Former public servants urged to claim unpaid pensions

Monday, July 30, 2018

Former public servants and their beneficiaries have been urged to apply for their unclaimed pension benefits.

On 31 May 2018, the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA) reported it had 17 271 cases of unclaimed benefits while 26 919 cases remained unpaid. The GPAA administers the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF).

The Department of Public Service and Administration is, according to the Public Service Act, responsible for the determination of any conditions of services generally or categories of employees including salary scales and allowances for particular categories of employees in the public service. Pension is included in the definition of conditions of service.

The department in a statement on Monday said it had an obligation to communicate on the conclusion and/or existence of these conditions of services to employees in the public service as well as to former employees.

This includes pension benefits and pay-outs.

“[Public Service and Administration Minister Ayanda Dlodlo] therefore encourages all relevant stakeholders including the GEPF, GPAA, Premiers of all the provinces, Department of Home Affairs, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), traditional leaders and labour unions to alert former public servants and their beneficiaries to apply for these unclaimed pension benefits,” the department said.

The Minister also urged the affected former public servants to apply for their unclaimed benefits at their closest regional walk-in centres of the Government Employees Pensions Fund.

Families of a deceased former public servants would have to contact the GEPF to ascertain whether they are entitled to any unclaimed pension benefits. – SAnews.gov.za