GEPF
What happens
if a member dies within five years of retirement?
A
pension (or annuity) for the rest
indicate who should get the
of their lives.
benefits.
Dr Rakgwatha Mokou, Man-
“Active members and pension-
ager of Media and External
ers are encouraged to commu-
Stakeholder Relations at GPAA,
nicate with their families about
explains in more detail. “If a pen-
pension matters to ensure that
sioner is still alive after the first
when they pass on, their families
five years of retirement, the fund
or beneficiaries know exactly
continues to pay the monthly
what to do. They should also
ctive Government
the eligible spouse and/or
pension, but not from the
regularly update their personal
Employees Pen-
beneficiaries of the deceased
pensioner’s contributions, which
details and nomination form.”
sion Fund (GEPF)
pensioner.
would have been depleted. This
members are encouraged to
To put it simply, if a member
According to Mokou, spouses
is one of the non-contributory
and beneficiaries are required
inform their families about
dies 12 months after retiring
benefits to GEPF members,”
to inform the GEPF if a member
the fund’s five-year guarantee
and received R20 000 in pen-
says Mokou.
passes on within five years of
period rule.
sion a month, the remaining
If a member passes on after
retirement. This will also help
48 months’ payments will be
five years of retirement, there
ensure the speedy pay-out of
sions Administration Agency
paid out as a lump sum: 48
will be no five-year balance pay-
the funeral benefit.
(GPAA), which administers
months x R20 000 = R960
able. This is because the mem-
pensions on behalf of the
000.
ber’s funds would have been
ies to know that there is an
depleted, says Mokou. In this
amount of R15 000 that the
The Government Pen-
GEPF, says it is important that
Thereafter, the spouse will
“It is important for beneficiar-
in the event of the death of
receive a smaller monthly
case, only the monthly spousal
fund pays out at the death of a
a GEPF member, their loved
spousal pension.
pension will be paid.
pensioner or member to assist
He cautions that the five-year
ones know what to do. A GEPF member’s annuity
20
By: Daniel Bugan
with the funeral arrangements.
rule does not apply to active
Dependents also qualify for the
members, but only to those who
funeral benefit.”
is guaranteed for 60 months
Pension for life
after retirement. The five-year
GEPF members who have
have retired. However, should
guarantee rule prescribes that
under 10 years of service
the member pass on while still
tion forms from GEPF offices
should a member pass on
receive a once-off lump sum
in active service, beneficiaries
near them, the GEPF website
within five years of retirement,
on retirement, while those
will receive death benefits.
or from the HR office of any
the GEPF will pay the balance
with more than 10 years of
Mokou urges members to
of the annuities that were
service receive a once-off
complete a nomination form
They can also call 0800 117 669
guaranteed for five years to
payment and a monthly
(WP102) while in service to
or email enquiries@gepf.co.za
Beneficiaries can get applica-
government office near them.
Public Sector Manager • June 2022
