The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) has begun the national rollout of biometric verification handheld devices, with the latest handover taking place at the Walvis Bay Rural Constituency Office on Wednesday.
The devices are part of GIPF’s wider effort to improve service delivery and reduce the burden on pensioners and beneficiaries who are currently required to travel long distances to verify their proof of life.
Speaking at the handover, GIPF Chief Executive Officer Martin Inkumbi said, “The Fund introduced the biometric verification process which requires that all eligible pensioners and other beneficiaries verify and provide proof of life. This results in pensioners, child and spousal annuitants receiving their monthly pension benefits on time.â€
Inkumbi said this verification process must take place three times a year and is essential to ensuring that the Fund only pays benefits to those who are eligible.
“Verification is necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Fund, as the GIPF benefits are payable for life,†he added.
The move is expected to bring much-needed convenience to beneficiaries in Walvis Bay, who previously had to travel to the GIPF office in Swakopmund.
Similar devices according to the fund have already been deployed to constituency offices in the Oshikoto, Kavango West, Ohangwena, Hardap and //Kharas regions.
The rollout will continue to other parts of the country based on population size and distance from GIPF offices.
Alongside the handheld devices, the Fund has also launched a Mobile Verification Application.
This self-service tool according to the GIPF , allows pensioners, children, and spousal annuitants to verify their proof of life from home using a smartphone or tablet. The app is available on both Android and Apple devices.
“The Fund urges and implores its pensioners, child and spousal annuitants to embrace these technologies that are secure, safe and accessible,†GIPF said.
“All necessary steps have been taken to ensure that the tools are user-friendly and will save time and money.â€
GIPF said its 14 regional offices across the country will continue to support the constituency offices and provide assistance where needed to ensure members can access and use the verification tools effectively.
