1. A benefit is payable to a member, pensioner or beneficiary entitled to such benefit within a period of 60 days from the benefit becoming payable to the member, pensioner or beneficiary.
2. (a)The under mentioned table details the retirements paid within 60 days and those retirements paid outside of 60 days
Financial Year |
Total Retirement Cases Paid |
Claims paid within 60 days |
% age paid within 60 days |
Claims not paid within 60 days |
%age Not paid within 60 days |
2011 |
23,913 |
23171 |
97% |
742 |
3% |
2012 |
29,391 |
26830 |
91% |
2,561 |
9% |
2013 |
27,699 |
22849 |
82% |
4,850 |
18% |
2014 |
29,546 |
22043 |
75% |
7,503 |
25% |
2015 |
28,802 |
24797 |
86% |
4,005 |
14% |
2016 |
31,845 |
27693 |
87% |
4,152 |
13% |
2017 |
32,196 |
26848 |
83% |
5,348 |
17% |
2018 |
35,571 |
29966 |
84% |
5,605 |
16% |
2019 |
35,931 |
32236 |
90% |
3,695 |
10% |
2020 |
34,134 |
29944 |
88% |
4,190 |
12% |
(b) The reason for delayed benefit payments varies and arises due to many factors. The delays amongst others include:
3. The table below depicts the interests paid in respect of all benefits paid by the GEPF and not specifically in respect of retirements only. The interest paid would be in respect of retirement, resignation, death, ill-health retirement, and transfer benefits.
Financial Year |
Benefits Paid for the year R’000 |
Interest Paid for the R’000 |
2010 – 2011 |
31 098 727 |
653 748 |
2011 – 2012 |
35 581 583 |
881 093 |
2012 – 2013 |
39 769 902 |
756 179 |
2013 – 2014 |
52 570 775 |
1 158 520 |
2014 – 2015 |
78 341 762 |
1 421 880 |
2015 – 2016 |
85 196 350 |
1 845 820 |
2016 – 2017 |
86 290 613 |
1 883 182 |
2017 – 2018 |
91 071 319 |
1 954 491 |
2018 – 2019 |
94 876 686 |
1 469 311 |
2019 – 2020 (Unaudited) |
108 742 851 |
1 752 019 |
4. The Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA) which administers payments for the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) like many other organisations, was negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. In support of the national agenda in combating COVID-19 the entity was also initially closed for a short period of time during the first lockdown until it was subsequently classified as an essential service. The GPAA has implemented various measures to increase production since the declaration of the National State of Disaster.
These measure include:
• The acquisition of additional technology and mobile devices to enable and increase remote working arrangements;
It is important to emphasise that these initiatives notwithstanding, service to members, pensioners and beneficiaries is impacted by COVID-19 and delays may still be experienced as staff contract COVID -19.
5. It is not necessary for the Minister to make a statement on the matter as there has been acknowledgement by the GEPF and GPAA of late payments.