Getting started
Find an investment that’s suitable for you

Simplifying your decision-making process

Choosing a suitable investment can be overwhelming. We want to help you with the two key decisions you need to make when you invest with Allan Gray.

The process should take no more than 10 to 15 minutes. It’s best to have one financial goal in mind; once you are done, you can restart the process to find a suitable investment for another goal.

Starting an investment with us
is easier than you think

There are two key decisions you will need to make. Your choices will depend on your needs and circumstances. Don’t worry, we will help you understand which options may be suitable for you.

Decision 1

A suitable account

Just like banks have cheque, savings and credit card accounts, there are different types of investment accounts. Your account determines the rules of your investment, including tax benefits, contribution limits and access to your money. Different types of accounts are suitable for different investment needs. An account on its own does not generate the growth on your investment – that comes from the unit trust that you select.

Decision 2

A suitable unit trust

A unit trust is the underlying investment in your account, and it generates the growth on your investment. Unit trusts are a type of investment that provide you with easy and affordable access to financial markets. There are different types of unit trusts that are suitable for different goals and timeframes.

You can start your investment, and benefit from our investment expertise, by investing monthly or with a lump sum, subject to our minimums.

Do you want to use this investment for retirement?

To choose a suitable account, you will need to think about what your investment is for; i.e. your financial goal. It could be a long-term goal, like retiring comfortably or paying for a child’s education, or a shorter-term goal, like buying a car or building up an emergency fund. The above question will help direct your thinking.

Retirement savings are meant for your retirement

Think of it as delayed spending – you are enabling the lifestyle you want later

Certain accounts are intended specifically to help you save for retirement, and the government offers generous tax incentives to encourage you to invest. They also come with restrictions, like limited access to your money, to ensure you don’t dip into your savings before you retire.

With the benefits in mind, are you comfortable setting this investment aside to grow until you reach retirement age?

