NN 05/2026
DIENSBEËINDIGING:
WAT NOU?
Wyses waarop diens beëindig kan word:
Vir die doeleindes van hierdie nuusbrief word gefokus op diensbeëindiging weens aftrede, bedanking en ontslag.
Watter opsies vir diensbeëindiging is op my van toepassing?
- Bedanking en/of ontslag:
Hierdie voordeel geld vir GEPF lede wat bedank of ontslaan word weens wangedrag of 'n siekte of besering wat deur die lid se eie toedoen veroorsaak is. Hierdie lede het twee opsies: óf hulle kan 'n gratifikasie ontvang – 'n eenmalige kontantbedrag waarop hulle onmiddellik belas word, óf hul voordele kan na 'n goedgekeurde aftreefonds oorgedra word. Indien voordele oorgedra word, betaal die GEPF die lid se aktuariële waarde aan die lid se nuwe fonds. Die bedrag wat na 'n goedgekeurde aftreefonds oorgedra word, word eers belas wanneer die lid aftree of wanneer opbrengste vanuit die nuwe fonds onttrek word. - Aftrede:
Die normale aftree-ouderdom sonder penalisasie vir GEPF-lede is sestig (60) jaar. Onderwysers is geregtig om vanaf die ouderdom van vyf en vyftig (55) jaar af te tree, maar moet aftree wanneer hulle die ouderdom van vyf en sestig (65) jaar bereik. - Normale aftrede:
Lede met minder as tien (10) jaar pensioengewende diens ontvang 'n gratifikasie. Dit is 'n eenmalige kontantbedrag wat gelyk is aan hul aktuariële waarde in die Fonds.
Lede met tien (10) of meer jaar pensioengewende diens ontvang 'n gratifikasie en 'n maandelikse pensioenannuïteit. - Vervroegde aftrede:
Onder sekere omstandighede kan lede aftree voor die bereiking van die normale aftree-ouderdom van sestig (60). Weereens bepaal die lid se pensioengewende diensjare die voordele. Lede met tien (10) of meer diensjare ontvang annuïteite en gratifikasies. Hierdie word op dieselfde manier bereken as vir normale aftrede, maar met 'n vermindering van 'n derde van een persent (0,33%) vir elke maand tussen die datums van vroeë aftrede en normale aftrede. - Swak gesondheid en ander vorme van aftrede:
Verbeterde voordele word betaal wanneer lede om mediese redes aftree, wanneer hulle aan diens beseer word, of wanneer hul poste deur organisatoriese herstrukturering afgeskaf word. In hierdie omstandighede ontvang lede beide annuïteite en gratifikasies indien hulle meer as 10 jaar pensioengewende diens het. Vir lede met minder as tien (10) jaar pensioengewende diens, sal die voordeel in ooreenstemming wees met en nie minder as die bedankingsvoordeel nie. Lede met meer as tien (10) jaar diens ontvang ook ’n jaarlikse aanvullende bedrag.
Hoeveel tyd na diensbeëindiging moet ek my pensioendokumentasie indien?
Dit is altyd raadsaam vir lede om ten minste 4 (vier) maande voor uitdienstrede hul dokumentasie by hulle spesifieke Provinsiale Onderwysdepartement in te dien.
Die nodige pensioendokumentasie kan verkry word by die distrikskantoor of die betrokke SAOU provinsiale kantoor kan gekontak word vir bystand.
Hoeveel tyd neem die uitbetaling van my pensioenvoordeel?
Indien alles wat gepaard gaan met die verwerking van die pensioen dokumentasie goed verloop, neem dit min of meer 4 (vier) maande vir die algehele proses om afgehandel te word. Lede moet dus seker maak dat alle dokumentasie korrek en volledig voltooi is, aangesien dit baie langer kan duur indien die GEPF dokumente moet terugverwys na die Provinsiale Onderwysdepartement vir regstellings. Ons stel dus voor dat lede, indien moontlik, hul naaste distrikskantoor of instapsentrum besoek om die dokumentasie vooraf na te gaan voordat dit ingedien word.
