1. Question about the impact of COVID-19 on the UNJSPF in the short/medium/long term and how it will impact staff separating from service or retiring in 2020/2021
COVID-19 is not affecting the stability of the Fund. Falls in the market value of investments are normal and do not affect the payment of pensions since the Fund has been fully funded. The Fund takes a long-term view.
The UNJSPF is a fully funded defined benefit plan. Pensions are calculated based on established factors and formula defined under the plan. The current market performance has no bearing on your pension amount.
Those retiring in the future can be assured that they will continue to receive their regular monthly benefit at the rate due to them in line with the Fund’s Regulations.
Retirees and beneficiaries can be assured that they will continue to receive their regular monthly benefit at the rate due to them in line with the Fund’s Regulations. They have no reason to be concerned.
With respect to its core operations, Fund staff working from home continue to process benefits of all kinds as normal as well as all other requests, like validation, restoration or transfer related requests, changes in payment instructions, changes of address, processes relating to the Certificate of Entitlement (CE), etc.
Info material:
- UNJSPF website: https://www.unjspf.org/
- Website of the Office of Investment Management: https://oim.unjspf.org/
- Actuarial Matters: https://www.unjspf.org/actuarial-matters/
- Statutory Bodies of the Fund: https://www.unjspf.org/statutory-bodies-of- the-fund/
- Pension Board: https://www.unjspf.org/pension-board/
- Regulations and Rules of the UNJSPF: https://www.unjspf.org/regulations-and-rules- of-the-unjspf/
- Educational Videos; please refer particularly to videos #2 and #3 explaining How the Fund works and how the Fund is Managing Risk: https://www.unjspf.org/whiteboard-videos/
Yes. The Fund’s business continuity plan is currently in play.
The teleworking arrangements did not hamper the Fund’s operations. There was no break in the processing cases and pension payments. Calls into our call centers and emails are answered as usual. Only the walk-in services were affected due to the lockdown and closure of the office premises.
Info material:
- UNJSPF Contact details: https://www.unjspf.org/contact-us/
- UNJSPF Toll Free Numbers: https://www.unjspf.org/toll-free-numbers/
2. Question about the possibility of early and partial withdrawal of pension contributions
There are no Regulations in the Fund that allow early or partial payment of a withdrawal settlement.
One has to separate from service in order for the Fund to be able to pay any type of benefit (including a withdrawal settlement).
Anyone interested in receiving a Withdrawal Settlement (i.e., one time final cash payment based on the amount of one’s own contributions) upon separation from service, can opt for the payment of such benefit for as long as they are younger than their normal retirement age for pension purposes (60, 62 or 65) at the date of their separation from service; unlike for retirement benefit entitlement, there is NO requirement of minimum years of contributory service in the Fund to be entitled to a Withdrawal Settlement.
Anyone who separates with at least 5 years of contributory service and has reached at least their early retirement age (55 or 58) at separation, if they elected an early or a normal retirement benefit (articles 29 or 28), could opt to receive a partial cash lump sum payment as part of their life long periodic retirement entitlement; the lump sum would be paid at the time of benefit implementation.
Info material:
- Benefit Comparison charts: https://www.unjspf.org/benefit-comparison- page/
- Information tab on the Fund’s website: https://www.unjspf.org/information/
- Regulations and Rules of the UNJSPF: https://www.unjspf.org/regulations-and-rules- of-the-unjspf/
3. Questions relating to separation from service and submission of official UNJSPF forms and other separation-related documentation
YES, the processing of physical mail is considered an essential service for the UNJSPF and a small team of UNJSPF staff continues to work on the Fund’s premises, several days a week, to receive, process and dispatch physical mail.
The Fund receives regular deliveries of pouch, postal and special courier mail (e.g. DHL, Fedex, UPS, etc.).