Accounts for you to consider

Retirement annuity account (RA)
Tax-free investment account (TFI)
Is this account suitable for me?
Can I withdraw my money at any time?
How do the taxes work?
How much do I need to invest?
Are there contracts or penalties?
What happens to my investment if I die?
Can I invest in any unit trust?
Is this account suitable for me?Yes, if you're saving for retirement and want to benefit from the tax advantages that a retirement annuity offers. You will have two components in your new retirement fund account: a retirement component and a savings component.
Can I withdraw my money at any time?Prior to retirement, you will be allowed to make one withdrawal of at least R2 000 per account per tax year from your savings component. Although this portion is accessible, it should only be used in case of severe financial stress, as withdrawing may negatively impact your future retirement income. The full amount in your retirement component must be preserved until retirement. At retirement (after age 55), you may withdraw the balance of your savings component. The full amount in your retirement component must be used to purchase an investment that can provide you with a retirement income, such as a living annuity or a guaranteed life annuity. You may only make a full withdrawal before retirement under specific circumstances.
How do the taxes work?You pay no tax on the growth of your investment (interest, dividends and capital gains). Your contributions are tax-deductible (subject to certain limits). This means you may be taxed on a lower taxable income amount and could pay less tax, or receive money back from SARS at the end of the tax year. You will pay tax on pre-retirement withdrawals and withdrawals made at retirement.
How much do I need to invest?You can invest as much as you need to achieve your retirement goals, subject to our minimums.
Are there contracts or penalties?No, if you stop contributing, your existing savings remain in the account and can continue to grow – no penalties.
What happens to my investment if I die?Your RA does not form part of your estate. You can nominate a person(s), trust(s) or legal entity(ies) to receive the death benefit, but the trustees will determine the allocation between your dependants and nominees.
Can I invest in any unit trust?No, prescribed legal investment limits restrict how much you can invest in certain investments or asset types.
Is this account suitable for me?Yes, if you want to supplement your retirement savings with an account that offers tax-free returns and flexibility but is subject to a R36 000 yearly contribution limit.
Can I withdraw my money at any time?Yes, however, you will benefit most from the tax advantages if you remain invested for the long term.
How do the taxes work?You pay no tax on the growth of your investment (interest, dividends and capital gains). However, your contributions are not tax-deductible and there is a tax penalty if you invest more than the prescribed maximum amounts.
How much do I need to invest?You can invest as much as you need to achieve your goals, subject to our minimums and the prescribed maximum amounts.
Are there contracts or penalties?If you stop contributing, your existing savings remain in the account and can continue to grow – no penalties. But you will pay a tax penalty if you invest more than the maximums.
What happens to my investment if I die?You can appoint beneficiaries to receive the death benefit directly – there are no trustees involved. Your TFI forms part of your estate for the calculation of estate duty, but if you appoint beneficiaries, no executor fees will be payable.
Can I invest in any unit trust?No, current legislation limits your investment options to unit trusts that charge fixed fees.
More Information
More Information
  • Retirement annuity
    account (RA)
    • Is this account suitable for me?Yes, if you're saving for retirement and want to benefit from the tax advantages that a retirement annuity offers. You will have two components in your new retirement fund account: a retirement component and a savings component.
    • Can I withdraw my money at any time?Prior to retirement, you will be allowed to make one withdrawal of at least R2 000 per account per tax year from your savings component. Although this portion is accessible, it should only be used in case of severe financial stress, as withdrawing may negatively impact your future retirement income. The full amount in your retirement component must be preserved until retirement. At retirement (after age 55), you may withdraw the balance of your savings component. The full amount in your retirement component must be used to purchase an investment that can provide you with a retirement income, such as a living annuity or a guaranteed life annuity. You may only make a full withdrawal before retirement under specific circumstances.
    • How do the taxes work?You pay no tax on the growth of your investment (interest, dividends and capital gains). Your contributions are tax-deductible (subject to certain limits). This means you may be taxed on a lower taxable income amount and could pay less tax, or receive money back from SARS at the end of the tax year. You will pay tax on pre-retirement withdrawals and withdrawals made at retirement.
    • How much do I need to invest?You can invest as much as you need to achieve your retirement goals, subject to our minimums.
    • Are there contracts or penalties?No, if you stop contributing, your existing savings remain in the account and can continue to grow – no penalties.
    • What happens to my investment if I die?Your RA does not form part of your estate. You can nominate a person(s), trust(s) or legal entity(ies) to receive the death benefit, but the trustees will determine the allocation between your dependants and nominees.
    • Can I invest in any unit trust?No, prescribed legal investment limits restrict how much you can invest in certain investments or asset types.
    More Information
  • Tax-free investment
    account (TFI)
    • Is this account suitable for me?Yes, if you want to supplement your retirement savings with an account that offers tax-free returns and flexibility but is subject to a R36 000 yearly contribution limit.
    • Can I withdraw my money at any time?Yes, however, you will benefit most from the tax advantages if you remain invested for the long term.
    • How do the taxes work?You pay no tax on the growth of your investment (interest, dividends and capital gains). However, your contributions are not tax-deductible and there is a tax penalty if you invest more than the prescribed maximum amounts.
    • How much do I need to invest?You can invest as much as you need to achieve your goals, subject to our minimums and the prescribed maximum amounts.
    • Are there contracts or penalties?If you stop contributing, your existing savings remain in the account and can continue to grow – no penalties. But you will pay a tax penalty if you invest more than the maximums.
    • What happens to my investment if I die?You can appoint beneficiaries to receive the death benefit directly – there are no trustees involved. Your TFI forms part of your estate for the calculation of estate duty, but if you appoint beneficiaries, no executor fees will be payable.
    • Can I invest in any unit trust?No, current legislation limits your investment options to unit trusts that charge fixed fees.
    More Information

