Pensioner
Q: What is a Pension?
Ans: A Pension is a periodical payment made to a person, usually at retirement that is intended to support the person for the rest of his/ her life.
Q: If I am employed beyond the age of 55years, will my employer be still legally liable to pay my FNPF contributions?
Ans: Yes. However, FNPF contributions are not payable after the age of 65 years.
Q: What will happen to my savings if I do not withdraw them at age 55 years?
Ans: Your savings will still receive interest annually until you make full withdrawal.
Q: When is my renewal due?
Ans: It is due on the same date every month from your initial date of Entitlement. The date of entitlement is the approval date of your withdrawal application on paper.
Q: Can I get pensions before my due date?
Ans: No, you only can receive your pension on or after the due date.
Q: Who can certify Renewal Certificates?
Ans:
Q: Can I sign my Renewal Certificate before my due date?
Ans: No, it can only be signed after the due date to validate further pension payment.
Q: When can I collect my Pension payment?
Ans: We will process your pension payment once we receive your Renewal certificate. Refer to Processing time for the different payment modes.
Employers
Q: How can I confirm I'm receiving money from my employer?
Ans: You will recieve a statement every after 6months to show your contribution for that period. If you are not receiving your statement kindly contact your nearest FNPF branch to update your mailing address.
Q: How does FNPF send the Statement of Account?
Ans: The Fund will send the Statement of Account to Employers after every six months. Voluntary members are expected to collect them from any of their nearest FNPF branches.
Q: What should I do if I did not receive the Statement of Account?
Ans: You can obtain the Statement of Account from any nearest FNPF Office by producing your Identification Card. To ensure that you receive the statement in the future, you should update your address by completing FNPF 3B form.
Q: How do I become a member?
Ans: Through voluntary if you are self employed or through being employed your employer registers you, thus you become a compulsory contributor.
Q: What are the benefits of becoming a member?
Ans: You tend to contribute 8 cents of every dollar you earn, and the employer contributes 8 cents of every dollar you earn too.
Some organizations have excess contribution as a benefit or incentive by the employer.
Your funds earn interest on a yearly basis (based on the precious years balance).
In the event of your death your nominees benefit from your contribution plus a Special Death Benefit which is currently $8,500.00
Your funds earn interest on a yearly basis (based on the precious years balance).
In the event of your death your nominees benefit from your contribution plus a Special Death Benefit which is currently $8,500.00
Q: What if I lost my FNPF Card?
Ans: Visit your nearest FNPF branch and request for a new FNPF Card for a charge of $3
Q: What is members' account?
Ans: Members' account refers to an account allocated to every member to which the contributions from the employer and employees share are credited. The FNPF account number is also the FNPF membership number for the member.
Q: How do I register as an FNPF member?
Ans: It is your employer's responsibility to register you with the Fund. Your employer will be required to complete FNPF 3 form with your personal details as stated in your Birth Certificate and you are required to affix your left thumbprint impressions on the form. You have to ensure that the information stated in the form is correct and true. Upon registration, you will be assigned with a membership number and FNPF Card.
Q: What will happen to my savings if I do not contribute for a long period of time?
Ans: Your savings are still secured even though you have not being contributing to the Fund for a long time. Your savings will receive annual interest (depending on your previous years balance). There will be no other alterations to your account unless you are assisted with any of the Member Benefits Assistance schemes.
Q: When do members receive an account number?
Ans: Members will be given an account number upon registration as a member. The account number is the member’s FNPF number.
Q: Am I required to register again if I work with more than one employer?
Ans: No. You have to inform your membership number to all your employers to enable them to use the same number when making FNPF contribution on your behalf.
Q: What is the age limit to register as a member?
Ans:
- To become a compulsory member, a person has to be over 15 years of age but must not be over 55 years
- To become a voluntary member, a person must be over 16 years of age but must not be over 50 years
Q: What is the implication to the employee if he/she is not registered as a FNPF member?
Ans: Everyone who finds employment is bounded by the Law to register as a member under a regulated category. Failure to do so may have legal implications.
Q: What are the information and supporting documents required to register as a FNPF member?
Ans: Completed FNPF 3 form with information and documents below:
- Personal details as stated in member's Identification Card/passport;
- Left thumb impression;
- Employer's number;
- Signature of member;
- To be witnessed by the employer/employer's representative/authorised FNPF officer only;
- Member's address; and
- Photocopy of member's Identification Card/Passport.
