Survivors Benefit
A Survivors' Benefit is payable to survivors of a deceased insured person who at the time of death:
- could have satisfied the conditions for an invalidity pension or grant
- was receiving invalidity or Age Pension;
- was entitled to Age pension or grant.
WHO QUALIFIES
The Widow -
- If she had been married to, or had cohabited with the deceased insured person for at least three (3) years.
- If she is under the age of fifty (50) she will be paid the benefit for one year unless she is pregnant at the time of her husband's death or if she has children whose ages at the time of her husband's death will make her eligible for a pension for life.
- If she is fifty (50) years of age or over she will receive a pension for life.
- If she is under fifty years of age and she is an invalid, she will be paid a Survivor's pension during her invalidity. She will continue to receive a pension for life if her invalidity ceases and she is over fifty (50) years.
The widow will continue to receive benefits as long as she satisfies the conditions or until she remarries or cohabits.
The widower -
- If he had been married to, or had cohabited with the deceased insured person for at least three (3) years.
- If he is fifty (50) years of age or over he will receive a pension for life.
- If he is under fifty years of age and he is an invalid, he will be paid a Survivor's pension during his invalidity. He will continue to receive a pension for life if his invalidity ceases and he is over fifty (50) years.
The widower will continue to receive benefit as long as he satisfies the conditions or until he remarries or cohabits.
A child -
Natural, Adopted, Step or Illegitimate, unmarried, was living with the deceased, was totally maintained by the deceased.
The child will receive benefit up to the age of 16 or up to age 18 if attending school or college. If the child is an invalid, he/she will receive the benefit for life.
SURVIVORS' PENSION
Weekly payments to the Survivors of a deceased insured person.
AMOUNT OF BENEFIT
Widow/Widower – 75% of the age or invalidity pension in payment to the deceased insured person at the date of his death.
If the deceased person was not in receipt of age or invalidity pension he/she is paid 75% of the age pension earned up to the date of death.
25% of the age or invalidity pension in payment to the deceased person at the date of death; or amount of age pension earned up to the date of death.
Orphan pension - The amount payable is fifty percent (50%).
SURVIVORS' GRANT
A lump sum payment to the survivors of a deceased insured person.
WHEN TO CLAIM
A claim for Survivors' Benefit should be made within three (3) months of the date of death of the insured person, and should be accompanied by evidence of the relationship (marriage certificate, birth and death certificates, etc.).
BENEFIT FOR SURVIVING PARENTS
A benefit is payable to a surviving parent on the death of an insured person where
the parent received at least 50% of his/her income from the insured person, where the parent is at least 60 years of age.
AMOUNT OF BENEFIT
50% of the age or invalidity pension in payment to the deceased person at the date of death, or amount of age pension earned up to the date of death.