Accounts for you to consider

Basic investment account
Tax-free investment account (TFI)
Is this account suitable for me?
Can I withdraw my money at any time?
How do the taxes work?
How much do I need to invest?
Are there contracts or penalties?
What happens to my investment if I die?
Can I invest in any unit trust?
Is this account suitable for me?Yes, if you want to grow your money in an account that offers the most flexibility and is suitable for any of your financial goals – long or short term.
Can I withdraw my money at any time?Yes.
How do the taxes work?There are no tax savings on this account. You pay tax on interest and capital gains at your marginal rate, but only once you have exceeded the tax-free thresholds. Dividends are taxed at 20%.
How much do I need to invest?You can invest as much as you need to achieve your goals, subject to our minimums.
Are there contracts or penalties?No, if you stop contributing, your existing savings remain in the account and can continue to grow – no penalties.
What happens to my investment if I die?Your basic investment account forms part of your estate for the calculation of estate duty and executor fees will be payable.
Can I invest in any unit trust?Yes, you can invest in any unit trust that is available.
Is this account suitable for me?Yes, if you want to grow your money in an account that offers tax-free returns and flexibility but is subject to a R36 000 yearly contribution limit.
Can I withdraw my money at any time?Yes, however, you will benefit most from the tax advantages if you remain invested for the long term.
How do the taxes work?You pay no tax on the growth of your investment (interest, dividends and capital gains). However, your contributions are not tax-deductible and there is a tax penalty if you invest more than the prescribed maximum amounts.
How much do I need to invest?You can invest as much as you need to achieve your goals, subject to our minimums and the prescribed maximum amounts. 
Are there contracts or penalties?If you stop contributing, your existing savings remain in the account and can continue to grow – no penalties. But you will pay a tax penalty if you invest more than the maximums.
What happens to my investment if I die?You can appoint beneficiaries to receive the death benefit directly – there are no trustees involved. Your TFI forms part of your estate for the calculation of estate duty, but if you appoint beneficiaries, no executor fees will be payable.
Can I invest in any unit trust?No, current legislation limits your investment options to unit trusts that charge fixed fees.
More Information
More Information
  • Basic investment
    account
    • Is this account suitable for me?Yes, if you want to grow your money in an account that offers the most flexibility and is suitable for any of your financial goals – long or short term.
    • Can I withdraw my money at any time?Yes.
    • How do the taxes work?There are no tax savings on this account. You pay tax on interest and capital gains at your marginal rate, but only once you have exceeded the tax-free thresholds. Dividends are taxed at 20%.
    • How much do I need to invest?You can invest as much as you need to achieve your goals, subject to our minimums.
    • Are there contracts or penalties?No, if you stop contributing, your existing savings remain in the account and can continue to grow – no penalties.
    • What happens to my investment if I die?Your basic investment account forms part of your estate for the calculation of estate duty and executor fees will be payable.
    • Can I invest in any unit trust?Yes, you can invest in any unit trust that is available.
    More Information
  • Tax-free investment
    account (TFI)
    • Is this account suitable for me?Yes, if you want to grow your money in an account that offers tax-free returns and flexibility but is subject to a R36 000 yearly contribution limit.
    • Can I withdraw my money at any time?Yes, however, you will benefit most from the tax advantages if you remain invested for the long term.
    • How do the taxes work?You pay no tax on the growth of your investment (interest, dividends and capital gains). However, your contributions are not tax-deductible and there is a tax penalty if you invest more than the prescribed maximum amounts.
    • How much do I need to invest?You can invest as much as you need to achieve your goals, subject to our minimums and the prescribed maximum amounts. 
    • Are there contracts or penalties?If you stop contributing, your existing savings remain in the account and can continue to grow – no penalties. But you will pay a tax penalty if you invest more than the maximums.
    • What happens to my investment if I die?You can appoint beneficiaries to receive the death benefit directly – there are no trustees involved. Your TFI forms part of your estate for the calculation of estate duty, but if you appoint beneficiaries, no executor fees will be payable.
    • Can I invest in any unit trust?No, current legislation limits your investment options to unit trusts that charge fixed fees.
    More Information
Decision 1

You have selected a retirement annuity account

Things to keep in mind:

  • You get tax benefits: Your contributions are tax deductible and the returns you earn while invested are tax-free.
  • You can access the amount available in your savings component prior to retirement. You cannot access your retirement component before retirement.
  • At retirement (after age 55):
    • You may withdraw the balance of your savings component.
    • You must use the full value of your retirement component to purchase an investment that can provide you with a retirement income, such as a living annuity or a guaranteed life annuity.
Decision 1

