Quick Facts

• Low-cost investment fund with 0.35% annual fee
• Start investing from R10,000 lump sum or R500 monthly
• 70% invested in shares for long-term growth
• Regulated by FSCA for your protection
• Suitable for 5+ years investment time

1. What is the Sygnia Skeleton 70 Fund?

The Sygnia Skeleton 70 Fund is an investment fund for South Africans. It helps you grow your money over time. The fund is managed by Sygnia, a trusted company regulated by FSCA.

What “70” means: The fund invests 70% of your money in shares. Shares are pieces of companies that can grow in value. The other 30% goes into safer investments like bonds and cash.

Who manages your money: Professional investment managers at Sygnia make decisions about where your money goes. They follow strict rules to protect your investment.

Key features as of December 2025:

• Fund size: Over R8.7 billion from many investors
• Investment style: Index tracking (follows market performance)
• Regulation 28 compliant: Safe for retirement savings
• Global exposure: Invests in South African and international shares

2. How Does the Fund Work?

Understanding how your money is invested helps you make smart decisions.

Investment Mix (December 2025)

Asset Type	Percentage	What It Means
Shares (Equities)	70%	High growth potential, higher risk
Bonds	15%	Medium growth, lower risk
Money Market	15%	Stable, like a savings account

Risk Level

The Sygnia Skeleton 70 Fund has a medium-to-high risk level. This means your investment value can go up and down. Over 5+ years, it aims to grow more than safer investments.

Who Should Consider This Fund?

• People saving for retirement (5+ years away)
• Investors who want higher growth potential
• Those comfortable with market ups and downs
• Anyone wanting low-cost professional management

3. Costs and Fees (December 2025)

Understanding all costs helps you know exactly what you pay.

Sygnia’s Fees

Fee Type	Cost	When You Pay
Initial Fee	R0 (Free)	Never
Management Fee	0.35% per year	Monthly (automatic)
Other Expenses	0.05% per year	Monthly (automatic)
VAT	0.06%	Monthly (automatic)
Total (TER)	0.46% per year	All included

Real Cost Example

If you invest R10,000, your annual fees are approximately R46. This is one of the lowest fees in South Africa.

If you invest R100,000, your annual fees are approximately R460.

Optional Financial Adviser Fees

If you use a financial adviser, they may charge extra fees. These are negotiable and not required. Sygnia does not provide financial advice.

• Maximum initial fee: 3% of investment amount
• Maximum annual fee: 1% per year
• You can invest without an adviser and pay no adviser fees

✅ 4. Who Can Invest? Requirements

Minimum Investment

• Lump sum: R10,000 minimum
• Monthly debit order: R500 minimum
• No maximum investment limit

Who Can Invest

• South African residents (any age)
• Foreign nationals with valid passports
• Companies and trusts
• Retirement funds and pension funds

Documents You Need (FICA Requirements)

For individuals:

• Copy of South African ID or Smart ID card
• Valid passport (if you’re not South African)
• Proof of address (not older than 3 months)
• Bank account details

Acceptable proof of address: Municipal bill, bank statement, lease agreement, or utility bill.

5. How to Invest: Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps to start investing in the Sygnia Skeleton 70 Fund:

Step 1: Choose Your Investment Method

You have three options:

• Direct investment: Open a Sygnia Direct Investment account
• Through your employer: Via your company retirement fund
• Retirement annuity: For personal retirement savings

Step 2: Apply Online or Call

Online application:

1. Visit www.sygnia.co.za
2. Click on “Products” then “Direct Investment”
3. Select “Apply Now”
4. Complete the online form
5. Upload your documents

Phone application:

• Call: 0860 794 642 (0860 SYGNIA)
• Available: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
• A consultant will guide you through the process

Email enquiries:

• Email: admin@sfs.sygnia.co.za
• Response time: Within 48 hours during business hours

Step 3: Complete Your Application

Fill in these details:

• Personal information
• Contact details
• Bank account information
• Investment amount and frequency
• Beneficiary details (who gets your money if something happens)

Step 4: Make Your First Investment

Once your account is approved:

• Sygnia sends you banking details
• Transfer money via EFT or debit order
• Your investment starts within 3-5 business days

Step 5: Track Your Investment

After investing:

• Log in to Sygnia Alchemy Online Portal
• View your investment balance anytime
• Download statements
• Make changes to debit orders

⚠️ 6. Risks and Important Information

Every investment has risks. Understanding them helps you make smart decisions.