It is also possible to upload official forms into MSS using the MSS document upload feature. Please click on the link below for more information about this new feature (https://www.unjspf.org/official-documents-can-now-be-submitted-to-the-fund-electronically-through-unjspf-member-self-service/)
Info material:
- USPS (United States Postal Services) website and page providing updates on the status of International Mail Service Suspensions: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service- alerts/international/welcome.htm
- MSS Document Upload article: https://www.unjspf.org/official-documents-can-now-be-submitted-to-the-fund-electronically-through-unjspf-member-self-service/
Yes, you can submit scanned copies of all original UNJSPF forms through the MSS Document Upload feature. Please click on the link below for more information about this new feature (https://www.unjspf.org/official-documents-can-now-be-submitted-to-the-fund-electronically-through-unjspf-member-self-service/)
If you cannot see the document upload feature in your MSS, it is suggested that you liaise with your respective SPC (where applicable) or Pension Focal Points within your organizations who will then send the documents to the UNJSPF via approved and especially created channels of transmission.
In case there is no Pension Focal Point inside your organization, please contact the Fund via the online Contact Form on our website, so that upon receipt of your query, the Fund can provide you with guidance on how to proceed.
Info material:
- UNJSPF HR Resources webpage providing an overview of the Separation Process, a Checklist for Separation Documents Needed and the UNJSPF Processing Timeline for new benefits: https://www.unjspf.org/human- resource-network/
- UNJSPF Contact details: https://www.unjspf.org/contact-us/
- UNJSPF Toll Free Numbers: https://www.unjspf.org/toll-free-numbers/
- MSS Document Upload article: https://www.unjspf.org/official-documents-can-now-be-submitted-to-the-fund-electronically-through-unjspf-member-self-service/
You can submit your separation documents through the MSS Document Upload feature. However, before submitting your payment instructions and any required supporting documents via UNJSPF MSS you must check with your HR Partner, Pension Focal point, or SPC, as applicable, for instructions on the requirements and the correct process to follow in your employing organization for the submission of pension-related separation documents. Indeed, in some organizations, you may be required to submit these documents to your HR office for their onward submission to the Fund.
All submissions must also include COPIES of the following documentation:
- a valid government-issued picture ID document (passport or other government-issued ID document that carries the individual’s full name, date of birth and scripted signature);
- a voided cheque; and/or
- a recently dated hard copy bank statement or screen capture of online bank statement.
In cases where it’s not possible to submit the required documents through MSS, the organization transmits the PI and other documents to the Fund, together with the SEPPA and SEP documents from HR and Payroll, via the established agreed channel and mailboxes.
Info material:
- UNJSPF HR Resources webpage provides an overview of the Separation Process, a Checklist for Separation Documents Needed, and the UNJSPF Processing Timeline for new benefits: https://www.unjspf.org/human-resource- network/
- UNJSPF Contact details: https://www.unjspf.org/contact-us/
- UNJSPF Toll-Free Numbers: https://www.unjspf.org/toll-free-numbers/
- MSS Document Upload article: https://www.unjspf.org/official-documents-can-now-be-submitted-to-the-fund-electronically-through-unjspf-member-self-service/
4. Question relating to separation from service and processing times for new benefits - namely in the context of possible resignation or agreed termination due to COVID-19
The Fund’s promise is to pay initial benefits within 15 business days of receipt of the complete and valid separation documents.
Currently, over 90% of the initial benefits are processed by the Fund within 15 business days of receipt of the complete separation documents.
It is the responsibility of your employing organization to get the documents to the Fund as soon as possible after you separate. You can track receipt of the required three separation documents by the Fund (i.e. your Payment Instructions form, the Separation PA from your HR (interfaced), and the Separation Notification/PF4 from your Payroll office) inside your Member Self Service, under the PROOF DOCUMENTS tab.
