Former Robben Island CFO loses bid to unfreeze pension benefit
The ruling found sufficient prima facie evidence for withholding but did not determine whether Karabo Ramela committed fraud or caused the claimed losses.
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FST sets aside pension ruling in dispute between SAIPA and former CEO
The decision clarifies when prior civil proceedings may prevent the Pension Funds Adjudicator from investigating a complaint over withheld benefits.
Retirement fund arrears rise to R8.33bn despite R1bn in recoveries
Late-payment interest now accounts for almost half of arrears, suggesting unpaid contributions are remaining outstanding for longer.
Death benefit ruling puts Mutsila judgment into practice
Although the retirement fund misapplied section 37C, the OPFA found the same outcome was equitable after applying the Constitutional Court’s guidance.
SCA upholds Adjudicator’s reading of ‘12 months’ in section 37C
The retirement fund was not entitled to pay the benefit into the estate because it only learned of the member’s death more than a year later.
Two-pot withdrawal allowed: fund’s arrears rule doesn’t apply to member
The deputy adjudicator finds the ‘freeze’ clause the fund relied on is tied to its DB rules and can’t be used to block a DC member’s savings withdrawal.
Tribunal: liquidation does not bar arrear contributions complaint
The Adjudicator conflated jurisdiction with enforcement and overlooked the potential personal-liability provisions in the PFA.
Fund rules prevail over ‘informal understanding’ in contribution dispute
The Tribunal says membership could end only in accordance with the fund’s rules, and WhatsApp exchanges did not amount to a valid withdrawal.
Adjudicator slams fund over unresolved death-benefit claim
Nearly nine years after the claim was lodged, the fund still could not confirm whether the benefit had been allocated or paid.
Retirement industry flags operational risks in dual contribution regime
IRFA says the FSCA is engaging with the Department of Employment and Labour on the issue.
Death claims test trustees as section 37C meets real-world complexity
From disputed dependants to contested deaths, trustees are judged on how they investigate and explain their decisions.
Non-responsive retirement funds face stricter action from Adjudicator
Summonses and subpoenas may be used to address non-cooperation by funds and administrators, as the OPFA seeks to improve the efficiency of its investigations.
Bill gives Labour Court, CCMA, and bargaining councils power to order unpaid contributions
Misaligned statutory deadlines for employee retirement fund contributions raise practical compliance questions, particularly for employers with non-monthly payroll cycles.
Ruling clarifies trustee discretion when employers seek to preserve pension benefits
The judgment emphasises the responsibility of trustees to exercise their discretion fairly when deciding whether to withhold benefits in terms of section 37D.
Ombud Council issues new rules for Pension Funds Adjudicator
The framework formalises complaint-handling procedures, introduces mechanisms such as conciliation and summary dismissal, and will be implemented in phases.
Retirement fund referred to FSCA after ‘failing to engage with Adjudicator’
The OPFA says the fund did not respond to multiple requests for information relating to the non-payment of a death benefit.
Being married isn’t enough to secure a death benefit
The Pension Funds Adjudicator draws a line between entitlement to a monthly spouse’s pension and the allocation of a lump-sum death benefit.
