The Association came to be following the promulgation of the Pension and Provident Funds Act in 1976 with Mr. J.S. Robins of Rio Tinto spear heading the call for a meeting to which he invited all interested parties, composed mainly of self administered pension funds, to seek recognition by Government as the sole and authentic body representing the Pension Funds Industry. At that inaugural meeting Mr. Robins pointed out that both in the UK and RSA pension funds had come together to speak with one voice in representing both employers and employees on issues which impact on retirement, ill-health, disability and generally in service employee benefits. These founding fathers drew up a constitution in which the objectives of the Association are:

• to provide and protect the interest of its members
• to collect, collate, circulate and exchange information which will be of service and interest to the members and to
  assist and further the development of pension and provident funds as well as
• to do all such lawful things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the objectives of the Association or as may appear to be in the interest of its members.

• to provide and protect the interest of its members
• to collect, collate, circulate and exchange information which will be of service and interest to the members and to
  assist and further the development of pension and provident funds as well as
• to do all such lawful things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the objectives of the Association or as may appear to be in the interest of its members.