Adjudicator upholds R4.5m allocation after wife fails to prove financial dependency
The customary wife failed to substantiate her claims of financial dependency and was shown to be estranged from the deceased.
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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.
New Pension Funds Adjudicator appointed as Lukhaimane steps down
Lebogang Mogashoa takes office in December for a three-year term.
FST upholds withholding of R2.16m benefit amid Shoprite fraud case
The decision makes clear the requirements for a lawful withholding: a prima facie case of dishonesty and demonstrable, timely steps by the employer to recover losses.
Tribunal: A fund’s rules control savings component withdrawals
The fund would be acting ultra vires if it paid a savings withdrawal while the member’s and employer’s contributions remained unpaid.
ConCourt clarifies scope of section 30P of the PFA proceedings
The Adjudicator breached audi alteram partem by making adverse findings about a Fund’s investigation without giving it a substantive opportunity to respond.
Funds must fully verify dependency before allocating a death benefit
The Constitutional Court finds that a fund relied on unverified, one-sided information and failed to establish the extent of factual dependency.
Adjudicator asks FSCA to act against ‘unresponsive’ retirement fund
Muvhango Lukhaimane says the SALA Pension Fund’s refusal to engage with her Office’s enquiries constitutes a breach of the fund’s fiduciary obligations.
Retirement fund held to PFA’s jurisdictional requirements
Enforcement of the Adjudicator’s orders must proceed where the employer-municipality resides and where the unpaid contributions arose.
Benefit allocation | When may a retirement fund consider DNA testing?
When the paternity of a retirement member’s child is in doubt, boards must tread a fine line between equitable distribution and undue intrusion.
Tribunal upholds funds’ broad discretion in death benefit allocation
A nominee who receives a dependency allocation can still claim a share of any surplus death benefit according to the deceased’s nominations.
Retirement funds can’t use POPIA to withhold information from the Adjudicator
PAIA and POPIA should not be misused to hide inadequate investigations into dependants’ claims.
Retirement fund cannot withhold benefits without precise liability admission
The Tribunal says the Adjudicator should have addressed the fund’s reliance on two acknowledgements of debt stating different amounts.
Member’s withdrawal bid denied as two-pot rules exclude legacy RAs
The Pension Funds Adjudicator rules the fund acted within the law when it refused a member’s request to dip into his FlexiPension plan.
Legally wed, financially left out: wife denied pension benefit
The FST has upheld a ruling that a legal spouse must still prove financial dependence or be nominated to receive a share of a deceased member’s pension benefit.
FSCA probes complaint processes amid surprisingly low filing rates
A survey shows that only 8% of consumers lodged complaints with financial institutions between 2021 and 2023. Does this figure reflect genuine satisfaction or signal barriers in the complaint process?
Enforcement is the Achilles’ heel in contribution compliance, says Adjudicator
The FSCA, National Treasury, and the Pension Funds Adjudicator tell MPs what they are doing to address the non-payment of retirement fund contributions. Regulatory interventions other than COFI may be in the offing.
