I was medically boarded, but my monthly pension is not enough to cover medical expenses. Can these payments be increased?

The long answer

The CRF operates as a defined contribution fund, meaning retirement benefits depend on contributions and investment performance. Standard member contributions are 7.5% or 9% of pensionable salary, with employer contributions usually around 18%. 

The monthly disability income is an insurance benefit to replace your lost salary while you are unable to work, whereas the member share is your accumulated retirement savings. The monthly income disability benefit is usually 75% of your annual pensionable salary, up to a maximum of R200,000 per month.

It seems that the monthly payment you receive from CFR will depend on the risk category you chose when you were employed and the type of disability claim that was accepted. Your risk category also determines how much of your monthly contributions are used to purchase your risk cover and how much goes towards your retirement savings.

The current disability payment that you receive is based on a specific policy definition. Unless the medical expenses are covered by an additional, separate, and active "dread disease" benefit, additional funds for general expenses are generally not provided by the fund once the initial disability claim has been approved.

You should ask CRF for a statement of your benefit to understand if their disability income policy has any provision for cost-of-living adjustments or additional benefits.

You can contact the CRF Member Centre directly on 0861 CRFUND (273863) or speak to a CRF-appointed advisor to review your specific risk category and income options.

Wishing you the best,
Athalie