Info material:
- UNJSPF HR Resources webpage provides an overview of the Separation Process, a Checklist for Separation Documents Needed, and the UNJSPF Processing Timeline for new benefits: https://www.unjspf.org/human- resource-network/
- UNJSPF Member Self Service (MSS) webpage: https://www.unjspf.org/member- self-service/
5. Questions about plan design and governance
The plan design features, including the formula for benefit calculations, and governance are decided by the Pension Board and UN General Assembly. It is not in the hands of the management of the Fund. Changes normally take years. But nothing has been changed in relation to COVID-19.
Info material:
- Benefit Comparison charts: https://www.unjspf.org/benefit-comparison- page/
- Information tab on the Fund’s website:
- https://www.unjspf.org/information/
- Regulations and Rules of the UNJSPF: https://www.unjspf.org/regulations-and-rules- of-the-unjspf/
The plan design features, including the formula for benefit calculations, and governance are decided by the Pension Board and UN General Assembly. It is not in the hands of the management of the Fund. Changes normally take years. But nothing has been changed in relation to COVID-19.
Info material:
- Benefit Comparison charts: https://www.unjspf.org/benefit-comparison- page/
- Information tab on the Fund’s website: https://www.unjspf.org/information/
- Regulations and Rules of the UNJSPF: https://www.unjspf.org/regulations-and-rules- of-the-unjspf/
A staff member who dies whilst employed will be treated by the Fund as a “Death-in-service”. It should be noted that the reason of death has no impact on whether a benefit is payable following a death in service.
Info material:
- Information tab on the Fund’s website: https://www.unjspf.org/information/
- Regulations and Rules of the UNJSPF: https://www.unjspf.org/regulations-and-rules- of-the-unjspf/
- Educational Videos; please refer particularly to videos #11, #15 and #16 about the Residual Benefit and Survivors benefits: https://www.unjspf.org/whiteboard-videos/
6. Questions about implementation of Survivor's Benefits: submission of the death certificate, form PENS.E2 and other required documentation - signature authentication requirements
Please follow the steps and advice below, so that the Fund’s Entitlements Section (PES) and Financial Services (FSS) can take the required action to stop the payment of our beneficiary’s monthly benefit and, if applicable, confirm eligibility to (a) survivor’s benefit(s). Once confirmed, PES will contact you with detailed guidance on the documentation required to implement your benefit.
If you need to inform the Fund about the death of a retiree or a beneficiary, kindly provide the following information when contacting the Fund:
- The deceased’s full name;
- The deceased’s date of birth;
- The date of death (day/month/year);
- The deceased’s Pension Fund reference number (UNJSPF Unique ID or Retirement number), if known;
- The deceased’s official mailing address.
If possible, kindly also include the following information:
6. Contact details for the surviving family;
7. An original or a certified copy of the deceased’s death certificate should be sent to the Fund as soon as possible;
8. Any additional information that could be helpful.
The quickest way to notify the Fund of the death of a retiree or beneficiary is by contacting the Fund via the online Contact Form (please refer to the contact details in the column to the right), OR by sending an e-mail to the following dedicated mailbox reserved for this purpose: deathrelated@unjspf.org. (Please note that ONLY those emails will be answered at the above email address that report the death of a retiree or beneficiary of the UNJSPF.)
Info material:
- Information for Retirees/Beneficiaries tab on the Fund’s website: https://www.unjspf.org/info-for-retirees- beneficiaries/
- Educational Videos; please refer particularly to videos #11, #15 and #16 about the Residual Benefit and Survivors benefits: https://www.unjspf.org/whiteboard-videos/
- Educational Booklets; please refer particularly to booklet about Survivors benefits, which includes the list of documents required to process survivors benefits: https://www.unjspf.org/informational- booklets/
- FAQ for Beneficiaries: https://www.unjspf.org/help- tutorials/frequently-asked-questions-faqs/faq- beneficiaries/
- Authentication of Signatures & Documents: https://www.unjspf.org/authentication-of- signatures-and-docs/
- Urgent Assistance webpage for beneficiaries, with information on how to report non-receipt of established regular monthly benefit payments OR the death of a beneficiary to the Fund: https://www.unjspf.org/emergency/
- UNJSPF Contact details: https://www.unjspf.org/contact-us/
- UNJSPF Toll Free Numbers: https://www.unjspf.org/toll-free-numbers/
Normally the Fund requires a certified copy or an original official Death Certificate to record a retiree’s/beneficiary’s death and take all required related action.
