A Review of Children’s Access to Employment-Based Contributory Social Insurance Benefits

The review assesses the obstacles to accessing the death benefits due to orphans from statutory insur-ance schemes and pension funds in South Africa. The operation of eight major registered pension funds and three major statutory insurance funds are described. A socio-economic and legal analysis of the appointment of guardians suggests risks to the rights of children in accessing benefits. Foster children are not consistently covered. Anomalies arise from limitations in coverage of workers out of employment, and unlawful workers. Significant obstacles to accessing benefits include unjustified and cumbersome claims procedures, a failure to properly investigate claims in certain funds, inappropriate payment methods, poor governance, inappropriate trust arrangements and a lack of adequate moni-toring and reporting on unclaimed monies. The review concludes with recommendations for reform.

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