The Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF) last week launched the Biometric Verification Mobile Application and Biometric Verification handheld devices in Okandjira, Ovitoto in the Otjozondjupa region. 

In a media statement, the fund noted that it strives to achieve service excellence for an exceptional stakeholder experience and interaction, solidifying its commitment to positively transform operations and its strategic objective of being a member-centric pension fund.  The digital products and services are expected to improve business processes, and meet stakeholder s’expectations. 

 Speaking at the launch, Martin Inkumbi, the CEO of GIPF stated; “The fund introduced the biometric verification process which requires that all eligible pensioners verify and provide proof of life.  

This results in pensioners, child and spousal annuitants receiving their monthly pension benefits on time.”  

He added it is imperative this group of members verify proof of life three times a year at GIPF offices across the country.  This process ensures the fund only pays benefits to eligible members and beneficiaries of the GIPF.  

“Biometric verification is not convenient for many due to the long travelling distances, money required for transport, and the burden of physically visiting the fund’s offices,” GIPF stated. 

Inkumbi noted this process is, however, necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the fund, as these benefits are payable for life. 

 “We have heard the appeals to improve our biometric verification process, and therefore introduced integrating digital transformation to streamline our business processes by embracing new and emerging technologies for the benefit of our members and their beneficiaries,” he said. 

Also speaking at the same event, Israel Hukura, Omatako constituency councillor, stated; “The GIPF, through these innovations, have heard the plight of our elderly and most vulnerable in our communities by ensuring that self-service and decentralisation of products and services has become a reality.”   

 Meanwhile, the fund has reached out to various regional and local authority constituency offices across the country, where the handheld devices will be available for members to verify proof of life.  

Moreover, the fund identified Ovitoto and 13 constituency offices across the country to dispatch the handheld devices as a pilot phase before introducing the offering to other parts of the country.  

The 13 constituency offices are !Nami#nus, Rehoboth Rural, Mukwe, Mpungu, Khorixas, Okongo, Otjombinde, Otamanzi, Uuvudhiya, Omuntele, Tsumkwe, Omatako and Kongola.  The fund further stated it will announce the further roll-out of the handheld devices to other parts of the country. The handheld devices require applicable members to visit regional constituency offices to verify. 

The Mobile Verification Application is a self-service tool for members to verify proof of life in the comfort of their homes.  This application is available to all GIPF pensioners, child and spousal annuitants, who have access to a mobile device, and data.  

The application is available from the date of launch, Thursday, 10 October 2024, on all android devices and will be coming soon to IOS devices. 

The dates of availability on Apple devices will be communicated in due course.   

GIPF implores all pensioners, child and spousal annuitants to embrace these technologies as they are secure, safe and accessible.  

The fund has taken all the necessary steps to ensure that the tools are user-friendly, and will save members time and money to verify proof of life so as not to forfeit benefit payments.