Frequently Asked Questions

Q How do I obtain the necessary forms for all benefits
A GEPF can fax, mail or e-mail all the forms to you or it can be printed from the website: www.gepf.co.za

Q I am a GEPF pensioner and have been living in South Africa and now I am relocating overseas. How do I arrange to sign my pension life certificate while I am overseas?
A Please notify the GEPF of your address change. In future, we'll send your life certificate to your overseas address. You can then complete the form as you would normally do, and return the original to us. You could also fax a copy of the certificate to us before mailing it.

Q When I retired, I never received my unpaid leave owning to me from the GEPF. How do I go about to claim this benefit?
A Please contact your employer as they deal with leave gratuities. These are not paid out simultaneously with your pension payout from the GEPF. The GEPF only handles pension-related matters.

Q I retired six years ago and became a pensioner of the GEPF. I have never received any newsletters from the GEPF. Please inform me what the frequency of your newsletter is, as well as where I can obtain pas copies from.
A The GEPF pensioner newsletter (GEPF News) is published quarterly. You may request a copy of the newsletter from: Private Bag X09, Arcadia, 0007

Q I need to complete my tax assessment in time for the Receiver of Revenue. I am still awaiting an IRP5 document. Could you kindly tell me how to obtain my IRP5 certificate?
A You can contact the GEPF Call Centre at (012) 319-1000 - they are responsible for general enquiries including IRP5 certificates.

Q For the past few years I have received my pension at the Post Office. I need to change from the Post Office to a bank. How do I get my pension paid into my bank account?
A Open an account with any bank in your region. Then you need to complete a Z894 from (which GEPF can fax, mail or e-mail to you) and send the original to us. We will then deposit your pension into your bank account every month.

Q When I die, what should my spouse or beneficiaries do to claim benefits payable to them?
A Your family must complete all necessary documents relating to the death of a pensioner. These forms are available from the GEPF and it include the Spouse application Z143.

Q I have more than one pension number. Which number should I use for correspondence with the GEPF?
A Contact your Human Resources department . They will raise the issue with GEPF to rectify the problem.

Q I recently joined the government sector after working in the private sector. My previous employer did not have a pension scheme. Now that I belong to the GEPF, is there any way in which I can buy back service for the years I worked?
A The GEPF allows members to buy back service until their eighteenth birthday. You have to apply through your Human Resources department. They will submit a written request after completing a Z215 form (application to purchase service) to GEPF. A quotation of the cost will be send to you to decide whether you want to accept it or not.

Q Where can I obtain a Z102 (withdrawal from the Fund) form and a Z143 form (application for a spouse's pension) in advance? Should I then pass away or resign, the respective form can be immediately submitted.
A If you resign, the Z102 form must be submitted by your Human Resources department to GEPF. Should you pass away, your relatives can obtain a Z143 form from your employer, GEPF or its website for the spouse or orphans.

Q What is Actuarial Interest?
A Actuarial Interest is the value of your accrued benefits in the Fund. It is calculated by means of various formulae according to your age. Please refer to your Member booklet for the formulae and look out for articles dealing with this issue.

Q I would like to know how much I have accumulated since I joined the GEPF and added to this, the value of my employer's contributions?
A The accumulated value of contributions made by yourself and your employer are not indicative of the benefits that you will receive. Your benefits will be based on your final average salary and your length of pensionable service.

Q My finances have come to a crises stage and it makes me wonder if I could borrow R10 000 from the GEPF? Can you please help - I need this for my family?
A Unfortunately, the GEPF does not lend money to any member. There are no provisions for loans in the Rules. You cannot withdraw money from the Fund while remaining in service of your employer.

Q What is the difference between a pension fund an provident fund?
A In a pension fund, at least two thirds of the final benefit must be paid as a pension for the rest of the pensioners's life. A maximum of one third of the final benefit may be taken as a lump-sum or cash payment.In a provident fund, the full amount of the benefit available at retirement may be taken as a lump-sum cash payment, irrespective of whether this benefit is calculated on a defined benefit or a defined contribution basis.

Q I have worked for a private company and belonged to a provident fund there. Now that I joined government, is my credit in the fund transferable to the GEPF?
A The Rules of the GEPF do allow for a person who was a member of an approved retirement fund to transfer into the GEPF.

Q Assuming I retire or resign, what are the tax implications on my benefits? Am I going to receive my whole gratuity or only part thereof?
A Tax is payable on your benefits. Annuities are taxed as income. A part of your gratuity will be eligible for tax relief.

Q If I were to be medically boarded, how do I go about claiming my benefits?
A Contact your employer. They will advise you whether or not you qualify and will forward the necessary documentation to GEPF.

Q What is the definition of the words: 'Annuity' and 'Gratuity'?
A An annuity (or pension) is an amount that is paid regularly, e.g. monthly or annually. A gratuity (or lump sum) is a single once-off payment of a benefit. Benefits from the GEPF take the form of an annuity or a gratuity or both.

Q Can I pledge my pension fund as collateral for bond purposes?
A Unfortunately not. The Rules of the Fund do not provide for pledges or collateral.

Q What is my contribution rate and that of my employer?
A Every member contributes to the Fund a rate of 7,5% of his or her pensionable earnings.

