Insurance & pensions
Here's where to go for advice and complaints about insurance schemes or pension funds - including provident funds, retirement annuities and social grants.
Short-term Insurance Ombudsman
Investigates complaints from the public against short-term insurers that are members of the Ombudsman for Short-term Insurance Association. You must first complain to the insurer or broker concerned.
The ombudsman usually holds an open house on Wednesday mornings for quick advice sessions at Promat Centre, 5th Floor, 27 Stiemens Street, Braamfontein.
- Tel: (011) 726 8900
- Fax: (011) 726 5501
- Web site
- Common problems
- How to complain
- Guidelines on short-term insurance
Long-term Insurance Ombudsman
Investigates complaints from the public against life and long-term insurers that participate in the Ombudsman's Scheme. But first try to resolve the dispute with your insurer.
Handles complaints regarding private sector pension funds, including provident funds and retirement annuities.
- Tel: (021) 674 0209
- Fax: (021) 674 0185
- Web site
- Guide to lodging a complaint
Handles complaints regarding government employee pension funds.
- Tel: (012) 319 1911/1000
- Fax: (012) 326 2507
- Web site
- Guide to lodging a complaint
If you have a problem with a social grant, including old age pensions, contact the Department of Social Development through its head office or your nearest provincial office.
- Tel: (012) 312 7500/7775
- Toll-free: 0800 601 011
- Fax: (012) 312 7943
- Web site
- Online questions and comments form
- Eastern Cape: Tel (040) 636 4304 or 609 3931/61
- Free State: Tel (051) 405 4821/5000
- Gauteng: Tel (011) 355 7878/7600/7873
- KwaZulu-Natal: Tel (035) 874 3703 or 874 3700/5/6/7
- Limpopo (Northern Province): Tel (015) 290 9075/9000
- Mpumalanga: Tel: (013) 752 4106 or 766 3098
- Northern Cape: Tel: (053) 830 0786 or 832 7839/4/5
- North West: Tel: (018) 387 5755/4295
- Western Cape: Tel (021) 461 4143 or 483 3158/3858/5445
Unresolved problems with social grants can also be taken to the Public Protector:
- Postal address: Private Bag X677, Pretoria 0001
- Street address: Sinodale Centre, 228 Visagie Street, Pretoria
- Tel: (012) 322 2916
- Toll-free: 0800 112 040
- Fax: (012) 322 5093
- Web page
Financial Services Board
Independent statutory body that oversees the non-banking financial services industry - including insurers,
retirement funds, unit trust schemes, and financial markets - and handles complaints in the public interest.
However, you should only contact the Board if you feel that the law has been transgressed or is inadequate.
- Tel: (012) 428 8000
- Toll-free: 0800 110 443 / 0800 202 087
- Fax: (012) 347 0221
- Web site (click on "online complaint" to file a complaint electronically)