However, if due to COVID-19 circumstances no official Death Certificate can be issued, the Fund will accept submission of a hospital or doctor issued death notification together with a death notification from the Funeral Home. Once the official Death Certificate becomes available it should be sent to the Fund as soon as possible to complete the Fund’s records.
Given the COVID-19 circumstances, the Fund will accept an electronic copy of the official government issued Death Certificate.
Please send the Death Certificate to the Fund at the following mailbox deathrelated@unjspf.org.
Info material:
- Urgent Assistance webpage for beneficiaries, with information on how to report non-receipt of established regular monthly benefit payments OR the death of a beneficiary to the Fund: https://www.unjspf.org/emergency/
- UNJSPF Contact details: https://www.unjspf.org/contact-us/
- UNJSPF Toll-Free Numbers: https://www.unjspf.org/toll-free-numbers/
YES, the processing of physical mail is considered an essential service for the UNJSPF and a small team of UNJSPF staff continues to work on the Fund’s premises, several days a week, to receive, process and dispatch physical mail. The Fund receives regular deliveries of pouch, postal and special courier mail (e.g. DHL, Fedex, UPS, etc.).
Info material:
- USPS (United States Postal Services) website and page providing updates on the status of International Mail Service Suspensions: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service- alerts/international/welcome.htm
Given the COVID-19 circumstances, the Fund is willing to exceptionally accept electronic copies of the core documentation, including the official UNJSPF form PENS.E2 for the implementation of Survivor’s Benefits.
Ideally, if that is possible, such documentation should be routed through the late UNJSPF retiree’s former employing organization, the SPC or other UN offices. However, well aware that this is most often not possible, note that you can send the required documentation electronically to the Fund at the following mailbox deathrelated@unjspf.org, (OR a mailbox specifically provided to you by the Fund’s team in charge of processing your benefit -they would have given the information to you in an email addressed directly to you).
If because of COVID-19 you are submitting the electronic PENS.E2 form to the Fund, the following documentation is required from you:
- Electronic copy of your late spouse’s official Death Certificate;
- Electronic copy of your duly completed, dated and signed PENS.E2 form; the form can be downloaded from the UNJSPF website via the following link: https://www.unjspf.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/pens- e2e_v2.pdf.
- Electronic copy of your marriage certificate;
- Electronic copy of your valid government-issued picture ID document (passport or other government-issued ID document that carries the individual’s full name, date of birth and scripted signature);
- Electronic copy of a voided cheque; and/or
- Electronic copy of a recently dated hard copy bank statement or screen capture of online bank statement which provides your full name and matches the banking information your provided on form PENS.E2.
Once the Fund has received the required documentation in an acceptable format, it will start the review process.
Info material:
- Information for Retirees/Beneficiaries tab on the Fund’s website: https://www.unjspf.org/info-for-retirees- beneficiaries/
- Educational Videos; please refer particularly to videos #11, #15 and #16 about the Residual Benefit and Survivors benefits: https://www.unjspf.org/whiteboard-videos/
- Educational Booklets; please refer particularly to booklet about Survivors benefits, which includes the list of documents required to process survivors’ benefits: https://www.unjspf.org/informational- booklets/
- FAQ for Beneficiaries: https://www.unjspf.org/help- tutorials/frequently-asked-questions-faqs/faq- beneficiaries/
- Authentication of Signatures & Documents: https://www.unjspf.org/authentication-of- signatures-and-docs/
- Tutorial – How to complete form PENS.E2: https://www.unjspf.org/pens-e-2-tutorial/
- Urgent Assistance webpage for beneficiaries, with information on how to report non-receipt of established regular monthly benefit payments OR the death of a beneficiary to the Fund: https://www.unjspf.org/emergency/
- UNJSPF Contact details: https://www.unjspf.org/contact-us/
- UNJSPF Toll Free Numbers: https://www.unjspf.org/toll-free-numbers/
Mindful of the special situation and COVID-19 imposed restrictions, the Fund will exceptionally accept the form without the normally required signature authentication. However, as soon as the offices re-open, you must visit such authenticating official and have your signature duly authenticated by such official before sending the duly completed, original form to the Fund. In that case, you must affix on top of the form page the mention “COVID-19 ORIGINAL’ so that the Fund can distinguish it from the form submitted previously.