Q: How can members update their particulars in the FNPF record?
Ans:
- By completing an FNPF 7 form if you wish to change any of the following;
o Name
o Date Of Birth
o Parent’s name
o Signature
- By completing an FNPF 3B form if you wish to change any of the following;
o Gender
o Mailing address
o Residential address
o Contact details: email, mobile, fax, telephone
Members
Q: What are the withdrawal facilities provided by FNPF?
Ans: The Fund offers the following withdrawal facilities:
1. Retirement Withdrawal
1. Retirement Withdrawal
At 55 Years
2. Housing Withdrawal
To purchase/ Build A House
To purchase a block of land on which to construct a house
To extend/ improve a house
To reduce/Settle Housing Loan Balance
To purchase/Build A Second House
To reduce/Settle Housing Loan Balance of A Second House
To pay for the Housing Monthly Payment amount
To purchase a block of land on which to construct a house
To extend/ improve a house
To reduce/Settle Housing Loan Balance
To purchase/Build A Second House
To reduce/Settle Housing Loan Balance of A Second House
To pay for the Housing Monthly Payment amount
3. Other Withdrawals
Death
Incapacitation
Leaving the Country
Health
Members/Members' Children Education
Pensionable Employees
Optional Pensioners
Incapacitation
Leaving the Country
Health
Members/Members' Children Education
Pensionable Employees
Optional Pensioners
Q: Where can I submit my application form?
Ans: You can submit your application form together with the certified copies of documents at any FNPF Branch throughout the country. Members residing overseas can address their applications to:
The CEO,
Fiji National Provident Fund,
Private Mail Bag.
Suva.
Q: Where can I get the withdrawal application forms?
Ans: Withdrawal application forms can be obtained from any FNPF Branch or downloaded from the website.
Q: What are the withdrawal types allowed for foreign workers?
Ans: If the foreign workers are registered as FNPF members, they are eligible to apply for all withdrawal schemes provided by the Fund similar to other FNPF members.
Q: Can I cancel my withdrawal application?
Ans: You can if the application has not been approved by FNPF yet. However, on certain circumstances whereby you need to cancel the application, you can write in to the Fund office where the application was submitted.
Q: What is the implication to members if their particulars in the FNPF record is inaccurate?
Ans: If members' particulars in the FNPF record is inaccurate, their withdrawal applications will not be approved until their records are updated.
Q: What are the benefits that I will receive as a FNPF member?
Ans: The benefits that you will receive as a FNPF member and having FNPF savings are:
- Retirement benefit i.e. made up of employer's and employee's share
- Annual Interest on the savings (based on the previous year's balance)
- Death Benefit/ Incapacitation Benefit
Q: What is the processing time for a housing application?
Ans: Provided that a fully completed application is submitted, it takes
- 5 working days for approval
- Fifteen working days from approval for legal documentation
- Two working days from completion of legal document for payment
Q: Does the member need to be a legal owner to be a legal owner of the property in order to use their housing eligibilty
Ans: Yes
Others
Q: What happens if I move overseas?
Ans: If you move overseas the option is open only if you migrate than you can withdraw all your Funds otherwise you can leave back your FNPF and it earns interest, if you reach the age of 55 than the option of becoming a pensioner is there for you. It is best you weigh your options and also consider your health.
Q: Can I apply my withdrawal application online or email?
Ans: No. You may not apply online or email application because you are required to affix your thumbprint impressions and submit the original withdrawal form.
Q: Are the savings that I withdraw subject to income tax?
Ans: The savings that you withdraw from the Fund are not subjected to the income tax.
Q: Does FNPF pay tithe on members' savings?
Ans: The Fund does not pay tithe on members' savings because that is the members’ personal responsibilities.
Q: What is FNPF's action against members who do not use the savings withdrawn for the specified purpose?
Ans: Members are required to return the amount withdrawn to the Fund within six months from the date the applications are approved. In the event that members do not use the money for the specified purpose and fail to return them to FNPF, legal action will be taken against those members. If found guilty, they can be imprisoned for a given term/ fined or both.
Q: Does FNPF appoint any agents to handle withdrawal applications?
