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NATIONALTREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS. PRESENTATION TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON FINANCE 21 AUGUST 2002. CONTENTS. Purpose SP Boards and Administration Status on processing applications and appeals Areas of Concern Actions instituted. PURPOSE. PURPOSE.
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NATIONALTREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS PRESENTATION TO THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON FINANCE 21 AUGUST 2002
CONTENTS • Purpose • SP Boards and Administration • Status on processing applications and appeals • Areas of Concern • Actions instituted NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
PURPOSE NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
PURPOSE To present a progress report to the Portfolio Committee on Finance on the Special Pensions process since the 3 April 2001 presentation. NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
SPECIAL PENSIONS BOARDS AND ADMINISTRATION NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
SP BOARD Appointed 1 January 2001 on full-time basis. Appointed in consultation with political parties. • Mr I Makopo (Chairperson) • Mr ZI Mthimunye (member) • Ms WR Ncame (member) • Mr CSA Setsubi (Member) • Mr SE Thokoane (member) NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
SP REVIEW BOARD • Ms Z Barmania (Chairperson) appointed 1 December 1998 on part-time basis,but commenced work in 1999. Resigned effective 14 August 2002. • Mr ML Moloi (member) appointed 1 January 2001 on full-time basis. • Mr M Walker (Actuary member) seconded from Negotiated Benefits Consultants (NBC) on a part-time basis. NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
SP ADMINISTRATION Mr T Magwaza (Chief Executive Officer) (Tel. 012 319 1098). Mr M Lesufi (Assistant to the CEO) (Tel. 012 319 1098). Regional offices: • Cape Town (Tel. 021 424 8220) • Durban (Tel. 031 327 0233) • P E (Tel. 041 585 1640) • Umtata (Tel. 047 532 5242) • Bisho (Tel. 040 639 1425) • Satellite offices: Polokwane (Tel. 015 297 7181) • Mafikeng (Tel. 018 3842933) NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
STATUS ON PROCESSING APPLICATIONS AND APPEALS NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
APPLICATIONS (SP BOARD) Total applications received exclude 2 109 late applications NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
APPEALS (SP REVIEW BOARD) NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
AREAS OF CONCERN NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
AREAS OF CONCERN High rate of declined applications • Apparent misunderstanding of the Act by applicants. • Under 35s (younger than 35 years of age as at commencement date of the Act (1 December 1996)). NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
AREAS OF CONCERN ... Continued • Minimum service requirement (5 years full-time service). • Definitions of “disability” and “dependant”. • Information received from applicants not always complete in terms of the requirements of the Act and sometimes not reliable. NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
AREAS OF CONCERN ... Continued • Investigations to verify information often prolong the adjudication process. • This often necessitates requests for and acceptance of affidavits which could result in fraud. Late applications • The Act does not make provision for late applications. NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
ACTIONS INSTITUTED NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
ACTIONS INSTITUTED Administration efficiency SP Inquiries Unit (Telephone/Walk-in) • Combined with Pensions Administration Call Center in July 2001. • Access to improved technology and working environment. • Improved staff morale which led to improved customer service. NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
ACTIONS INSTITUTED … Continued Outreach Programme (Road shows) Aims: • Establish contact with stakeholders in the various provinces and/or regions. • Inform stakeholders of progress and listen to and/or address their concerns. NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
ACTIONS INSTITUTED … Continued Outreach Programme (Research ) Aims: • Gather information on applicants so as to facilitate processing of applications and appeals. • Reach out to prospective beneficiaries of Special Pensions (those who are eligible for benefits but had not applied). NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
ACTIONS INSTITUTED … Continued Outreach Programme (Research ) Capacity: • Establishment of a Research Unit is in progress (target date for full implementation is 2 September 2002). • Mr CSA Setsubi will head the Research Unit. • Appointed two Admin Assistants to the Research Unit. • Seconded 2 staff from GEPF to the Research Unit. NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
ACTIONS INSTITUTED … Continued Outreach Programme (Research ) Pilot Project: • A pilot project for the Research Unit will occur towards the end of September 2002 in Limpopo province. • Roll out the research into other provinces in October 2002. NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
SP BOARD Some changes effective September 2002 • Mr I Makopo (Chairperson) • Mr ML Moloi (new member) • Mr ZI Mthimunye (member) • Ms WR Ncame (member) • Mr SE Thokoane (member) NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
SP REVIEW BOARD Some changes effective September 2002 • Vacant position (Chairperson). • Mr M Matsobane (new member) seconded from GEPF on a part-time basis. • Mr M Walker (Actuary member) seconded from Negotiated Benefits Consultants (NBC) on a part-time basis. NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
SP ADMIN (September 2002) Mr T Magwaza (Chief Executive Officer)(Tel. 012 319 1098). Mr M Lesufi (Assistant to the CEO)(Tel. 012 319 1098). Mr CSA Setsubi (Head: SP Research)(Tel. 012 319 1098). Regional offices: • Cape Town (Tel. 021 424 8220) • Durban (Tel. 031 327 0233) • P E (Tel. 041 585 1640) • Umtata (Tel. 047 532 5242) • Bisho (Tel. 040 639 1425) • Satellite offices: Polokwane (Tel. 015 297 7181) • Mafikeng (Tel. 018 3842933) NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
ACTIONS INSTITUTED … Continued Draft Amendment Bill 2002 Aims: • To grant the Board discretion to condone late applications. • To accommodate prospective beneficiaries of Special Pensions (those who are eligible for benefits but had not applied). • To grant the Finance Ministry (via the CEO) authority to refer certain cases to the Review Board. NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS
QUESTIONS NATIONAL TREASURY: SPECIAL PENSIONS