A member who retires and has a total retirement savings value of R247 500 (two hundred and forty-seven thousand and five hundred rand) or less will be exempt from these rules and at retirement can opt to take all of their savings in a cash lump sum. This amount will also be exempt from tax, meaning it will not be taxed.
Anyone who was a member of a provident fund and was 55 years or older on 1 March 2021 when the provident fund reforms were introduced is also exempt from the Two-Pot Retirement System, but they may opt-in if they wish. The opt-in option will only be available until 1 September 2025. If fund members did not opt in before then, they will forever be out.