Q Please explain the difference between a defined benefit and defined contribution fund.
A A defined benefit fund is a fund where the benefits are defined in terms of the rules. Benefits are generally guaranteed and are not dependent on the investment returns of the fund or on the level of employer contributions. The GEPF is a defined benefit fund.A defined contribution fund is a fund where the benefits are mainly based on accumulation of contributions plus investment returns. Benefits are dependent on the level of bears the risk of poor investment returns in such funds.

Q Is my contribution linked to inflation?
A Your contribution is a percentage of your pensionable salary. If your salary increases, so will your contribution.

Q If I die, how are my benefits distributed and how can I be sure that all my beneficiaries get their rightful share?
A If you die, a lump sum benefits will be divided between your nominated beneficiaries in the proportions indicated by yourself on your nomination of beneficiaries from (WP1002). In addition, a pension is payable to your spouse and not to the other nominated beneficiaries.It is therefore important to nominate beneficiaries and to keep your Nomination of Beneficiaries form (WP1002) up to date; this form is available from your Human Resources department. This ensures that the Trustees of the GEPF knows who you would like to receive your death benefits.

Q How can I find out how much I have contributed to the Fund and why don't we get annual statements showing how much we have contributed to the Fund.
A The GEPF is a defined benefit fund. This means that your benefits are defined in terms of the rules (see the Member Booklet). No benefit payable from the Fund is based on the amount of money that you have contributed to the Fund. Benefits are instead based on your final average salary and your years of pensionable service. However, the distribution of benefit statements on an annual basis, showing each individual's benefit entitlements, is planned for the near future.

Q If I am transferred from one department to the other, do my benefits get added together?
A Yes. Your pensionable service will continue uninterrupted and your benefits will accumulate with service as before.

Q Can I borrow money of withdraw funds from the contributions I have made to the Fund to build a house or settle debts?
A No. As pointed out in the previous newsletter, the GEPF does not provide loans to members under any circumstances. You also cannot withdraw money from the Fund while remaining in service of your employer.

Q When can I retire?
A This depends on your conditions of service. Generally, conditions of service state that you may retire without any reduction of benefits at age 60. This is known in the retirement industry as the Normal Retirement Age. Yours may be different. You may also retire up to 5 years earlier but your benefits will be reduced (this is known as early retirement). You may also retire later which is known as late retirement. The mandatory retirement age is 65.

Q What forms do I need to complete if I want to withdraw from the Fund?
A If on exit from service with your employer, you want to take your withdrawal benefit in cash, your Human Resources department needs to complete a Withdrawal/Termination form (Z102).

Q I previously left the service of the Government and have now returned; can I buy back pensionable service?
A Yes. If it is less than 36 months since you left the GEPF, you can repay the benefit that was paid to you with interest.

Q What is meant by “service after 28 February 1998 will be taxed on private sector rules”?
A While members of the GEPF were not previously taxed on their lump sum retirement benefits, effective 28 February 1998, their benefits are now taxed in the same way as for members of a pension fund in the private sector. The portion of the benefit that relates to service prior to 1 March 1998 will not be taxed. The tax rate that applies to your benefit will depend upon your taxable income level for the relevant tax year.

Q Who bears the cost of the newsletters and publications – is it the Pension Fund; and does this mean that we earn less interest?
A The cost is recovered from the Fund. However, since this is a defined benefit type fund, your benefits are guaranteed and will in no way be affected by such costs.

Q Does the employer contribution of 13% include my contribution of 7,5% of salary?
A No, the employer contributes 13% in addition to your 7,5%.

Q Do I have the option to invest in a private pension fund when I retire?
A If your pensionable service is less than 10 years, your retirement benefit is a lump sum. You may invest this money with a private organisation. Generally, a private pension fund will not accept your money. One option is to purchase an annuity, which is similar to a pension. A financial advisor will be able to advise you on the best financial product for your needs.If you have 10 years or more pensionable service, your retirement benefit from the fund is both a monthly pension and a lump sum. As above, you are free to do with your lump sum as you wish. The monthly pension, however, will be paid from the GEPF and will be paid to you until you die. This pension cannot be transferred to a private pension fund and cannot be commuted.

Q Has the GEPF performed worse than other retirement funds? Will this affect my benefits?
A The GEPF has performed better than some and worse than others. The investment performance of the Fund does not however affect your benefits. Your benefits are defined in terms of the rules of the fund. So even if the Fund performs very poorly, your benefits are guaranteed. Poor performance means that the employer has to contribute more and good performance means the employer has to contribute less. It is therefore the employer who should be concerned about the investment performance of the Fund.

Q Can I add more money to the pension fund?
A Unfortunately not. The GEPF does not accept additional voluntary contributions. You may however make other arrangements such as the purchasing a retirement annuity. A financial advisor can advise you on your options.

Q Will I also get my UIF contributions when I retire?
A Unfortunately not. The Unemployment Insurance Fund is completely different from the pension fund. UIF provides for some sort of income if you are unemployed and is similar to an insurance policy.

Q My pay slip does not indicate a pension number like one of my colleagues. It only indicates 999999999. Does this mean that I am not a member of the Fund?
A No, not at all. All employees of the government with the exception of political office-bearers should be members of the Government Employees Pension Fund. Check your salary advice slip for contribution deductions. The 999999999 number indicates that some of your personal details are outstanding. Please contact your Human Resource department to rectify this problem.