Adjudicator lacks jurisdiction over unapproved disability policies
Tribunal confirms that only benefits administered by a registered fund fall under the Pension Funds Adjudicator’s jurisdiction.
Complaints
FAIS Ombud lauds large FSPs for settling more disputes directly with consumers
New enquiries soared in 2024/25, signalling higher public awareness; yet the number of cases opened fell as many matters were settled without the Ombud’s involvement.
Tax Ombud’s 10 top refunds total R167m
Requiring SARS to provide written reasons when it rejects the OTO’s recommendations has resulted in an increase in the resolution of complaints.
New Rules for Adjudicator emphasise efficiency, consistency, and COFI readiness
The draft Rules for the Office of the Pension Funds Adjudicator formalise existing procedures and align the OPFA with COFI and the cross-scheme framework.
CMS: No complaints about brokers’ conduct in 2024/25
The Council for Medical Schemes’ latest annual report shows a decline in registered complaints – continuing a three-year downward trajectory.
Move to two-pot system drives jump in complaints to the Adjudicator
Outgoing Adjudicator Muvhango Lukhaimane says the system has laid bare long-standing non-compliance with section 13A of the Pension Funds Act.
COFI will redefine the OPFA’s role and scope
Expanding the Office’s mandate to include disputes involving advice will enhance member protection, but there are concerns over jurisdictional overlaps and operational costs.
Non-life complaints resolved in favour of policyholders at 16.5%
Lead Ombud Edite Teixeira-Mckinon warns against drawing hasty conclusions about complaints stats without factoring in claims volumes and policy counts.
Non-life insurance ombud sees 11% drop in complaints in 2024
Most complaints to the NFO went to the Non-life Division, whose interventions yielded R107m in quantifiable benefits for policyholders.
Fraud floods complaints as banking ombud speeds up resolutions
Mobile banking fraud, phishing, and vishing drove 30% of all complaints, highlighting fraud as the leading issue in the Banking Division’s first year under the NFO.
NFO’s Life Division recovers over R202m for consumers in 2024
Complaints about life-benefit payouts climbed to 36% of the Division’s cases, from 34% in 2023.
Funds ‘must do more’ to hold employers accountable for arrear contributions
The OPFA on how retirement funds should address non-compliant employers, death benefit allocations, and requests to withhold benefits.
Rise in complaints about medical schemes clawing back losses allegedly linked to fraud and waste
Schemes and healthcare professionals are at odds over whether these recoveries are justified, says the Council for Medical Schemes.
Navigating insurance policies: how brokers can help prevent claim rejections
Tarina Vlok, MD of Elite Risk Acceptances, explains the importance of educating policyholders about their insurance coverage and exclusions.
How bank errors and unseen fees impacted customers
The OBS’s 2023 annual report unveils chargeback disputes, hidden fees, and administrative failures.
OBS reports record high complaints in 2023 as it transitions to NFO
The Ombudsman for Banking Services was kept busy with complaints about current accounts, loans, savings accounts, credit cards, and home loans.
Ombudsman’s report unveils banking blunders and customer missteps
The cases dealt with by the banking ombudsman last year included a home auctioned for far below its value and fraud linked to a stolen phone.
