Civil servants seeking their pension have been advised to deal directly with the pension department instead of through third parties.
Geoffrey Kibanda from the pensions department regretted that most pensioners or their relatives have been conned millions of their money by fraudsters who pretend to be in a position to help them.
Speaking during a sensitization session on the public service superannuation scheme in Iten, Kibanda said the pensions services can be accessed through all Huduma Centres countrywide and therefore people do not need to travel to Nairobi for the same.
The officer also appealed to chiefs to ensure they consult widely before signing the next of kin declaration forms saying improper documents lead to a delay in the processing of one’s benefits to the detriment of the pensioner or the family left behind in case of a deceased officer.
“The national government administrative office has a wide network and therefore as chief one is able to consult even with their colleagues outside their areas of jurisdiction before signing the form to ensure that no beneficiary is left out,” he said.
He said cases of an officer who may have had more than one wife or other children outside wedlock who are left out has led to delays in processing their pensions.
Kibanda also called on civil servants to have their up-to-date records and present them on time saying with all documents in place, officers in the old pension scheme should have their pension paid within 90 days while under the new scheme, one is paid within 30 days.
He said while in the old scheme, one could only start accessing their benefits after attaining the age of 50 years, under the new superannuation scheme, one can access their benefits at any time.
“Under the new scheme, one can access their money if one resigns or is dismissed from the service,” he said.
He added that for male officers, contributions to the Widows and Children Pension Scheme (WCPS) cease immediately after one is enrolled in the new scheme adding that one gets tax relief on monies contributed to the scheme.
He added said for officers under the scheme, deductions started at 2 per cent of their basic salary from January 2021, 5 per cent in 2022 rising to 7.5 per cent this year therefore called on contributors to ensure that their contributions are at 7.5 per cent saying if not then they will have to be deducted the arrears.
Kibanda said under the new scheme, the employer contributes 15 percent but added that one is allowed to contribute more but the government will not contribute more to match the increase.