CRF: A pension fund serving officials

Advertorial Gallery

GEORGE BUSINESS NEWS - The Consolidated Retirement Fund for Local Government (CRF), one of the largest and fastest growing local government funds in South Africa, has opened a satellite branch in George. The launch took place at its brand-new offices in Eden Office Park on 6 March.

Officials and councillors from municipalities throughout the Garden Route District, CRF Trustees, INfund Solutions and financial advisers of Portfolium topped the guest list at the event.

The Fund, which provides members nationwide with excellent retirement solutions, is specifically designed for local government employees and is also available to councillors. With an asset base of over R27-billion, CRF has close to 50 000 contributing members.

CRF chairman Soyisile Mokweni said the Fund was established to provide help to those who are always looking out for the needs of others. "In local government we are very busy looking after the affairs of the citizens. Very few officials have the time and skills to look after their own savings."

Photo gallery: Satellite branch for CRF opened in George

The Fund's Board consists of eight senior officials in local government and four councillors. All CRF trustees are contributing members of the Fund. Since its inception in 1996 as a retirement fund covering three provinces, CRF has shown tremendous growth. "We currently cover nine provinces," said Mokweni.

"Pension funds normally don't have branch offices. This impacts on the services that they run. The George office is the first of a series of six offices we plan to open throughout the country."

He said the convenience to have an office close by will make the world's difference to its members.

CRF chairman Soyisile Mokweni cutting the ribbon.

CRF's promise to its members:

• CRF is committed to provide you with market-leading investment returns over the long term.

• CRF works hard to provide you with a choice of flexible, cost-efficient benefits tailored to best suit your unique needs.

• CRF aims to run the fund in an environment of uncompromising ethics, sound governance and transparency.

• CRF's intention is to empower you to make informed and responsible decisions regarding your retirement savings, ensuring that you have all the tools to retire financially secure.

From left are Trevor Doorly-Jones (Portfolium), Ryno Wilson (Portfolium), Wilna Atterbury (Portfolium), Paul von Stein (INfund Solutions) and Charl Swart (INfund Solutions).