Question NW4221 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
11 December 2015 - NW4221
Robertson, Mr K to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
(1)(a) When will the military pension for all military veterans be finalised and (b) what are the cost implications of the military pension; (2) whether the military veterans from the former non-statutory forces will continue to receive the special pension in addition to the military pension; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the further relevant details, (b) what is the current amount for the special pension and (c) how is the specified amount scaled; (3) in what ways will the military pension impact on any other pension that a military veteran may receive; (4) whether her department budgeted for the military pension; if not, why not; if so, what (a) are the relevant
Reply:
(1) A process of consultation with role players is underway.
(2) Depending on the outcome of the consultations, the department proposes to prioritise the former non-statutory force members who did not qualify for Special Pensions from 1996 and destitute World War military veterans in the provisioning of pension.
(a) In instances where the value of the Special Pensions is lower than the value of the military pension’s value, top-up is proposed.
(b) and (c) Special Pensions does not pay a standardized pension amount to the beneficiaries but utilizes a formula which considers the age of the beneficiary and the years spent in service.
(3) Whilst there are on-going consultations, the view of the Department is that any pension granted to Military Veterans may be offset against other benefits received from the State, such as the Special Pensions.
(4) During the 2014-15 financial periods, the department made contingency provisions to provide pension to 500 Military Veterans at an estimated cost of approximately R23 million.
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 11 DECEMBER 2015