Widow wins R7.6 million pension battle against stepsons

IN a landmark ruling, the Financial Services Tribunal has upheld the rights of pension funds to prioritise the financial needs of dependants, awarding a widow R7.6 million from her late husband's pension.

- ZELDA VENTER

The widow, identified as Mrs G, faced the wrath of her two stepsons after they had lost out on receiving a portion of their late father's pension.

They turned to the tribunal and asked it to reconsider the Pension Fund Adjudicator's determination to uphold the allocation of a death benefit by the Old Mutual Superfund to their stepmother.

The deceased was a member of the fund from October 4, 1991, until his death in February 2021. After his death, a benefit of R7.6 million became payable to his beneficiaries.