Andrew
THE Public Service Commission (PSC) would like to inform staff and general citizens how Government awards terminal benefits of those who exit service. Terminal benefits are largely determined by how one leaves employment. The following is information on different scenarios of leaving the service and how each is treated when it comes to terminal benefits.
Normal Retirement
A member may retire from service upon reaching the pensionable age of 65 years. Upon retirement, a member is entitled to a lump sum payment and a monthly pension calculated on the basis of his or her pensionable emoluments and service of at least 10 years.
Early Retirement
With the consent of the Public Service Commission, a member may retire from service upon or after having attained the age of 55 years. Upon retirement, a member is entitled to a lump sum payment and a monthly pension calculated the same way as for normal retirement.
Health Retirement/ Abolition of Office (After 5 Years or More Pensionable Service) If a member retires due to ill-health or abolition of office after pensionable service of five years or more, he or she is entitled to a lump sum payment and a monthly pension.
Death in Service
If a member dies in service after contributing for at least 5 years, the surviving spouse is paid a lump sum and a monthly pension for life. A percentage of spouse pension will be paid to children up to the age of 18. Children’s pension is doubled if there is no surviving spouse.
Death after Retirement
If a former member dies while on pension, the surviving spouse’s pension is paid for life and children’s pension up to the age of 18.
Refund Benefits
Once-off benefits are payable to members who terminate service and do not qualify for a pension. The following categories receive once-off benefits or refunds:
Members who resign;
Members discharged from service;
Members who are discharged on medical grounds with less than 5 years’ service;
Members whose posts are abolished and their service are less than 5 years;
Surviving spouse(s) or dependants of a member who dies in service having served for less than five years.
Deferred Pension
If a member resigns after contributing for at least 25 years, he or she can opt, before attaining age of 59 and a half years, in lieu of a refund plus gratuity, for a deferred pension payable on his or her 60th birthday.
In the event that a member opts for deferred pension and dies before their 60th birthday, spouse’s and children’s pension become payable a day after such member’s death.
For any queries or questions, the Public Service Commission advises affected individuals to approach the nearest PSC offices in their Districts and Provinces to avoid being misled by people who do not have the facts or who deliberately distort the facts.
This is part of a series of articles by the Public Service Commission aimed at engaging with and updating the public on matters of public interest that fall within its mandate. For comments, enquiries and questions, please write to [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>. Call: +263 242 700881-3 or 793926. WhatsApp +263 788 584 848 For more on the PSC and its programmes, visit www.psc.gov.zw <http://www.psc.gov.zw> or follow on Facebook Zimbabwe Public Service Commission or Twitter @Public Service Commission Zimbabwe or LinkedIn Public Service Commission Zimbabwe
Online Reporter
Tinaye Agere