You get a benefit from your retirement fund if you retire, resign, or are dismissed or retrenched. Your dependants (or nominated beneficiaries) get a benefit if you die. Your actual benefit entitlement is governed by the rules of your fund.

You must submit a claim form to Alexander Forbes to claim your benefit. Your human resources department or payroll office has copies of the appropriate claim forms as they differ for retirement, withdrawal and death.

• The claim form must be signed and stamped by an approved signatory at your employer. If the form is not signed by an approved signatory it will be returned and your claim will not be processed.
• You need different supporting documentation, depending on the type of claim.
• A tax directive must be requested from the South African Receiver of Revenue. In terms of the Income Tax Act, the administrator, Alexander Forbes must get a tax directive from the Receiver before any payment from the fund. If you haven’t registered as a tax payer, or if your tax affairs are not up to date the Receiver won’t issue a tax directive.
• It is your responsibility to make sure that you are registered as a tax payer, and your tax affairs are up to date. If Alexander Forbes can’t get a tax directive from the Receiver your benefit can’t be paid out.

Retirement

• A copy of the annuity application form (if applicable)
• A disclaimer form if you’re buying a pension (an annuity)
• A certified copy of your ID book.

Withdrawal (including dismissal, retrenchment and resignation)

• A copy of your retirement annuity or preservation fund application form (if applicable)
• A certified copy of your ID book.

Death

• An original or certified death certificate
• Original or certified copy of the member’s birth certificate or ID book
• An original or certified copy of the member’s marriage certificate
• Original or certified copies of the beneficiaries’ birth certificates or ID books
• Details of the nominated guardian (if beneficiaries are minors)
• Completed member’s dependants and nominees form (if available)
• Any other information that will help the trustees distribute the death benefit.

The trustees will use all the information to distribute the death benefit fairly.

You can phone Alexander Forbes Call Centre to find out if your claim form has been received on 0860 100 333. Or you can contact your previous employer.

Retirement and withdrawal claims are usually paid out within 4-6 weeks of getting all the necessary documentation, including:

• A claim form signed and stamped by an Approved Signatory at your employer.
• Different supporting documents may be needed, depending on the type of claim processed.
• A tax directive that must be requested from the Receiver before any payment can be made from the fund.