A pension fund has been heavily criticised for failing to resolve a death benefit claim for nearly nine years, leaving the deceased member’s dependants in financial distress.

The Pension Funds Adjudicator has intervened, demanding action to ensure rightful beneficiaries receive their due

Pension Funds Adjudicator Lebogang Mogashoa has ordered the Chemical Industries National Provident Fund (CINPF) to finalise its investigation into the death benefit and distribute it to the deceased member’s lawful dependants and beneficiaries.

The ruling followed a complaint lodged in June 2025 by the mother of the deceased, who was a pensioner and depended on her son for financial assistance with groceries, medical expenses and insurance policy payments.

The deceased, who was employed by Tosasmsp-Tosas (Pty) Ltd, was a member of the fund from July 2013 until his death in April 2017. At the time of his death, his fund had over R40,500.