Provident Fund payout

You should receive your provident fund payout within 21 days if your tax affairs are in order and all the required documents (such as a copy of your ID, a completed instruction form stating where the money should go, and proof of banking details) have been sent to the fund by your employer.

Waiting period for provident fund

It does seem like a very long time to wait for your provident fund. Normally it should not take more than 4 to 8 weeks, if your tax affairs are in order, but if you belong to a bargaining council fund, there is usually a compulsory waiting period which can be up to six months long.

Provident fund payout calculated in South Africa


Contribution made by the employee equals 12% of his/her Basic Pay plus Dearness Allowance (DA). When the Basic Pay + DA is less than or equal to Rs 15000, the employee contribution is 12% of Basic Pay + DA, whereas the employer contribution is 3.67% of the Basic Pay + DA.

Does provident fund pay out when you resign?

If you resign, or you are retrenched, you are allowed to withdraw from your employer-sponsored retirement fund (that is a pension or provident fund). The “benefit” you can claim is the balance in your retirement account.

How to get my provident fund money

You need to contact the HR department of each of your former employers and a) find out where your money is; 2) request a withdrawal form if the money is still in the employer’s retirement fund;

How to check my provident fund balance in South Africa

Give a missed call to 011-22901406 from your registered mobile number. You’ll receive an SMS containing your EPF balance.

SARS does not use your retirement fund lump sum to deduct tax that you owe in respect of income – this is not permitted by the Pension Funds Act. But SARS does require you to submit outstanding returns and pay amounts that are long overdue before issuing your tax clearance certificate.

Tax to pay on my provident fund payout South Africa

The tax is calculated as follows: 18% of the amount by which the R45 000 is more than R25 000 = 18% of (R45 000 – R25 000) = 18% of R20 000 = R3 600 • The first R25 000 of the R45 000 is tax free while R3 600 tax is payable. On 31 January 2019, Mr T retires from the DEF Provident Fund.

How much does SARS deduct on provident fund?

It doesn’t matter whether you have a pension, provident or retirement annuity (RA) fund – or even a combination of all three – you’ll qualify for a tax deduction of up to 27.5% of your taxable income (up to a maximum of R350 000 per year).

Period that an employer has to pay you after being fired in South Africa

The Basic Conditions of employment Act, 75 of 1997, section 32 requires employers to pay remuneration to employees within 7 days of termination of the employment contract.


Overview of Public Universities in South Africa

Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.

University of Pretoria

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
  • Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.

University of Cape Town

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
  • Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.

Stellenbosch University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.

University of the Witwatersrand

  • Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
  • Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.

University of Johannesburg

  • Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
  • Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.

University of the Free State

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.

University of Venda

  • Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
  • Application Period: Usually from May to September.

University of Fort Hare

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
  • Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.

University of the Western Cape

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Generally from May to September.

North-West University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.

Rhodes University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
  • Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.

Nelson Mandela University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
  • Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.

University of Limpopo

  • Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

University of Zululand

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
  • Application Period: Usually between April and November.

Central University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.

Vaal University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
  • Application Period: Typically from May to September.

Walter Sisulu University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.