{"id":539,"date":"2024-06-22T15:00:32","date_gmt":"2024-06-22T15:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sassasrdstatus.org.za\/?p=266"},"modified":"2024-06-22T15:00:32","modified_gmt":"2024-06-22T15:00:32","slug":"what-are-the-pension-benefits-when-someone-dies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/sassa\/what-are-the-pension-benefits-when-someone-dies\/","title":{"rendered":"What are the pension benefits when someone dies?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The South African Social Security Agency provides various social grants to eligible citizens, including a pension for older persons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what happens to these benefits when a pensioner passes away? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article explains the payout options available to beneficiaries in such circumstances and guides you through the claims process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What happens to my SASSA pension if I die?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

SASSA pensions generally cease upon the death of the beneficiary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there are provisions for survivor benefits under certain circumstances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These benefits aim to provide some financial support to the deceased’s dependents, such as a spouse or dependent children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does my spouse get my SASSA pension when I die?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Yes, in most cases, a surviving spouse qualifies for survivor benefits from SASSA<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The type and amount of benefits will depend on whether the deceased pensioner:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Had chosen a joint pension: If the deceased opted for a joint pension during their application, the surviving spouse will automatically continue receiving a portion of the pension. This portion is usually a percentage of the original pension amount.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Did not choose a joint pension: Even without a joint pension, the surviving spouse may still be eligible for a survivor’s pension. However, they will need to apply for it at a SASSA local office. The eligibility criteria and application process will be explained in detail.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Can my children get my SASSA pension if I die?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Dependent children under the age of 18 (or 21 if disabled) may be eligible for survivor benefits if they lose a parent who was a SASSA pensioner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The specific eligibility criteria and application process will be determined by SASSA based on the individual circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How long will my spouse receive survivor benefits?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The duration for which a surviving spouse receives benefits depends on several factors, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. The age of the spouse at the time of the pensioner’s death<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Whether the spouse remarries<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      In most cases, a surviving spouse will continue to receive benefits until they reach the qualifying age for their own SASSA pension. However, if the spouse remarries, the survivor benefits will cease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      If the deceased pensioner had no surviving spouse or dependent children, there are no survivor benefits payable by SASSA. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      In such cases, any unclaimed pension funds are forfeited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      What documents do I need to claim a survivor’s pension from SASSA?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      To claim a survivor’s pension, you will need to submit the following documents to your nearest SASSA local office<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. The completed SASSA Death Notification Form (available at SASSA offices)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. A certified copy of the death certificate of the deceased pensioner<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Your South African ID document (original and a copy)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. Proof of your relationship to the deceased pensioner (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      5. Proof of dependency, if applicable (e.g. school report card for children, medical certificate for disabled adults)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      6. Your banking details (account number and branch code)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        How long does it take to receive a survivor’s pension from SASSA?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        The processing time for survivor’s pension claims can vary depending on the completeness of your application and any required verifications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        It normally takes between two to six weeks for a decision to be made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Can I inherit a lump sum from a deceased SASSA pensioner?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        In most cases, there is no lump sum payout for survivor’s benefits from SASSA. The survivor’s pension is paid out as a monthly amount. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        However, there might be instances where the deceased pensioner had unwithdrawn grant money in their account. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        This unwithdrawn amount can be claimed by following SASSA’s specific procedures for unclaimed benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        What to do if the deceased SASSA pensioner had a partner but no children<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        If the deceased pensioner had a legal spouse or partner but no children under 18 or disabled adult children, the surviving spouse\/partner may be eligible for the full survivor’s pension amount. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        This assumes there are no other dependants with a valid claim.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        The South African Social Security Agency provides various social grants to eligible citizens, including a pension for older persons. But […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":147,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"iawp_total_views":38,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-539","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/sassa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/539","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/sassa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/sassa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/sassa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/sassa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=539"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/sassa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/539\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/sassa\/wp-json\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bursariesafrica.co.za\/sassa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=539"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}