Wie kan my bystaan in die berekening van my pensioenvoordeel asook belastingimplikasies?
Die SAOU kan lede bystaan met ‘n berekening wat slegs kan dien as ‘n aanduiding. Aangesien die Vakbond nie ‘n geakkrediteerde finansieringsmaatskappy is nie, doen ons nie belastingberekeninge nie. Lede kan egter ‘n finansiële makelaar hieroor kontak, asook die GEPF-webwerf se “Benefit Calculator” besoek.
Wat gebeur met my ander voordele soos my mediese voordeel asook behuisingsvoordeel?
In die geval van ‘n bedanking en/of ontslag, verbeur lede die volgende byvoordele: verlofkrediet, pro-rata diensbonus, begrafnisvoordele en mediese subsidie. Lede sal dus nie langer aan GEMS kan behoort nie. Met verwysing na behuisingsubsidie: vanaf 1 April 2025 kan lede wat ontslaan is of bedank het ‘n onttrekking vanuit die spaarrekening van die behuisingsubsidie maak.
In die geval van aftrede behou lede hul voordele. Die mediese bystand word ook voortgesit indien die opvoeder hooflid van GEMS was vir ten minste een (1) jaar voor aftrede en ten minste vyftien (15) jaar diens in die Staat (nie noodwendig aaneenlopend) verrig het. In die geval van mediese ontslag moet die lid minstens tien (10) jaar diens gelewer het.
Gaan registrasie by SARO voort?
Wanneer 'n opvoeder besluit om af te tree of die beroep permanent te verlaat, word vereis dat die opvoeder van SARO bedank om vrywillig lidmaatskap/registrasie te beëindig. Dit kan gedoen word deur 'n geskrewe kennisgewing aan SARO te stuur om te bedank of te deregistreer en om verdere fooie te vermy. Die volgende dokumente sal aan SARO gestuur moet word:
- Gesertifiseerde afskrif van jou ID;
- Gesertifiseerde afskrif van jou SARO-sertifikaat;
- Bedankingsbrief.
Die bogenoemde dokumente kan aan ethics@sace.org.za gestuur word.
In die geval van onvrywillige/dissiplinêre beëindiging van diens, kan die Raad 'n opvoeder se naam van die register verwyder vir etiese oortredings of wangedrag.
GEPF se kontakbesonderhede
- Tolvrye nommer:
0800 117 669 - E-posadres:
enquiries@gepf.co.za - Posadres:
GEPF Private Bag X63, Pretoria, 0001 - Webwerf:
https://www.gepf.co.za/contact-us/ - GEPF-selfoontoepassing: Laai af en registreer
Die algemene kantoorure is Maandag tot Vrydag: 07:30 – 16:00.
Bovermelde inligting is verkry van die GEPF-webwerf asook die Wet op Indiensneming van Opvoeders, 76 van 1998 soos gewysig.
Indien jy twyfel of vrae het oor die onderwerp, moet asseblief nie huiwer om jou provinsiale SAOU-kantoor of die SAOU Regsafdeling te kontak nie.
2026/03/12
TERMINATION OF SERVICE:
WHAT NOW?
Ways in which service can be terminated:
For the purposes of this newsletter, the focus will be on termination of service due to retirement, resignation and dismissal.
Which termination options are applicable to me?
- Resignation and/or dismissal:
This benefit applies to GEPF members who resign or are dismissed due to misconduct or an illness or injury caused by the member’s own fault. These members have two options: they can either receive a gratuity – a once-off cash sum on which they are immediately taxed, or their benefits can be transferred to an approved retirement fund. If benefits are transferred, the GEPF pays the member’s actuarial value to the member’s new fund. The amount transferred to an approved retirement fund is only taxed when the member retires or proceeds to make withdrawals from the new fund. - Retirement:
The normal retirement age without penalties for GEPF members is sixty (60) years. Educators are entitled to retire from the age of fifty-five (55) years, but must retire on the day the member reaches the age of sixty-five (65) years. - Normal retirement:
Members with less than ten (10) years of pensionable service receive a gratuity. This is a once-off cash amount equal to their actuarial value in the Fund.
