EPPF’s Chief Investment Officer, Sonja Saunderson, participated in the Sanlam Benchmark 2026 event, where industry leaders examined how the retirement industry can improve long-term outcomes for members.

In her contribution, Saunderson emphasised that retirement outcomes are shaped by far more than investment performance alone. She highlighted the importance of viewing contribution behaviour, preservation decisions, and retirement income choices as part of an interconnected system that ultimately determines a member’s financial journey over time.

A key theme of her message was the growing importance of financial wellness in supporting better long-term outcomes. She noted that members’ financial well-being is influenced by a range of decisions made throughout their working lives, often at critical moments such as job changes or access to retirement savings. These moments, if not supported appropriately, can have a lasting impact on long-term financial security. Her remarks reinforced the importance of ensuring that members are supported with the right information, guidance and context at the points where financial decisions matter most.

Within this context, EPPF’s approach is centred on strengthening financial wellness as a core enabler of better retirement outcomes. This includes recognising that members require more than standalone financial information; they need meaningful support that helps them understand the long-term implications of their choices and encourages more informed decision-making throughout their financial journey.

Saunderson’s perspective reinforced a broader shift in the industry towards more member-centric thinking, where pension funds are increasingly recognising the importance of supporting financial wellbeing throughout a member’s working life, not only at the point of retirement.

She also highlighted the need for a more integrated approach to retirement funding, where governance, investment thinking and member outcomes are considered together rather than in isolation. This reflects a growing recognition that long-term success is defined not only by financial performance, but by the quality and sustainability of member outcomes over time.

The discussion formed part of a wider industry dialogue at the Sanlam Benchmark 2026 event on improving retirement outcomes in a complex and evolving economic environment.

Readers can learn more about the Sanlam Benchmark 2026 event on the official platform. This discussion was also covered by Citywire.