Select the scheme of interest to view frequently asked questions and their corresponding answers

Can Members get loans from the Pension Scheme to purchase houses offered for sales by the Scheme?

Pension Scheme Fund takes care of members after their retirement and as such monies cannot be loaned to anyone including the Sponsor. The Law forbids loaning out of Scheme and Fund money.

When the assets of the Pension Scheme have been apportioned can Members of the Scheme be invited to sign the Agreement on transfer of the assets?

This responsibility is left to the appointed Trustees of the Scheme to verify the assets and agree on the ones to be transferred to Postal Corporation of Kenya Pension Scheme on basis provided by the Actuary in consultation with the Sponsor.

What is the member’s involvement in Appointment of Trustees?

The Law allows that 2/3 of the Trustees be appointed by the Sponsor and 1/3 by members. The Sponsor is not bound to accept member’s nominees and may accept or reject a nominated Trustee if there is reason to do so. Member representation in the PCK Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme (SRBS) is at least one-half (50%).

Do proceeds from the sale of assets benefit retirees?

The assets represent benefits owed to members by the Scheme and have no relationship to the member’s contributions. Member leaving benefits are based on a given formula since the Scheme is a Defined Benefit Plan.

Why are pension scheme members contributing when they were previously on a non-contributory scheme before 1.7.1999, and when should a contributor start earning a pension? Is it based on the date of new contributions or on the 1st appointment?

The law requires that all schemes and funds register with the Retirement Benefits Authority,, and the members become contributors immediately. The Retirement Benefits are computed from the member’s date of 1st appointment to include service under EAP&T, KP&TC, and PCK, whichever is applicable.

Are Members allowed to know how the funds of Scheme and Fund are being Utilized?

The Trustees annually provide Audited Accounts which explain in detail the financial position of both the Scheme and the Fund. The Accounts are explained by the Trustees and the Auditor in detail and copies distributed to Members. Extra copies are left with the Human Resources and Regional Postal Managers for display on Staff Notice Boards.

Does value of Kshs. 894 million include both assets and Contributions?

Contributions are different from Assets. The assets are determined by the Actuary based on Scheme’s share of assets from Telposta Pension Scheme.

What is the monthly income from Property?

It is not possible to determine the monthly income from Property Assets until all the properties are received. However, all rents collected in respect of the properties will be transferred to Postal Corporation of Kenya Pension Scheme and added to the Kshs. 894 million

What is a member’s entitlement from KPTC prior to 31.12.2001?

KPTC did not operate a Pension Scheme for its employees nor was it setting a side funds for retirement benefits. This is why the Actuary valued Postal Corporation of Kenya Scheme’s share at Kshs. 894 million out of the assets held by TelPosta Pension Scheme from KPTC.

Do Members earn dividends from Investment income?

Pension/Provident Fund investment income is meant to strengthen the Scheme and Fund so that Trustees may be able to pay benefits of leaving members and Pensioners on retirement.

Shall AVCs appear in individuals Pay slips?

AVCs will appear in members pay slips. The funds will be invested and paid to leaving members together with interest as determined by the Trustees.

How is Provident Fund paid?

It is paid in one Lumpsum and has no annuities.

What is the effective date of abolition of the Kshs. 540,0000.00 Maximum lumpsum.

PCK management decided on 1st August, 2004 as the cut -off date. The Sponsor has the mandate to determine the cut-off date in accordance with the Trust Deed and Rules

Does a member qualify for benefits after resignation and can the Trustees take such benefits if any to pay for his debts?

A member resigning after one (1) year service with effect from 14th June 2007 will qualify for benefits in accordance with the provision of the Trust Deed and Rules in force at the time of leaving. Benefits are non-assignable and therefore cannot be used to pay debts.

The 5 years dependants’ pension period is too short. Can the period be increased to 10 years?

The period of 5 years is based on legislation and can only be changed by Parliament and Sponsor driven.

Can retirees be allowed to participate in AVCs?

No, since pensioners are not on Sponsor’s payroll

What guarantees independence of Trustees from Sponsor’s interference?

The law demands that Trustees operate independent of the Sponsor in their Transactions. The Trustees are allowed to blow the whistle to Retirement Benefits Authority in case of any interference by Sponsor.

What is the security of the Kshs. 140 million contribution arrears held by PCK?

The Trustees made arrangements with the Sponsor to pay arrears in 30 monthly installments of Kshs. 5 million. The amount is now fully paid-NOTHING OUTSTANDING

What happened to KPTC Members Contributions before 1.7.1999?

During KPTC service members were not contributing. The Corporation operated a Non-contributory Scheme paid from Sponsor Funds.

Provident Fund contributions during KPTC is not shown in members pay slips

The balances on pay slips commenced from 1.7.1999. However, member’s statements being prepared by the Trustees will indicate total contributions plus interest and bonuses since date of commencement of contributions.

Can Members get loans from the Pension Scheme to purchase houses offered for sale by the Scheme?

The pension scheme fund takes care of members after their retirement, and as such, monies cannot be loaned to anyone, including the sponsor. The law forbids loaning out scheme and fund money.

When the assets of the pension scheme have been apportioned, can members of the scheme be invited to sign the agreement on the transfer of the assets?

This responsibility is left to the appointed Trustees of the scheme to verify the assets and agree on the ones to be transferred to the Postal Corporation of Kenya Pension Scheme on the basis provided by the actuary in consultation with the sponsor.

What is the member’s involvement in the appointment of Trustees?

The law allows that 2/3 of the Trustees be appointed by the sponsor and 1/3 by members. The Sponsor is not bound to accept members’ nominees and may accept or reject a nominated Trustee if there is reason to do so. Member representation in the PCK Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme (SRBS) is at least one-half (50%).

Do proceeds from sale of Assets Benefit Retirees?

The assets represent benefits owed to members by the Scheme and have no relationship to the member’s contributions. Member leaving benefits are based on a given formula since the scheme is a defined benefit scheme.

Why are Pension Scheme members contributing when they were previously on a non-contributoryScheme before 1.7.1999 and when should a contributor start earning pension? Is it from the date of new contributions or based on 1st Appointment?

The law requires that all Schemes and Funds must register with Retirement Benefits Authority and the members become contributors immediately. The Retirement Benefits are computed from the member’s date of 1st appointment to include service under EAP&T, KP&TC and PCK whichever is applicable.

Are Members allowed to know how the funds of the scheme and fund are being utilized?

The Trustees annually provide Audited Accounts which explain in detail the financial position of both the Scheme and the Fund. The Accounts are explained by the Trustees and the Auditor in detail and copies distributed to Members. Extra copies are left with the Human Resources and Regional Postal Managers for display on Staff Notice Boards.

Does the value of Kshs. 894 million include both assets and contributions?

Contributions are different from Assets. The assets are determined by the Actuary based on Scheme’s share of assets from Telposta Pension Scheme.

What is the monthly income from the property?

It is not possible to determine the monthly income from Property Assets until all the properties are received. However, all rents collected in respect of the properties will be transferred to Postal Corporation of Kenya Pension Scheme and added to the Kshs. 894 million

What is a member’s entitlement from KPTC before 31.12.2001?

KPTC did not operate a Pension Scheme for its employees nor was it setting a side funds for retirement benefits. This is why the Actuary valued Postal Corporation of Kenya Scheme’s share at Kshs. 894 million out of the assets held by TelPosta Pension Scheme from KPTC.

Do members earn from investment income?

Pension/provident fund investment income is intended to strengthen the scheme and fund so that Trustees can pay benefits to members leaving service.