Members with ten (10) or more years of pensionable service receive a gratuity and a monthly pension annuity. - Early retirement:
Under certain circumstances members may retire before reaching the normal retirement age of sixty (60). Again, the member’s pensionable service years determine the benefits. Members with ten (10) or more years of service receive annuities and gratuities. These are calculated in the same way as for normal retirement, but with a reduction of one-third of one percent (0.33%) for each month between the dates of early retirement and normal retirement. - Ill-health and other retirement:
Enhanced benefits are paid when members retire for medical reasons, when they are injured while on duty, or when their positions are abolished through organizational restructuring. In these circumstances, members receive both annuities and gratuities if they have more than 10 years of pensionable service. For members with less than ten (10) years of pensionable service, the benefit will be in line with and not less than the resignation benefit. Members with more than ten (10) years of service are also paid an annual supplementary amount.
How long after termination of service do I have to submit my pension documentation?
It is always advisable for members to submit their documentation to the specific Provincial Education department at least 4 (four) months before termination of service.
The necessary documentation can be obtained at the district office or the relevant SAOU provincial offices can be contacted for assistance.
How long does it take for my pension benefit to be paid out?
If everything goes well with the processing of the pension documentation, it takes approximately 4 (four) months for the entire process to be completed. Members should therefore ensure that all documentation is completed correctly and completely, as it may take much longer if the GEPF has to refer documents back to the Provincial Education Department for corrections. We therefore suggest that, if possible, members should approach their nearest district office or walk-in centre to go through the documentation before submission.
Who can assist me in calculating my pension benefit and tax implications?
The SAOU can assist members with a calculation that can only serve as an indication. As the Union is not an accredited financial service provider, we do not do tax calculations. However, members can contact a financial broker or visit the GEPF website Benefit Calculator.
What happens to my other benefits such as my medical benefit and housing benefit?
In the event of a resignation and/or dismissal, members forfeit the following fringe benefits: capped leave, pro rata service bonus, funeral benefits and medical subsidy. Members will therefore no longer be able to remain with GEMS. With reference to housing benefits: As of 1 April 2025, dismissed members or members who have resigned can make a withdrawal from the savings account associated with their housing benefit.
In the event of retirement, members retain their benefits. The medical assistance is also continued if the educator was the main member of GEMS for at least one (1) year before retirement and has rendered at least fifteen (15) years of service in the State (not necessarily continuously). In the event of medical discharge, the member must have rendered at least ten (10) years of service.
Does registration with SACE continue?
When an educator decides to retire or to leave the profession permanently, it is required that the educator resigns from SACE to voluntarily terminate membership/registration. This can be done through sending a written notification to SACE to resign or de-register and to avoid further fees. The following documents will need to be sent to SACE:
- Certified copy of your ID;
- Certified copy of your SACE certificate; and
- Resignation letter.
The abovementioned documents can be sent to ethics@sace.org.za
In the event of involuntary/disciplinary termination of service, the Council may remove an educator’s name from the register for ethical breaches or misconduct.
GEPF’s contact details
- Toll-free number:
0800 117 669 - Email address:
enquiries@gepf.co.za - Postal address:
GEPF Private Bag X63, Pretoria, 0001 - Website:
https://www.gepf.co.za/contact-us/ - GEPF mobile app: Download and register
The general office hours are Monday to Friday: 07:30 – 16:00.
The above information was obtained from the GEPF website as well as the Employment of Educators Act, 76 of 1998 as amended.
If you have doubts or questions regarding the matter, please do not hesitate to contact your provincial SAOU office or the SAOU Legal Department.