You have selected a tax-free investment account

Things to keep in mind:

  • You get tax benefits: The returns you earn while invested are tax-free.
  • You can contribute a maximum of R36 000 per tax year (and R500 000 over your lifetime). This includes any other tax-free investment accounts you may have at different companies.
  • You can access your money at any time. However, a tax-free investment account is only likely to provide significant tax benefits if you remain invested for the long term.
Decision 1

You have selected a basic investment account

Things to keep in mind:

  • You can access your money at any time, although the longer you leave it invested, the more time it has to grow.
  • You can use this account for any financial goal – long or short term.

How long do you intend to invest for?

The length of time you intend to invest for is known as your investment time horizon and helps determine which unit trust is suitable for you.

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Unit trusts for you to consider

Allan Gray
Equity Fund
Allan Gray
Balanced Fund
Allan Gray
Tax-Free Balanced Fund
Allan Gray
Stable Fund
Allan Gray
Interest Fund
Unit trust objective This unit trust aims to achieve long-term capital growth by investing in listed shares.
Things to keep in mindYou should be comfortable with significant ups and downs in your investment that could last for many years, as well as the possibility of losing capital.
Unit trust objective This unit trust aims to achieve steady, long-term capital growth by investing in a mixed selection of assets. This is our flagship long-term unit trust.
Things to keep in mind You should be comfortable with moderate ups and downs in your investment and some risk of losing capital (but less than in an equity-only unit trust).
Unit trust objective This unit trust aims to achieve steady, long-term capital growth by investing in a mixed selection of assets. This is our flagship long-term unit trust.
Things to keep in mindYou should be comfortable with moderate ups and downs in your investment and some risk of losing capital (but less than in an equity-only unit trust).
Unit trust objective This unit trust aims to protect your money and earn returns that beat inflation by investing in a mixed selection of assets.
Things to keep in mind You should be comfortable with some ups and downs in your investment and lower potential returns over time than you might earn in a unit trust that takes on more risk, such as the Allan Gray Balanced Fund.
Unit trust objective This unit trust aims to provide higher returns than those of bank deposits and traditional money market funds, while maintaining capital stability.
Things to keep in mindYou should be comfortable with lower potential returns over time than you might earn in a unit trust that takes on more risk, such as the Allan Gray Stable Fund or the Allan Gray Balanced Fund.
Recommended time horizon5 years or more
Recommended time horizon 3 years or more
Recommended time horizon 3 years or more
Recommended time horizon2 years or more
Recommended time horizon Approximately 1 year
  • Allan Gray
    Equity Fund
    • Unit trust objective This unit trust aims to achieve long-term capital growth by investing in listed shares.
    • Things to keep in mindYou should be comfortable with significant ups and downs in your investment that could last for many years, as well as the possibility of losing capital.
    • Recommended time horizon5 years or more
  • Allan Gray
    Balanced Fund
    • Unit trust objective This unit trust aims to achieve steady, long-term capital growth by investing in a mixed selection of assets. This is our flagship long-term unit trust.
    • Things to keep in mind You should be comfortable with moderate ups and downs in your investment and some risk of losing capital (but less than in an equity-only unit trust).
    • Recommended time horizon 3 years or more
    Allan Gray
    Tax-Free Balanced Fund
    • Unit trust objective This unit trust aims to achieve steady, long-term capital growth by investing in a mixed selection of assets. This is our flagship long-term unit trust.
    • Things to keep in mindYou should be comfortable with moderate ups and downs in your investment and some risk of losing capital (but less than in an equity-only unit trust).
    • Recommended time horizon 3 years or more
  • Allan Gray
    Stable Fund
    • Unit trust objective This unit trust aims to protect your money and earn returns that beat inflation by investing in a mixed selection of assets.
    • Things to keep in mind You should be comfortable with some ups and downs in your investment and lower potential returns over time than you might earn in a unit trust that takes on more risk, such as the Allan Gray Balanced Fund.
    • Recommended time horizon2 years or more
  • Allan Gray
    Interest Fund
    • Unit trust objective This unit trust aims to provide higher returns than those of bank deposits and traditional money market funds, while maintaining capital stability.
    • Things to keep in mindYou should be comfortable with lower potential returns over time than you might earn in a unit trust that takes on more risk, such as the Allan Gray Stable Fund or the Allan Gray Balanced Fund.
    • Recommended time horizon Approximately 1 year
Decision 2

