INDUSTRY RECOGNITION/ AWARDS 

The Institute of Retirement Funds (IRF) is a non political body which represents and
promotes the interests of the retirement industry in Southern Africa, to the ultimate benefit of the members of retirement funds. The most important function of the IRF is to represent the retirement industry in negotiations with government authorities and the Financial Services Board (FSB), which would include commenting on legislation and tax matters affecting retirement funds/pensioners and all stakeholders.

In order to encourage retirement funds to communicate with their members the IRF instituted an annual communication competition to recognise and reward excellence in retirement fund communication. The competition was started in the 80s and since then the emphasis has moved from recognition of communication to rewarding funds for world-class communication efforts that empower members to truly understand the workings of their retirement fund.

Funds compete in different categories i.e. Large, Medium, Small and Umbrella.

The judges comprise a mixture of industry experts, academics and communication
specialists.

62 Awards won over career of 35 years

In a career spanning 35 years Estie van Coller, first in her personal capacity, and from 2007 as owner and Managing Director of RetirementWise, has won 62 Industry Best Practice Awards for 16 different funds she so passionately assist and advises on member communication strategies.

Her ISASA and TSRF clients have won awards at the IRFA for 10 years in a row (from 2014 to 2024).

In fact for the last ten years her industry experience and in-depth knowledge of the funds she collaborates with has resulted in her writing entries for the funds on infrastructure development, empowerment and investments and not only on member communication.