Pension pay-out misery for Desmond
According to Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), it takes from four to 12 weeks for the GEPF to pay out after resignation, provided your tax affairs are in order.
DESMOND Magee (65) from The Hill is a frustrated man due to non-payment of his pension fund, which is now six months overdue.
He worked at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital’s mortuary for over 42 years. He said he was told that he needed to retire last year in August.
“In July last year my employer told me that I need to retire as I would be 65 years old. Then I finished working there in August last year. However, until now I haven’t had a cent of my pension fund or at least my monthly contribution in order to survive.
“I have personally sent every document needed for my pension pay-out, but nothing has materialised.
“Together with my mother-in-law we live in a rented cottage and we haven’t paid rent in as many months. We are about to be evicted. I don’t know where to go or what to do now. All I need is my money or the date when will I get it. At one time I was told there are over 2 500 applicants waiting for their pension. However, that is no excuse not to pay my money,” he said.
When the COURIER contacted Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital’s HR department, Salary Benefit and Termination, they said there are several reasons why the pay-out is sometimes delayed.
“Normally it will take a maximum of three months, depending on your cooperation with the office. If you took long to submit some relevant documents, the system might kick you out and the process might take six to 10 months. We advise the applicant to come to our Soweto, Diepkloof, Zone 6, Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital HR department, Salary Benefit and Termination offices to get help,” they said.
According to Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), it takes from four to 12 weeks for the GEPF to pay out after resignation, provided your tax affairs are in order. Also in a pension fund, at least two thirds of the final benefit must be paid as a pension for the rest of the pensioners’ life. A maximum of one third of the final benefit may be taken as a once-off lump sum or cash payment.
In Desmond’s case, he did not resign. He was asked to retire. So, according to him, this process should have been concluded by now.
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