YEI is expanding its focus to include those aged 55+,
providing resources, advice, and support to help individuals plan for retirement,
adapt to life changes, and embrace new opportunities
Since YEI’s inception in 2008, YEI has always been dedicated to serving South Africa’s retired population with pertinent content and relevant discounts and benefits. In the beginning, we made the strategic decision to set out with an age of 60+ as most discounts and benefits are applicable to this age demographic.
For many years now, we have been acutely aware that there is so much more to ‘retirement’ than the actual age at which we retire. There are issues and events that come with ageing, the need for preparation both financially, physically, healthwise, mentally and much, much more.
As one of the leaders in this space that deals with all things retirement within South Africa, we feel the need and the responsibility to now include the 55+ demographic into the YEI mix. We also believe we need to cater to those who may not necessarily have retired as yet. Although we have felt for many years that the retirement concept needs to go the way of the Dodo bird, many feel that the retirement age should be significantly raised. A recent article published on www.iol.co.za titled ‘Why South Africans should prepare to retire at 80 instead of 65’ (28 January 2025) highlights the fact that most South Africans will probably need to work an additional 15 years to be financially secure. This is not an issue that is synonymous with South Africa alone. It is a global reality.
YEI plans to provide services and resources to South Africans aged 55+. This will assist them in planning for the future, give them adequate time to adapt to possible retirement, understand available benefits, and access financial and health-related advice. This pre-emptive support ensures that YEI will be seen as a valuable resource throughout the entire retirement journey, not just during retirement.
Granted, not all, even those financially secure, wish to hang up their boots at 65, but knowing what choices you do have is what it’s all about.
One of our readers has said:
If you had asked my 50 year old self what 60 would look like, I would have pictured something totally different. Am I slowing down? Not a chance! Am I retiring? Gosh, far from it! I am feeling amazing – so much more alive, engaged authentic and purposeful! This 60-year old life feels like a complete new beginning – I wish I had known this at the age of 50. My life is filled with clarity, purpose and possibility. I am going to call the shots. I am going to reimagine and reinvent my life in a way that suits me. Cheers to being 60!
And so YEI’s mission from 2025 is onward and upward, targeting those aged 55 and over. We will continue to provide relevant, on-point and interesting resources and content, advice, discounts and benefits, and include 55-plussers where we can. More importantly, we aim to provide our audience with the tools to help them should they be presented with any of the challenging realities as outlined in the Sanlam article.
YEI plans to inspire all of our audience with appropriate content to mindfully prepare for the next step in life. Help you to find your passion, explore your purpose and define what the next phase in ‘being’ will be like. We hope to inspire with stories of members living their most fulfilled lives, challenge your thoughts about the ‘convention’ of retirement and provide you with enough support to make this transition as smooth and meaningful as possible.
It’s a huge task, but YEI is deeply committed to our purpose and we believe this next challenge is one we can brave with great confidence and certainty. And, of course because of our loyal readership and supporters, we know we can rise to the occasion and make a significant change to many South Africans.