Info material:
- Authentication of Signatures & Documents: https://www.unjspf.org/authentication-of- signatures-and-docs/
- UNJSPF Contact details: https://www.unjspf.org/contact-us/
- UNJSPF Toll Free Numbers: https://www.unjspf.org/toll-free-numbers/
The UNJSPF does NOT handle the administration of health insurance through ASHI, which is entirely separate from pension administration. The UNJSPF does report death to ASHI.
Please contact ASHI directly to report the death of your spouse/family member so that they can take all the necessary action and inform you of what is required from you to continue ASHI coverage following your spouse’s death.
Once the Fund has confirmed and implemented your entitlement to a surviving spouse’s benefit, the UNJSPF will report this to ASHI. Provided you have instructed ASHI to do so, ASHI would then be able to set up your regular monthly ASHI premium deductions from your monthly surviving spouse’s benefit. For all questions relating to ASHI, please contact them directly.
Info material:
- After Service Health Insurance (ASHI) Contact details – c/o UN New York:
E-mail: ashi@un.org;
Website: https://www.un.org/insurance/retirees- survivors
- After Service Health Insurance (ASHI)
Contact details – c/o UN Geneva: E-mail:
Website: https://medical-insurance.unog.ch/
- After Service Health Insurance (ASHI) Contact details – Other duty stations: Please contact the Human Resources Office of your late spouse’s former employing organization.
7. Questions about submission of official UNJSPF forms and other required documentation during COVID-19 (RETIREES/BENEFICIARIES)
The processing of physical mail is considered an essential service for the UNJSPF and a small team of UNJSPF staff continues to work on the Fund’s premises, several days a week, to receive, process and dispatch physical mail. The Fund receives regular deliveries of pouch, postal and special courier mail DHL, Fedex, UPS, etc.).
It is also possible to upload official forms into MSS using the MSS document upload feature. Please click on the link below for more information about this new feature (https://www.unjspf.org/official-documents-can-now-be-submitted-to-the-fund-electronically-through-unjspf-member-self-service/)
Once the required documentation has been received in the acceptable format, the Fund will process your request within 15 business days.
Info material:
- USPS (United States Postal Services) website and page providing updates on the status of International Mail Service Suspensions: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service- alerts/international/welcome.htm
- UNJSPF Member Self Service (MSS) webpage; please access your MSS and inside access the E-Forms page where you can access, download and print all of the Fund’s official forms, pre-completed with your name and your UNJSPF Unique ID number (UID): https://www.unjspf.org/member-self- service/
- Tutorial – How to register for Member Self Service (MSS): https://www.unjspf.org/wp- content/uploads/2020/04/How-to-Register- in-Member-Self-Service.pdf
- UNJSPF Contact details: https://www.unjspf.org/contact-us/
- UNJSPF Toll Free Numbers: https://www.unjspf.org/toll-free-numbers/
- MSS Document Upload article: https://www.unjspf.org/official-documents-can-now-be-submitted-to-the-fund-electronically-through-unjspf-member-self-service/
Mindful of the special situation and COVID-19 imposed restrictions, the Fund will exceptionally accept the form without the normally required signature authentication. However, as soon as the offices re-open, you must visit such authenticating official and have your signature duly authenticated by such official before sending the duly completed, original hardcopy form to the Fund.
