As part of the death benefit offered by Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF),
qualifying children of deceased members are eligible to receive a monthly pension
payable upon finalisation of the death claim. Immediately after the lump sum payments
and commencement of monthly pension pay outs, all children receiving a pension
need to be enrolled or registered on the GIPF biometric system at any of the GIPF
offices countrywide. After enrolment, children annuitants and their guardians are
further required to verify proof of life every four months and failure to do so will result
in the suspension of their monthly pension.
Qualifying children or children annuitants are minor children of deceased members i.e.
under the age of 18 years, or major children between the ages 18 and 25 years, in full
time schooling, and who were substantially dependent on the deceased member.
Children annuitants who are major children (18-25 years) are thus required to provide
proof of schooling from recognised educational institutions duly stamped and signed
by authorised persons for each academic year the benefits are claimed for. We
therefore call upon all qualifying children annuitants to submit their proof of schooling
for the 2023 academic year to continue receiving their benefits.
In terms of the Fund rules, a pension payable to a minor child is paid to the guardian,
while as a pension payable to a major child is made directly into his/her bank account.
The GIPF is therefore appealing to all guardians of minor children, who have not
previously submitted guardianship certificates to do so without delay. Failure to submit
will result in non-payment of benefits. A guardian is a person responsible for making
major decisions on behalf of a minor be it of legal nature or medical care, such a
surviving parent of the child or a person duly appointed by a court of law as a guardian.
When claiming for children’s pension benefit, the following documents must be
attached to the claim form and must be submitted to GIPF, a full birth certificate,
identity document of parent/guardian, guardianship letter/certificate, proof of banking
details and contact details of the parent or guardian. The Fund would like to take this
opportunity to remind all our annuitants namely retired members, members receiving
disability benefits, qualifying children and spouses of deceased members to visit any
of the GIPF offices countrywide for enrolment which will end on the 28th February
2023. After the enrolment period, the Fund will request all the pensioners and
beneficiaries to commence with the verification process which will be done three times
a year.
For more information members and beneficiaries are encouraged to call us on 061
205 1000, log onto our website on www.gipf.com.na or alternatively visit their nearest
GIPF office.