Estate Planning with G&S Insurance
Protecting What Matters Most
One of the greatest acts of love is ensuring that your family remains financially secure when you are no longer able to provide for them, whether due to death or disability. Family Protection forms a core part of your estate planning and is addressed immediately after your will has been drafted.
This is where you decide how your loved ones will be cared for, for how long, and in what way.
Why Your Annual Revision Matters
A lot can happen in 365 days. Most people don’t realise how much their financial picture shifts in a single year until something goes wrong. Your annual review ensures that your cover remains accurate, efficient, and aligned with your current reality.
Key questions that should be considered during your yearly review, includes:
- Have your children left home and/or became financially independent?
- Has the value of your home changed?
- Did you welcome a new baby or adopt a child?
- Are you nearing retirement?
- Were you retrenched or did you go through a divorce?
These are some of thelife events directly influence your risks, your wealth, and the type of protection your family needs.
The world changes too
Beyond personal circumstances, the financial environment is constantly shifting:
- Market fluctuations
- New investment opportunities
- Changes in tax laws
- Adjustments in product benefits
At G&S Insurance, we believe it is our responsibility to ensure that your wealth grows year after year despite these changes.
A legacy built on trust
We are honoured to serve families who value excellence. One of our late clients, Mr. Lazenby, devoted his life to managing other people’s finances as the branch manager of FNB Alberton. His daughter, Wilmie Kroner, recently shared:
“My father had very high standards when it came to his own financial affairs and did not trust anyone. After his retirement, he chose G&S to manage his affairs.”
One of the products we managed for Mr. Lazenby was his Glacier Living Annuity, ensuring that Mrs. Lazenby was financially very well cared for until her passing in late 2025, with their children receiving a handsome income ever since.
This is the power of consistent, responsible wealth building.
Your Family Protection Options
1. Death Income Policy
A Death Income Policy provides your loved ones with a stable monthly income when you pass away.
How it works
- A fixed monthly amount is paid to your beneficiaries
- Payments continue for life or for a predetermined period
- It replaces your salary and maintains your family’s lifestyle
Why families choose this option
- No need to manage large sums of money
- Predictable, long-term financial stability
- Ideal when the surviving spouse is not financially experienced
2. Lump Sum Policy
A Lump Sum Policy pays out one large amount upon death or permanent disability.
How it works
- Your beneficiaries receive a single payout
- They decide how to use or invest it
Benefits
- Immediate access to funds for large expenses
- Flexibility to invest for long-term growth
3. Glacier Living Annuity
A Glacier Living Annuity allows your remaining retirement capital to pass directly to your chosen beneficiaries without forming part of your estate. After your death, your loved ones can choose to continue receiving income, take a lump sum, or combine the two, ensuring a smooth and cost‑effective transfer of wealth.
Discipline is essential
A lump sum can be mismanaged easily. A swimming pool installer in Secunda once joked that business boomed whenever Sasol employees died in accidents, families suddenly had money and spent it on luxuries they could never afford before.
It’s a harsh reminder: a large payout without guidance can disappear quickly.
The ideal approach is to invest the money in an interest-bearing vehicle and avoid impulsive spending.
When Both Parents Pass Away
If both parents die and children need to be cared for, the payout is usually capitalised:
- Funds are placed in a trust or investment structure
- A guardian manages the money responsibly
- The goal is long-term financial support for the children
This ensures that the funds are used for education, health, and living expenses, protecting minors from financial misuse.
Choosing the Right Policy
| Question | If “Yes” | Best Option |
|---|---|---|
| Can the person left behind manage money responsibly? | Yes | Lump Sum |
| Do you want your family to have stable monthly income? | Yes | Death Income |
| Are there young children needing long-term support? | Yes | Death Income |
| Is there large debt that must be settled immediately? | Yes | Lump Sum |
| Do you want to avoid the risk of overspending? | Yes | Death Income |
The G&S Insurance Approach
In the almost 40 years that I have been at the helm of G&S Insurance, one important fact is that we are responsible to assist our clients in making the best possible financial decisions possible.
Our commitment includes:
- Drafting your will
- Reviewing your estate annually
- Assessing your family’s financial needs
- Ensuring your wealth grows year after year
- Protecting your loved ones, no matter what happens
Final Thought
Family protection is not a conversation about death. It is a conversation about love, responsibility, and legacy. It is your way of saying: “I will take care of you, even when I am no longer here.”
Contact Us if you want to find out more about your family’s protection, or want to confirm when your next annual revision is.