What are unclaimed benefits?

Unclaimed benefits are benefits where the reason for the member’s leaving (or exiting) the Fund and his or her last day of service are both known, but the benefit is not paid to the member or beneficiary within 24 months of the last day of service – in line with the rules of the Fund.

Why do benefits become unclaimed?

The main reasons for benefits becoming listed as unclaimed are:

• The member’s exit documents (Z102 forms submitted when a member leaves the Fund) were not submitted or contain errors that have not been rectified.
• GEPF is unable to get a tax directive from SARS as the member or beneficiaries’ tax affairs are not in order (for example, they are not registered for tax or they have not submitted tax returns, etc.).
• The benefits are paid but are returned to GEPF due to incorrect banking details, frozen or dormant accounts, incorrect pay points, etc.
• GEPF does not have enough information in respect of the deceased members’ spouse(s) or beneficiaries to enable them to claim their benefits or for GEPF to pay the benefits to them.

Who can claim unclaimed benefits?

The following people are able to claim unclaimed benefits:

• Retired GEPF members and members no longer in service;
• Beneficiaries of GEPF members no longer in service or who are deceased; and
• The guardians of GEPF members’ beneficiaries.

What must one do to access unclaimed benefits?

1. If the applicant is a member or spouse, the following documents are needed to claim unclaimed benefits:
• A completed Banking Details form (Z894);
• A certified copy of the applicant’s ID (the stamp on the copy should not be older than six months);
• An updated personal details form (Z864).
  
  
2. If the applicant is a beneficiary, the following documents are needed to claim unclaimed benefits:
• The member’s death certificate;
• A certified copy of the beneficiary’s ID (the stamp on the copy should not be older than six months);
• A completed Banking Details form (Z894);
• A guardian letter in the case of minor beneficiaries; and
• A certified copy of the guardian’s ID (the stamp on the copy should not be older than six months).

Contact us if you have any further questions

GEPF’s contact details are as follows: