What is Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA)?

Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA) is a licensed mutual insurer that provides workers’ compensation cover for employers in the mining, iron, steel and related metal industries in South Africa under COIDA.

Who must submit an RMA Return of Earnings?

Employers operating in the mining, iron, steel and related industries covered by RMA must submit an annual Return of Earnings to declare their total employee earnings for assessment purposes.

When is the RMA Return of Earnings deadline?

The RMA Return of Earnings submission period typically opens on 1 March and closes on 31 March each year. Employers must submit within this window to avoid penalties.

What happens if I do not submit my Return of Earnings?

Failure to submit your Return of Earnings may result in penalties, estimated assessments, interest charges and the inability to obtain a Letter of Good Standing, which can affect tenders and contracts.

Can Admin Boss assist with RMA Return of Earnings submissions?

Yes. Admin Boss assists businesses across South Africa with accurate and affordable RMA Return of Earnings submissions, ensuring compliance and on-time filing to avoid penalties.

Understanding Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA) Return of Earnings in South Africa

Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA) 📑 is a specialized workers’ compensation insurer in South Africa. It operates under the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) much like the national Compensation Fund. In fact, RMA is a licensed non-profit mutual assurance company owned by its policyholders. It was established in 1894 and is dedicated to “caring, compassionate compensation” for injured workers. RMA only covers certain industries (see below), so if your business is in the mining, metals or related sector, you’ll need to register with RMA and file an annual Return of Earnings (ROE).

What is RMA? 🏢

RMA stands for Rand Mutual Assurance. It is essentially a workmen’s compensation insurer that covers workplace injuries and diseases for specific industries. RMA functions very much like a mutual insurance fund – it collects levies (premiums) from employers and pays out claims when employees get hurt on the job. As a non-profit, mutual assurance company, RMA is owned by its policyholders (the registered companies). The company has been around for over 120 years and focuses on ensuring injured workers and their families receive benefits under COIDA.

In practice, registering with RMA means your employees are covered for accidents or occupational diseases at work. RMA processes compensation claims just like the Compensation Fund does for other industries. However, RMA only serves certain sectors (see below), while other employers use the Compensation Fund or other insurers. Think of RMA as the dedicated compensation “safety net” for its member industries.

Which industries are covered by RMA? 🏭

RMA only applies to employers whose main business falls into certain high-risk industries. Specifically, Class IV (mining) and Class XIII (iron, steel, metal and related industries) are handled by RMA. This includes:

Mining and quarrying (Class IV) – e.g. gold, platinum or other mines. 🏔️
Metal and steel manufacturing (Class XIII) – e.g. iron works, steel mills. 🏭
Related industries like galvanizing, factories producing artificial limbs, motor garages, and metal product manufacturing.

In short, if your core business is mining or the metals/steel industry (including any of the extensive sub‐categories in Class XIII), you must deal with RMA. (Employers outside these classes use the Compensation Fund or other mutuals.) RMA expanded in 2015 to include many Class XIII employers. When in doubt, check the Department of Labour’s list or RMA’s site to see if your business classifies under RMA.

When is the deadline for submission? 📅

Each year, registered employers must file their RMA Return of Earnings during the RMA assessment window. RMA opens the ROE submission period on 1 March and closes on 31 March of each year. For example, RMA’s notice for 2024 earnings set the submission window as 1–31 March 2025. Filing outside this period incurs penalties. In practice, you should gather your annual payroll figures and submit them via RMA’s online portal (or by email/post if needed) between 1 and 31 March every year.

It’s important to note that RMA will not issue a Letter of Good Standing (LOGS) if you fail to file or pay on time. A Letter of Good Standing is often required to bid on government tenders or contracts, so missing the deadline can hurt your business opportunities. In short, mark your calendar for early March and file your ROE promptly to stay compliant.

How is the RMA premium calculated? 💰

RMA premiums (often called “assessments”) are based on your total declared earnings and your industry’s risk classification. In effect, RMA multiplies the wage bill of all employees by an industry-specific rate (the classification tariff) to get the base premium. Then it adds a small administration fee or minimum levy as required by law. In plain terms:

Industry classification (risk rate) 📊 – RMA assigns a “class” and tariff based on your business type. Higher-risk industries pay higher rates. For example, a heavy steel factory may have a higher rate than a light metal workshop.
Total earnings declared 💰 – You submit the sum of all salaries, wages and benefits paid in the year. That total is multiplied by the class rate to compute the premium.
Minimum admin levy – By COIDA law, there’s a minimum charge so RMA recovers basic admin costs. Even a small payroll will incur at least this minimum fee.

If you have any provisional pay figures, you file those first (at registration or year-start) and then update with actual earnings after year-end. RMA will then issue an invoice (Notice of Assessment) for the premium owed. Pay it in full (or set up an installment plan) to obtain your annual Letter of Good Standing.

Important to note

Before your company can register with RMA, the company needs to be registered at the department of labour for COIDA and have a valid CF number.

What happens if you don’t submit your ROE? ⚠️

Failing to file the ROE is risky business. RMA (and the Labour Department) take timely submissions seriously. Here’s what can happen:

Penalties and fines – Late submission or non-submission typically leads to penalties. RMA may charge a late-filing fee or interest on the amount due.
Estimated assessment – If you miss the deadline, RMA can estimate your earnings (often on the high side) and bill you accordingly. This could mean paying far more than you owe.
No Letter of Good Standing – Without a current ROE on file (and payment), you cannot get an RMA Letter of Good Standing. That can block you from government contracts or tenders, and even expose you to legal liability if someone gets hurt at work.
Compliance risk – Not filing breaks COIDA regulations, which could lead to enforcement action. Employers are legally required to declare earnings under COIDA each year.

In short, skipping the ROE can trigger hefty fees, audits, or legal headaches. It’s much safer (and cheaper) to file on time.

How Admin Boss can assist with your ROE 🤝

AdminBoss offers affordable, reliable support to handle your RMA ROE filing from start to finish. Here’s how we help:

Expert guidance – We know exactly which industries must register for RMA and how to classify your business. We’ll tell you if you need RMA or the Compensation Fund, and we walk you through the process.
Accurate calculations – Our team will compile your wage data and ensure all earnings are correctly declared. We aim for 100% accuracy so your assessment is fair.
On-time submission – We handle the paperwork or online forms for you, and we file the ROE within the RMA window. You won’t miss the deadline, because we prioritize accuracy and timeliness in compliance.
Affordable service – We charge competitive fees and focus on cost-effective solutions. Many clients find that using our service saves money by avoiding penalties and by getting the assessment right the first time.
End-to-end compliance – Beyond the ROE, AdminBoss helps with COIDA/CF registration, Letters of Good Standing, and related compliance tasks. We simplify the annual process so you can focus on running your business.

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Above all, Admin Boss is known for being reliable and client-focused. Our team “prioritizes accuracy and timeliness to ensure your business meets all regulatory requirements”. Partnering with us means you have a knowledgeable compliance partner who takes care of the admin, leaving you stress-free and confident.

Rand Mutual Assurance return of earnings