A mother is taking legal action in a daughter’s pension battle over a R2.4 million death benefit. Her late daughter, who died in 2022 at the age of 28, had worked for Transnet. The case is now before the Pension Funds Adjudicator.
According to the mother, the decision to give a large portion of the payout to the boyfriend was unfair and should be reversed.
Long-term Partner Named as Beneficiary
The daughter was a member of the Transport Sector Retirement Fund. After her death, the fund gave a major share of the money to her boyfriend. He had lived with her and had been in a relationship with her for ten years.
However, the mother argues that the couple’s relationship was ending. In her view, the boyfriend did not rely on her daughter for financial support. Therefore, she believes he should not benefit from the fund.
As a result, the daughter’s pension battle has become a formal dispute.
Grandmother and Child Request Full Amount
The mother also cares for the deceased’s child her grandchild. She says both of them depended on the daughter’s income. For this reason, she believes they should receive the full payout.
The Pension Funds Act requires trustees to divide benefits fairly among people who were legally or financially dependent. This includes partners, children, and parents.
Fund Responds to Complaint
In response, the fund says it followed legal guidelines. The boyfriend was nominated by the deceased and submitted proof of financial dependence. Additionally, the board recognised the child and grandmother as dependants and gave them shares of the benefit.
Even so, the mother remains firm in her stance. She insists the boyfriend was not truly dependent and that the trustees made the wrong call.
Ultimately, this daughter’s pension battle highlights how disputes over death benefits can turn deeply emotional, especially when families question who qualifies as a dependant.
The Adjudicator’s ruling is still pending.
