What Happens When A GEPF Member Dies
What happens When A GEPF Member Dies
Are you heartbroken upon the death of your loved one and do not know what to do or how to go about raising money for funeral expenses? Worry less if only the deceased is a member of the Government Employee Pension Fund who has always paid his contribution to the association when he was alive.
About GEPF
Is a defined benefit fund that manages pensions and other related benefits on behalf of government employees in South Africa. It originated in 1996 and it is one of the largest pension funds in Africa and the world at large. Its current benefits structure offers members;
- Withdrawal benefits
- Retirement benefits
- Ill-health or Disability benefits and
- Death benefits
READ HERE: What is the minimum pension amount?
When A GEPF Pensioners Dies
When a GEPF member dies, the GEPF contributes to the funeral costs by indemnifying funeral benefits. And if the pensioner dies within five years of retiring or is discharged from duty, the Government Employee Pension Fund pays a balance of the retirement or discharge annuities to the beneficiaries. Please refer to information on Death within five years of retirement.
Also if the pensioner leaves behind a spouse, life partner, or orphaned children they will be qualified for monthly pension benefits. Please refer to the details under spouse’s annuity and orphan’s annuity.
Funeral Benefits
This benefit consists of R15 000 for the funeral of the pensioner who has died. This amount is also payable for the funeral of a qualified child, the benefit is R6 000. Wherever possible, the Government Employee Pension fund tries to pay these benefits within 72 hours of receiving the application. The benefit is paid out as a cash lump sum and is taxable
Spouse’s Annuity
This is paid to a surviving spouse, including an eligible life partner. If there is more than one eligible spouse, the annuity is been shared equally among them. The spouse’s annuity is a lifelong monthly pension and is not affected by re-marriage
For more clarification on how to go about claiming the funeral benefit do not hesitate to visit the official website for more updates on how to go about the procedures