1. The Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) concluded an agreement on 18 November 2003 (PSCBC Resolution 7 of 2003) which provides for the recognition of service in the former non-statutory forces (NSFs) as pensionable service by contributing members of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF). The agreement came into effect on 31 March 2004, the publication date of the relevant amended rules of the GEPF. All employees who possibly qualify as beneficiaries are afforded the opportunity to apply to have those years of service recognised as pensionable service.
2. Persons who might qualify are employees who were members of the respective former Non-Statutory Forces and who were appointed to positions in the Public Service before or on 31 March 2002. The comprehensive definition of "former member of a non-statutory force" is contained in Section 1 of the Government Employees Pension Law Amendment Act, 2003 and includes persons who have, in the meantime, left the Public Service (due to retirement, resignation, discharge, etc.), as well as persons who were employed, but never admitted to the GEPF.
3. Service in the NSFs can be recognised in terms of the following guidelines:
3.1 NSFs service is, in the first instance, defined as the period between the certified date of joining the former NSFs (but excluding NSFs service prior to the age of 16 years) and the date of appointment to the Public Service.
3.2 It will be recognised as follows on a sliding scale:
3.2.1 50% of the service will be recognised for former NSFs members with fewer than 10 years' NSFs service, and
3.2.2 100% of the service will be recognised for former NSFs members with 10 or more years' NSFs service.
3.3 Eligible persons will be required to contribute at a rate of 5% in respect of the service which is recognised. For persons who are unable or who choose not to pay the employee's contribution, pensionable service will be reduced accordingly.
3.4 Persons who benefit from this agreement will be excluded from any benefits payable under the Special Pensions Act, 1966. Any and all amounts payable to eligible persons who qualify for a special pension or demobilisation benefit under the Demobilisation Act, 1966 at the date of recognition of NSFs service, will be taken into account in the computation of additional service under these provisions, unless members opt to repay the value of these benefits to the GSPF.
4. If any person is of the opinion that he or she has former NSFs service which might possibly be taken into account in terms of the above-mentioned rules for addition to pensionable service as a member of the Government Employees Pension Fund, full particulars of the term which he or she served in the NSF must be submitted to the Personnel Office (Public Service) at the WCED Head Office per fax or telephone by 30 March 2007.
5. Kindly bring the contents of this circular minute to the attention of all staff members under your control.


SIGNED: W.T. WILKINSON
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2007:03:28