Death in service gratuity 

This gratuity is paid to your nominated beneficiaries as a once-off cash lump sum.  

How can your beneficiaries access the gratuity?

This depends on whether or not you completed a Beneficiary Nomination Form (WP1002) before your death. 

If an up-to-date form was completed and the beneficiaries are 18 years or older, they must:

• Complete the Banking Particulars form (Z894), and
• Provide certified copies of their identity document. 

If a form was completed but the beneficiaries are younger than 18, the GEPF needs:

• Certified copies (not older than six months) of the beneficiaries’ birth certificates;
• A guardian letter; and
• A certified copy (not older than six months) of the guardian’s green bar-coded identity document. 

If there is no valid beneficiary nomination form, the GEPF may divide and award the gratuity among the beneficiaries according to the rules of the Fund. 

Spouse’s annuity 

A spouse’s annuity is paid on the death of a member whose potential service period is at least 10 years. (This means that the actual pensionable service period plus the unexpired years before normal retirement must add up to 10 years or more.) 

If there is more than one eligible spouse, the annuity is shared equally among them. The spouse’s annuity is a lifelong monthly pension and is not affected by remarriage. 

How can your spouse access the annuity?

The spouse needs to fill in the Application for Spouse Pension (form Z143) and submit it to the GEPF together with the following documents:

• A certified copy (not older than six months) of his or her green bar-coded identity document;
• A certified copy (not older than six months) of the pensioner’s Death Certificate;
• A certified copy (not older than six months) of the pensioner’s green bar-coded ID document or passport and confirmation of death by the Department of Home Affairs;
• A certified copy (not older than six months) of the Marriage Certificate (Religious, Customary Union or Civil) as issued by Home Affairs. Alternatively, the spouse can provide proof of marriage by means of a certified copy of a Customary Union Certificate, Hindu Certificate or Lobola affidavit and confirmation of the customary union by representatives from both families. 

Orphan’s annuity 

This benefit is paid when both the member and the spouse have died, leaving eligible orphans. This is a monthly pension that is paid to the orphan or to the legal guardian or caregiver.  

How can your orphaned child access the annuity?

The GEPF needs the following documents to process an orphan’s application:

• The appointment letter of the guardian or caregiver;
• If the orphan is a full-time student, proof of this from the tertiary institution concerned (proof is needed for each year from the date the child was orphaned to the date of application);
• A certified copy (not older than six months) of the orphan’s birth certificate (certificates are needed for all orphans); and
• If an orphan is over the age of 16, a certified copy (not older than six months) of the child’s green bar-coded identity document. 

If you die while in service or after retiring, the GEPF will contribute to the funeral costs. The funeral benefit is also paid if your spouse, approved life partner or an eligible child dies.  

This benefit consists of R7 500 for the funeral of the member or the member’s spouse or life partner. For the funeral of an eligible child, the benefit is R3 000. 

Wherever possible, the GEPF tries to pay this benefit within 72 hours of receiving the application. The benefit is paid out as a cash lump sum and is taxable. 

How can you or your family access the funeral benefits?

The funeral benefit can either be paid into the applicant’s bank account or to the Post Office.  

Please note that if the funeral benefit must be paid into a bank, the claim must be posted or hand-delivered to the GEPF. If the money is going to be paid into the Post Office, the claim must be faxed or emailed.

 To process and pay funeral benefits, the GEPF needs the following documents: 

• A fully completed Funeral Benefit Claim form (Z300);
• A correct and completed banking details form (Z894);
• Certified copies (not older than six months) of the green bar-coded ID or passport of the applicant AND the person who has died;
• An original certified copy of the Death Certificate;
• If the spouse has died, proof of marriage;
• If a child has died, a certified copy (not older than six months) of his or her green bar-coded ID, passport or birth certificate (in the case of a minor child);
• If a disabled child aged 18 or older dies, medical proof of disability; and
• If a child aged 18 or older dies while a student, proof of student registration. 

Please note: if a child aged 18 or older is claiming the funeral benefit, the GEPF needs proof of the relationship to the deceased member or pensioner. 

Death after retiring 

• The GEPF will contribute to your funeral costs by paying funeral benefits.
• Your beneficiaries will receive a death gratuity (a once-off cash lump sum).
• If you die within five yours of retiring or being discharged, the GEPF will pay the balance of your retirement or discharge annuities to your beneficiaries.
• If you leave behind a spouse, life partner or orphaned children, they will qualify for monthly pension benefits if you have 10 years or more of pensionable service. (Details are under Spouse’s annuity and Orphan’s annuity.)