1.

Question:

What is the retirement age for public sector employee?

Answer:

• Appointment before or at 1/10/2001 - compulsory retirement age is 55 years.

• Appointment on or after 1/10/2001 - compulsory retirement age is 56 years old

• Appointment on or after 1.07.2008 - compulsory retirement age is 58 years old.

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2.

Question:

Can an officer retire at 56 if he is facing disciplinary action or criminal trial which may result in him being dismissed or convicted?

Answer

In such situation, the officer cannot retire upon reaching 56 years. In fact, his service must be regarded as being extended exceeding that age until judgment is passed. If the judgment does not result in him being dismissed or convicted, he must be pensioned as if the period after coming of age be considered as unpaid leave and cannot be taken into account for pensionable benefits.

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3.

Question:

When can one apply for optional retirement?

Answer:

An officer may apply for optional retirement upon or after attaining the age of 40 years, with not less than 10 years reckonable service. He/She is eligible for gratuity and cash in lieu of accumulated leave upon retirement but his/her pension will only be paid upon reaching 45 years for female officer and 50 years for male officer. However, officers appointed on or after 12 April 1991 is only eligible to be paid pension upon attaining 55 or 56 years depending on the option made under Service Circular No. 3/2001

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4.

Question:

Who is entitled for pensions once a pensioner dies?

Answer:

• Widow or widows or widower (for widower, the wife must still be in employment on or after 1.7.1980);

·         Child under the age of 21 years and not married. For a child who is permanently incapacitated, mentally or physically disabled and incapable of supporting himself, no age limit is imposed.  A child pursuing further education in an institution of higher learning is eligible for derivative pension payment exceeding 21 years until completion of the first degree or ceasing to receive such education or upon.

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5.

Question:

What must be done by the dependent/next of kin of a pensioner who dies?

Answer:

If a pensioner did not leave any dependants eligible for derivative pension, next of kin should inform the Pension Division, PSD of his death and submit the following documents:-

• Copy of death certificate
• Copy of marriage certificate / marriage registration certificate.  However widow/widower’s certified Statutory Declaration is acceptable if the copies of the certificates cannot be obtained from the relevant parties.
• Copy of birth certificate / copy of identification cards for children below the age of 21
• Copy of Adoption and certification of adopted child (if applicable)
• Documents regarding disabled child from Government Medical Specialist [JPA.BP.UMUM.B04 Form] and Report from the Social Welfare Department with a full length photograph of the child, (if applicable)
• A picture of the widow/ widower (whichever is relevant)
• Certification Letter from Guardian [JPA.BP.SPT.B02 Form] (if child is underage and not under the care of widow/widower).

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6

Question:

What is meant by pension payment under A Scheme and who would be paid under this Scheme?

Answer:

Pension payment under A Scheme means that pensioner’s pension would be directly credited in the pensioner’s bank account every month on pension payment day. Pensioner may withdraw his pension at any branch of the relevant bank throughout the country.

The pensioners eligible for payment under A Scheme are those with living wife/husband taken into marriage when they were still in service.

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7.

Question:

What is meant by pension payment under B Scheme and who would be paid under this Scheme?

Answer:

Pension payment under B Scheme means that to get his pension, a pensioner must first submit a claim at any branch of the relevant bank, by completing a pension claim form available at the counter of the bank.  This means the pensioner/pension recipient needs to present himself monthly at the bank to sign the pension claim form before pension is credited into his account. Under B Scheme, pension is not directly credited into pensioner’s account.

Pensioners eligible for payment under B Scheme are those who are single or whose wife/husband has passed on or has wife/husband taken into marriage after retirement and those receiving derivative pension / dependant’s pension.

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8.

Question:

What happens if a pensioner/pension recipient under B Scheme does not claim his pension for several months?

Answer:

If a pensioner/pension recipient under B Scheme does not claim his pension for six consecutive months, the pension would be expired returned to the Pension Division, PSD.  The pensioner/pension recipient would not be able to claim from the bank, and thence a reclaim may be forwarded to the Pension Division, PSD.

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9.

Question:

Can pension be claimed by anyone other than a pensioner/pension recipient?

Answer:

A pensioner/pension recipient may appoint a representative to assist him in managing his pension with the bank; this is allowable only for those under B Scheme. To be eligible for appointment of representative, a pensioner/pension recipient, must be of ill health and his condition be proven by way of affirmation letter from a Government Medical Officer or a private doctor, or a Social Welfare Officer or a District Officer. A pensioner/pension recipient must apply to the Pension Division, PSD for the appointment of the representative using JPA.BP.SKP.B07 form. Appointment of the representative is valid for one year and can be renewed by the pensioner/pension.

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10

Question:

Can a pensioner/pension recipient change bank account?

Answer:

A pensioner/pension recipient may change his bank account with a minimum of two months prior notice, given in writing to the Pension Division, PSD and before the old account is closed. This is to avoid any break in their monthly pension payment.

In a situation where a pensioner/pension recipient loses his account book, it is advisable that the new account be opened at the same bank to enable pension payments be transferred to this new account. If the new account is opened at another bank, pension payments might be disrupted as pension payment sent to be credited into the previous (old) account has to be returned to the Pension Division, PSD to be processed again and then credited into the new account at the other bank