Question:
Hi, I need some clarity with the following issue: My grandfather died around 1983 and left my father as the sole beneficiary of his estate and pension fund. My father did not claim the pension fund because he had planned that he was going to save it for his retirement. Unfortunately my father died before his retirement and left my mom, me and my two other siblings as beneficiaries on his estate and provident fund. My mom made a claim for my dad's provident fund, the money was paid out. But now she wants to know if she is entitled to my grandfather's pension fund because it is in my father's name ( now deceased). The people at MIBFA are giving her the run around on that claim. Are we entitled to the money? How do we go about claiming? Your help will be highly appreciated
Answer:
Ntombi, The thing is: the Fund Trustees decide who gets the death benefit, it is not up to the deceased to decide beforehand. The beneficiary nomination form is a guide, to help the Trustees allocate the benefit (especially useful if it lists the deceased's financial dependents). If your grandfather's pension money was not claimed, then it would have either been transferred to an unclaimed benefits fund, or the claim may even have prescribed (depending on what the fund rules say).But when you say "run around" do you mean they don't want to pay you out (if so, for what reason?), or do they deny that the money even exists? With such limited information, we cannot provide you with any guidance.
