OPFA embarks on community education campaign

Pension Funds Adjudicator, Muvhango Lukhaimane,

The OPFA has therefore embarked on a nationwide community education campaign to provide information on the role of the tribunal which is a dispute resolution body for employees and beneficiaries.

Over the ensuing months, senior officials of the OPFA will travel to various provinces to explain how the statutory body can help to resolve pension disputes in a procedurally fair, economical and expeditious manner.

Mandate of adjudicator

Lukhaimane says the OPFA investigates and determines complaints of abuse of power, maladministration, disputes of fact or law and employer dereliction of duty in respect of pension funds.

The mandate of the OPFA is to ensure a procedurally fair, economical and expeditious resolution of complaints in terms of the Pension Funds Act, by:

• ensuring that its services are accessible to all;
  
• investigating complaints in a procedurally fair manner;
  
• reaching a just and expeditious resolution of complaints in accordance with the law; and
  
• are innovative and proactive in thought and in action.

Complaints to the OPFA include failure to pay retirement, death, disability and withdrawal benefits; dissatisfaction with benefits paid; dissatisfaction with decision and/or conduct of the fund and/or employer; division of pension interest in divorce matters; and allocation of death benefits.