consequence of South African residents participating in these retirement offerings are complex and, in some respects very uncertain.Â
These foreign pension schemes are in the main structured as a trust arrangement, with the South African participants being either discretionary or vested beneficiaries.Â
While not stricto sensu a cell structure as commonly understood, in essence the financial position of each participant is accounted for in a bespoke account. This bespoke account will comprise the contributions made by the participant and any growth in the value of such contributions. Any retirement benefits paid to the participant will accordingly be accounted for in the bespoke account, and the participant’s retirement benefits will always be limited to the amount standing to the credit of the participant in his or her bespoke account.Â
Generally, participants are entitled to annuities or lump sums on the happening of specified events, such as attainment of an age, death or termination. There is a large degree of discretion as regards the nature (annuities/lump sums) and timing of the payments (regular/once-off/yearly), with the participants able to request a certain payment regime, but generally subject to the absolute discretion of the trustees of the scheme.Â
While the rules of each foreign pension scheme are naturally different, the rules are nevertheless also very similar when it comes to the rights and obligations of the foreign pension scheme and participants.Â
Key topics
In this session, the following key topics will be discussed:Â
- The legal construct of foreign pension schemes offered to South African residents.
- The nature and deductibility of "premiums" paid to foreign pension schemes.
- South African tax status of lump sum or periodic "pensions" paid to South African residents.
- A discussion on the proposed amendments to s10(1)(gC)
- Q&A
- 00Days
- 00Hours
- 00Minutes
- 00Seconds
Who Should Join?
Tax Practitioners & Advisors
Accountants & Auditors
Compliance Officers
Legal Advisors
Financial Managers
About The Speaker
Prof Des Kruger was previously a Partner, and now Consultant, in the Tax Practice at Webber Wentzel Attorneys. He has studied law and tax at the universities of KwaZulu Natal and Wits in South Africa, and Harvard in the United States of America. Des is presently an Adjunct Professor at the University of Cape Town (Law Department) where he lectures in value-added tax (VAT) at the postgraduate level.Â
Des has specialised in all aspects of taxation, including international tax, corporate tax and value-added tax, for more than 46 years. During that time he spent 12 years in total at Inland Revenue/South African Revenue Service, where he was a Deputy Director (Legal Drafting) and then subsequentely a Specialist in the then Legal and Policy Division. He has co-authored Value-Added Tax in South Africa and Broomberg on Tax Strategy and is currently co-editor of Business Tax and Company Law Quarterly.Â
Des’ expertise has been recognised by various international research organisations including Chambers Global and the prestigious International Tax Review. He has also been named as one of the top tax consultants in South Africa by the International Tax Review and was named as Lawyer of the Year: Tax, 2010 by Best Lawyers.Â
Des has Advised both Margo and Katz Tax Commissions of Enquiry into the Tax System of South Africa, and was a member of the VAT Ad-hoc Committee of the Davies Tax Committee.Â
What Our Clients are Saying
and always feel that I learn a lot from them