1. What is the PPFM?It stands for the Principles and Practices of Financial Management. It is a document that all long-term insurers managing discretionary participation business are required to publish and make available to policyholders in terms of the Financial Services Board Directive 147.A.
The PPFM describes two things:
2. What is discretionary participation business?Discretionary participation business is essentially business where policyholders participate in the returns earned, and where the insurer has discretion in some key areas that affect policy benefits, such as how the assets backing the policies are invested, how bonuses are declared and how termination values are calculated. Most typically, discretionary participation business includes smoothed bonus-type business.
3. Are these new principles and practices that Old Mutual has put into place?No, Old Mutual has always managed its discretionary participation business according to sound principles and with consideration of the interests of policyholders. These principles were formalised internally in 1993, and again at Old Mutual's demutualisation in 1999. The PPFM is consistent with these previously agreed principles and practices.
4. Why has Old Mutual produced and published the PPFM?In the interest of greater transparency and of good governance, which Old Mutual supports, the Financial Services Board has made it a requirement that all insurance companies writing discretionary participation business need to publish a document detailing the principles and practices that are applied in the management of this business.
5. Is this a change to my existing contract?No. The PPFM does not in any way add to or amend any aspect of your contract with Old Mutual. It is simply an explanation of principles and practices that are applied in the management of your funds in order to aid you in your investment decision-making and understanding.
6. What happens if I disagree with something in the PPFM?Old Mutual always considers the interests of policyholders when exercising its discretion. The practices that ensure this are detailed in the PPFM. The details in the PPFM are intended to provide greater information to customers making investment decisions, and are fully in accordance with the requirements of the various elements of regulation governing our business.
If a Retail client is not happy with any specific practice relating to their policy, they are able to raise this with Old Mutual via the normal complaints process detailed in their new business policy quotation or contract.
If a Corporate client is not happy with any specific practice relating to their policy, they are able to raise this with Old Mutual using any of the contact details provided here.
7. Where can I find out more?If you are an Old Mutual Retail client and require additional information, click here to access the full PPFM document as well as summaries thereof on our website. Alternatively, you can direct any questions to your Financial Adviser or Broker.
If you are an Old Mutual Corporate client and require additional information, click here to access the full PPFM document as well as summaries thereof on our website. Alternatively, you can direct any questions to your Old Mutual Consultant or Broker, or contact us using any of the contact details provided here.
8. Do other companies also have this PPFM document?Yes. All companies writing discretionary participation business are required to publish their Principles and Practices of Financial Management by 1 January 2008.
9. How can I know that Old Mutual doesn’t use its discretion to benefit its shareholders at my expense?One of the purposes of the PPFM document is to highlight the various practices in place that ensure that Old Mutual upholds the principle of considering the interests of policyholders at all times. This has always been a cornerstone of Old Mutual’s principles and practices of financial management.
10. Why did Old Mutual not show me this before I bought my policy?The requirement to publish a PPFM document only became effective on 1 January 2008. Companies were previously not required to publish this document. It is not an addition or amendment to your policy contract, but merely a description of existing principles and practices that Old Mutual applies in the management of its discretionary participation business.
11. What if the PPFM changes?If the PPFM document changes, Old Mutual will publish an updated version on its website at www.oldmutual.co.za.
12. Which Old Mutual Retail products are covered by the PPFM?All business invested in any of the following funds is covered by the PPFM.
Max Investments:
Max Income:
Investment Frontiers:
Galaxy:
Investment Horizons:
Essential Savings:
Nedbank 10:
Greenlight Savings Benefit:
Flexi:
Performance Profits business:
Conventional:
Performance Profits business:
Guaranteed Capital Fund:
13. Which Old Mutual Group Schemes products are covered by the PPFM?All products invested in the Group Schemes Savings or the Group Schemes GrowPlan portfolios are covered by the PPFM.
These products include:
14. Which Old Mutual Corporate products are covered by the PPFM?All business invested in any of the following funds is covered by the PPFM.
Pre-Retirement Investments – Smoothed Bonus and Absolute Growth Funds including:
Post-Retirement Investments – With-Profit Annuity Funds including:
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