You have selected the Allan Gray Equity Fund

This unit trust is suitable for you if:

  • You want to invest in listed shares for long-term capital growth.
  • You are comfortable with significant ups and downs in your investment that could last for many years, as well as the possibility of losing capital.
  • You have at least five years to invest, but preferably longer.

For more information on the Allan Gray Equity Fund, including past performance and costs, you can view the factsheet here.

Decision 2

You have selected the Allan Gray Balanced Fund

This unit trust is suitable for you if:

  • You are looking for steady, long-term capital growth.
  • You are comfortable with moderate ups and downs in your investment and some risk of losing capital.
  • You are ideally investing for at least three years.

For more information on the Allan Gray Balanced Fund, including past performance and costs, you can view the factsheet here.

Decision 2

You have selected the Allan Gray Tax-Free Balanced Fund

This unit trust is suitable for you if:

  • You are investing in a tax-free investment account.
  • You are looking for steady, long-term capital growth.
  • You are comfortable with moderate ups and downs in your investment and some risk of losing capital.
  • You are ideally investing for at least three years.

For more information on the Allan Gray Tax-Free Balanced Fund, including past performance and costs, you can view the factsheet here.

Decision 2

You have selected the Allan Gray Stable Fund

This unit trust is suitable for you if:

  • You want to prioritise protecting your capital and achieve returns above inflation.
  • You are comfortable with some ups and downs in your investment and lower potential returns over time than you might earn in a unit trust that takes on more risk.
  • You are ideally investing for at least two years.

For more information on the Allan Gray Stable Fund, including past performance and costs, you can view the factsheet here.

Decision 2

You have selected the Allan Gray Interest Fund

This unit trust is suitable for you if:

  • You need a high level of capital stability and you seek higher returns than bank deposits and traditional money market funds.
  • You are comfortable with lower potential returns over time than you might earn in a unit trust that takes on more risk.
  • You only want to invest for about one year.

For more information on the Allan Gray Interest Fund, including past performance and costs, you can view the factsheet here.

You're ready
to invest

You have completed the journey to find an investment that’s suitable for you. This is what you have told us:

  1. You have chosen a
  2. You have chosen the
Invest now Need more help?

While this information is meant to help you, it does not take the place of good, independent advice that is tailored to your specific needs and circumstances. If you are not comfortable making your own investment decisions and feel that you could benefit from financial advice, we can help you find an independent financial adviser.

Not sure you've made the right decisions? You can always restart the process. Alternatively, go to www.allangray.co.za to see our full range of investment options, including specialist accounts and unit trusts.

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Invest via Allan Gray Go

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The content and information may not be reproduced or distributed without the prior written consent of Allan Gray Pty Ltd (Allan Gray).
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1.2
2 Choose an
account
2.1
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2.3
3 Choose a
unit trust
3.1
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4 How to invest
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The financial services, products or investments referred to on this website are not available to persons resident in jurisdictions where their availability or distribution would contravene local laws or regulations and the information on this website is not intended for use by these persons. This website is for information only and does not in any way constitute a solicitation or offer by Allan Gray Proprietary Limited or any of its associates or subsidiaries (collectively “Allan Gray”) to buy or sell any financial instruments or to provide any investment advice or service.

By selecting one of the countries below I confirm that I have read and understood the above and that:

(a) I am not a South African citizen; or 
(b) I do not reside in the Republic of South Africa; or 
(c) I am not otherwise a person to whom the communication of the information contained in this website is prohibited by the laws of my home jurisdiction; and 
(d) I am not acting for the benefit of any such persons mentioned in (a),(b) and (c) and 
(e) I confirm that any investment with Allan Gray is based on my own initiative and not due to any offer or solicitation by Allan Gray.

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