Main Risks

1. Market risk: Share prices go up and down. Your investment value changes daily.

2. Currency risk: The fund invests internationally. Rand strength affects returns.

3. Inflation risk: Your returns might not beat rising living costs.

4. Economic risk: South African and global economies affect performance.

Important Facts (December 2025)

• No capital guarantee: Your investment can lose value
• Past performance: Previous gains don’t promise future returns
• Minimum time: Recommended 5+ years investment period
• Withdrawal: Allowed anytime, but may impact long-term growth
• Tax: You pay tax on dividends and capital gains

Regulation 28 Compliance

The Sygnia Skeleton 70 Fund complies with Regulation 28. This means it’s safe for:

• Retirement annuities
• Pension funds
• Provident funds
• Preservation funds

Regulation 28 protects retirement savings by limiting risky investments. This fund follows all 2025 rules.

7. Alternative Investment Options

The Sygnia Skeleton 70 Fund is excellent for many investors. However, you should know about alternatives.

Other Sygnia Options

Sygnia Skeleton 40 Fund: 40% in shares. Lower risk, suitable for 2+ years.

Sygnia Skeleton 60 Fund: 60% in shares. Medium risk, balanced approach.

All three Skeleton Funds have the same low fees (0.35% management fee).

Competing Investment Platforms

Platform	Best For	Minimum
EasyEquities	Individual shares, fractional investing	R10
SatrixNOW	Index funds and ETFs	No minimum
Allan Gray	Active fund management, research	R500 monthly
10X Investments	Retirement annuities, low fees	R500 monthly
Old Mutual	Comprehensive financial services	Varies

How to Choose

Consider these factors:

• Fees: Lower fees mean more money stays invested
• Minimum investment: What can you afford monthly?
• Investment options: Do you want choices or simplicity?
• Service: Do you need help making decisions?
• Time horizon: How long until you need the money?

🚨 8. Investment Scam Warnings (December 2025)

Investment fraud is rising in South Africa. Scammers target people looking for good returns. Protect yourself by knowing the warning signs.

Common Investment Scams

1. Telegram and WhatsApp investment groups:

• Scammers create fake groups claiming huge returns
• They impersonate legitimate companies like Sygnia
• They pressure you to invest quickly
• Real investment companies don’t use Telegram for client business

2. Ponzi schemes:

• Promise unrealistic returns (30%+ per month)
• Pay early investors with new investors’ money
• Examples in 2024-2025: Tiger Agriculture, Farm Home Stead
• Eventually collapse, leaving most people with nothing

3. Fake financial advisers:

• Claim to represent legitimate companies
• Use stolen FSP numbers and logos
• Request payments via cryptocurrency or untraceable methods
• Pressure you to act immediately

Red Flags – Warning Signs

Be immediately suspicious if:

• Returns sound too good to be true (they are!)
• Someone contacts you unsolicited on social media
• They pressure you to invest “now” or “today”
• They ask for payment via cryptocurrency
• They can’t explain how returns are generated
• You need to recruit others to earn money
• They have no verifiable physical address
• Documents look fake or unprofessional

How to Protect Yourself

Always verify before investing:

1. Check FSCA website: www.fsca.co.za
2. Search for the company’s FSP number
3. Call FSCA directly: 0800 110 443
4. Contact the company using official website details (not contact info the “adviser” gives you)
5. Never invest based solely on social media messages

Verify Sygnia Communications

If someone claims to be from Sygnia:

• Call Sygnia directly: 0860 794 642
• Email: admin@sfs.sygnia.co.za
• Check Sygnia’s FSP number: FSP 873
• Verify on FSCA website: www.fsca.co.za

What to Do If You’re Scammed

1. Report to FSCA: 0800 110 443 or www.fsca.co.za
2. Ethics hotline: 0800 313 626 or fsca@behonest.co.za
3. Report to police: Commercial Crimes Unit
4. Contact your bank: They may block or reverse payments
5. Warn others: Share your experience to protect friends and family

Recent 2025 scam warnings: FSCA has warned about fake investment groups impersonating Visio Fund Management, Prescient Investment Management, and others. Always verify independently.

The Sygnia Skeleton 70 Fund is a solid choice for South Africans investing for 5+ years. It offers professional management at very low fees.

This fund is suitable if you:

• Have R10,000 to invest or can save R500 monthly
• Don’t need this money for 5+ years
• Want low fees and professional management
• Can handle market ups and downs
• Prefer a simple, hands-off investment

Consider alternatives if you:

• Want lower risk (try Skeleton 40 instead)
• Have less than R10,000 (try EasyEquities or SatrixNOW)
• Need money in less than 5 years (use savings account)
• Want to pick individual shares yourself

Next steps:

1. Review your budget and investment goals
2. Gather required documents
3. Call Sygnia at 0860 794 642 or visit www.sygnia.co.za
4. Start with an amount you’re comfortable with
5. Monitor your investment quarterly