Disability Benefits

A member who qualifies for a medical disability benefit will be entitled to four times annual salary or Fund Credit, whichever is the greater, up to the age of 60. Thereafter the benefit scales down monthly, up to the age of 65, to two times annual salary or Fund Credit (whichever is the greater).

However:

A member who has less than five years’ membership and qualifies for a medical disability benefit due to an injury, illness or condition which he/she:

• knew about or could reasonably be expected to know about;
• was diagnosed with;
• was treated for; or
• displayed symptoms of within twelve months before joining the Fund, shall be entitled to the greater of two times annual salary or Fund Credit.

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Improved disability benefits

The current disability benefit remains in place for all members who joined before 30 June 2023. If such member is disabled, the greater of the current disability or new disability benefit will be payable.

The new disability benefit applicable from 1 July 2023 will pay a disability benefit equal to fund credit PLUS a scaled multiple of annual salary. The distinction is still in place for members with less than 5 years’ service who have a pre-existing condition, where they will receive the greater of 2 times annual salary plus their fund credit or the existing benefit if that is greater for membership prior to 1 July 2023.

Members who joined the Fund from 1 July 2023 will only be liable for the new disability benefit:

Members 65 years and older do not enjoy any disability benefits. The 2.25% of the employer contribution required for risk benefits is allocated to their fund credit, thus they are not paying towards any risk benefits. Should you require any clarity on the disability benefits please feel free to contact the Fund’s office.

Notes:

Risk benefits (death and disability) are subject to adjustment depending on the claims experience. The actuary of the Fund monitors this on a continuous basis to advise the Management Committee (Board of Fund) to make adjustments timeously. Enquiries should be made to verify whether any changes were made in this regard since the date of the brochure.

1. In the event of a member joining the Fund after 26 April 2013 between the ages of 60 and 65, the death and disability benefits will be limited to 1 times salary and not 2 times or 4 times salary as mentioned hereinbefore. (See also note 4 below.)
2. The benefit accrues as an annuity, but the member may by prior notification to the Fund elect to take any portion, even 100% of the benefit as a lump sum payment.
3. In the event of a member staying on after 65, no contribution will be made in respect of risk benefits and therefore no risk benefits (funeral, death & disability) will be payable. The total contribution made by the member and an employee after 65, will be allocated to the member’s fund credit except the portion utilised for the administration costs, approximately 0.75 percent.