Ans: The Fund does not appoint any agent to handle members' withdrawal applications. Members are advised not to deal with any party who claims to be an agent appointed by the Fund to handle withdrawal applications.
Q: Can my representative collect the Statement of Account on my behalf?
Ans: No. The Fund does not allow the statement to be given to a representative or a third party as a Statement of Account is confidential.
SUPERTxt
Q: What's the name of this new service?
Ans: SUPERTxt. SUPER represents our core business as a Superannuation provider; the Txt is the new service that is being introduced to iur members. Superannuation means money which people pay regularly into a special fund so when they retire from their job they will receive money regularly as a pension.
Q: What's the objective of this new service?
Ans:
One of the major objectives of the reforms that the Fund embarked on at the end of 2009 is to provide excellent services to our members. This new service is part of our drive to meet our reform objective.
SUPERTxt will ensure that members are regularly updated of their FNPF account balances.
The other objectives include:
- Watching your retirement savings grow every month
- Ensuring that your FNPF contribution is paid by your employer (i.e. if your balance does not grow from the previous month's than you can enquire with the
- Fund or your employer on whether your contributions were paid or not)
- Ascertaining that your FNPF contribution is posted to your account (your contributions may have been paid but may have not been directed to your account – this will enable you and the Fund to address any anomalies that may arise from unidentified contributions.
Q: How will members have access to this new service?
Ans:
Members need to apply for this service by simply filling the SUPERTxt registration form (Form 3S) to register their personal mobile numbers and provide valid photo ID for verification. Once the forms and identity of the member has been verified then members will be sure to receive an SMS every month outlining their updated balances.
Q: Will this SUPERTxt service incur charges to members?
Ans:
No charges will apply. FNPF will bear the cost of this service.
Q: How much do we have to pay? Will it affect my balance?
Ans:
You would not pay any fee. No, it will not affect your balance.
Q: How will the Fund foot the cost of this service?
Ans:
This is a service that the Fund has introduced for its members. The costing is minimal compared to the benefits this service will bring to our members. The Fund had thoroughly assessed the cost and benefits of this service – and the benefits far outweigh its cost.
Q: What are some of the benefits for the Fund for providing this service?
Ans:
FNPF expects to:
• Reduce queues and telephone call enquiries at Customer Service outlets and Information Centres.
• Enhance customer satisfaction and appreciation of the Fund’s Services
Q: How many members require their balance every month?
Ans:
Up to January, 2011 – we were serving an average of 14,000 members per month.
Q: How many members does the Fund expect to register for this service?
Ans:
Our total membership to January 2011 is about 367,000; we hope to register as many as possible.
Q: What would happen if I lose my telephone?
Ans:
You would need to inform us of this as soon as possible, to allow us to disable the number registered for this service. Or you can always get a new sim, bearing the same number to continue to get access to this service.
Q: Can I register a new number, should there be a need?
Ans:
Yes, you can. You will also need to fill the Form 3S in order to register this new number for this service, and cancel the old number registered with us.
Q: What if my balance for the previous month is the same as the next month?
Ans:
This would be due to several reasons and they include the following:
• Your contributions for that month was not received by the Fund,
• or it was received late by the Fund,
• or it may have been received but was posted to our unidentified account.
• To verify or rectify this you need to contact the Fund as soon as possible.
Q: Is confidentiality guaranteed for this service?
Ans:
Yes, it is guaranteed if the member provides us with his/her own personal mobile number. The text message will not disclose the members' number or name, only the updated balance every month. The onus is on members to store this information and their phones safely.
Q: Is this service provided for overseas members?
Ans:
Yes, it is provided for overseas members provided they comply with the requirements for registration.
Q: What are the major requirements for this new service?
Ans:
Member needs to fill our form (FNPF F3S SUPERTxt Registration /Amendment) and provide us with a photo identification limited to the following:
• Passport or
• FNPF Card or
• Driver's license
FNPF would verify the details provided by the member before we fully register him/her for this new service.
Q: What is the accessibility rate of this service?
Ans:
It is accessible to any member who registers for this service, who is a subscriber to
the Vodafone network.
Q: Can members registered with the Digicel network be able to access this service?
Ans:
FNPF is currently negotiating with Digicel to allow us to broadcast the service via their network. Until the approval is given by Digicel, members on this network would not be able to access this service for now.