Budget 2026 may feel uneventful. Proposed tax hikes were withdrawn, personal income tax brackets were adjusted for inflation, and contribution limits for tax-efficient savings were increased. On the surface, it sounds stable.
But according to Therese Grobler, head of wealth management at Momentum Financial Planning, that sense of calm may be misleading.
“Things have changed, even if it feels like nothing has,” says Grobler. “The risk in a stable Budget is complacency. When there is no obvious shock, many people assume they do not need to adjust their financial plans. That is often when the biggest opportunities are missed.”
Higher contribution limits create real opportunity
The increase in the tax-free savings limit and the retirement fund deduction cap creates additional capacity for long-term wealth building. Over time, even modest increases in annual contributions compound meaningfully.
“Now is the time to revisit your financial plan and make sure you are fully using the new limits,” says Grobler. “It is not just about earning more. It is about structuring what you already earn in the most effective way.”
She notes that many South Africans underestimate the impact of disciplined, tax-efficient contributions over a 10 to 20-year horizon.
“Grow your wealth, tax efficiently. That is where real long-term value lies.”
The misconception that advice is only for the wealthy
One of the most persistent myths in personal finance is that you need significant wealth before partnering with a financial adviser.
“That perception has been perpetuated for years,” says Grobler. “The earlier you partner with an adviser, the better your chances of reaching your goals. It is not about how much you have today. It is about making better decisions from the start.”
Research consistently shows that people who work with advisers are materially better off over time. Grobler says, “Our experience supports this, with advised clients achieving meaningfully improved long-term outcomes.
“Only around 6% of South Africans can currently retire comfortably. That tells you the problem is not intent. Most people want to save. The challenge is implementation.”
Hearing what matters to you – and missing the rest
Grobler warns that many South Africans engage with the Budget selectively.
“We tend to hear what affects us month to month. Fuel levies. VAT. Cost of living. As a business owner, you focus on what impacts your cash flow. But structural changes, like higher contribution caps, may not feel urgent. Yet they can materially shift your long-term trajectory.”
The opposite is also true in difficult years.
“When Budgets feel negative, the worst thing you can do is panic. Go back to your plan. Speak to your adviser. Sometimes staying the course is the right decision.”
Context is everything
The Budget is publicly available, and information is more accessible than ever. But context remains critical.
“Even with AI and greater access to information, financial decisions still require interpretation,” says Grobler. “Jargon can alienate people and create the belief that advice is unnecessary. That is not true.”
By investing heavily in research, specialist insight and simplifying complex developments, clients are enabled to understand how policy changes affect their personal circumstances.
“Your circumstances dictate your position. A financial plan must be flexible. It must adapt as policy changes and as your life changes.”
Stability is not a signal to do nothing
A positive or stable Budget should not be interpreted as a signal that no action is required.
“The worst thing you can do is assume that because the Budget sounds good, you do not need to revisit your financial life,” says Grobler. “Whether you feel it applies to you or not, it does. Over time, even small changes can knock your financial planning off course.”
She encourages clients to use this moment of stability to engage proactively.
“Whether you are feeling uncertain, optimistic or even indifferent, review your financial plan and before making any major decision, speak to your financial adviser. This is a partnership.”