In that case, you must affix on top of the form page the mention “COVID-19 ORIGINAL’ so that the Fund can distinguish it from the electronic version of the form submitted previously.
Info material:
- Authentication of Signatures & Documents: https://www.unjspf.org/authentication-of- signatures-and-docs/
- UNJSPF Contact details: https://www.unjspf.org/contact-us/
- UNJSPF Toll Free Numbers: https://www.unjspf.org/toll-free-numbers/
If you want to change your banking instructions/payment options for your monthly pension payments, you must inform the Fund by submitting the duly completed, dated and signed form PF23. You can access this form inside your MSS under the E-Forms tab, or on our website via the following link: https://www.unjspf.org/documents/change-of-payment-options/
You can either mail the PF23 to the Fund, or submit it through MSS Document Upload, a new feature in MSS.
If you are submitting your PF23 in electronic format to the Fund, please note that the following documentation is required from you:
- Electronic copy of your duly completed, dated and signed PF23 form; ideally, you should download the form from the E-Forms tab inside your Member Self Service (MSS) portal; or, if that is not possible, you can download form PF23 from the UNJSPF website via the following link: https://www.unjspf.org/documents/change-of-payment-options/.
- Electronic copy of your valid government-issued picture ID document (passport or other government-issued ID document that carries the individual’s full name, date of birth and scripted signature);
- Electronic copy of a voided cheque; and/or
- Electronic copy of a recently dated hard copy bank statement or screen capture of online bank statement which provides your full name and matches the banking information you provided on form PF23.
All of the above also applies when you request to change your banking instructions from check payment to wire transfer to a bank account in your name.
Once the required documentation has been received in the acceptable format, the Fund will process your request within 15 business days.
Info material:
- UNJSPF Member Self Service (MSS) webpage; please access your MSS and inside access the E-Forms page where you can access, download and print all of the Fund’s official forms, pre-completed with your name and your UNJSPF Unique ID number (UID): https://www.unjspf.org/member-self- service/
- Tutorial – How to register for Member Self Service (MSS): https://www.unjspf.org/wp- content/uploads/2020/04/How-to-Register- in-Member-Self-Service.pdf
- UNJSPF Contact details: https://www.unjspf.org/contact-us/
- UNJSPF Toll-Free Numbers: https://www.unjspf.org/toll-free-numbers/
- MSS Document Upload article: https://www.unjspf.org/official-documents-can-now-be-submitted-to-the-fund-electronically-through-unjspf-member-self-service/
It is important that the UNJSPF is informed of your change of address, so that we can ensure that all official UNJSPF mail reaches you in the future, namely, the annual Certificate of Entitlement (CE).
Most of the Fund’s retirees and beneficiaries can change their address inside their Member Self Service (MSS), under the ADDRESS tab. Only beneficiaries whose benefit is paid under the local track/two-track do not have this option and must inform the Fund in writing of such change of address.
If you cannot change your address inside your MSS portal, please send “Change of Address” form PF23M to the Fund either by mail or submitted through MSS Document Upload.
You can access this form inside your MSS under the E-Forms tab, or on our website via the following link: https://www.unjspf.org/documents/change-of-mailing-address-only/
If you are submitting form PF23M in electronic format to the Fund, please note that the following documentation is required from you:
- Electronic copy of your duly completed, dated and signed PF23M form; ideally, you should download the form from the E-Forms tab inside your Member Self Service (MSS) portal; or, if that is not possible, you can download form PF23M from the UNJSPF website via the following link: https://www.unjspf.org/documents/change-of-mailing-address-only/
- Electronic copy of your valid government-issued picture ID document (passport or other government-issued ID document that carries the individual’s full name, date of birth and scripted signature);
Once received in the acceptable format, the Fund will process your request within 15 business days.
Info material:
- UNJSPF Member Self Service (MSS) webpage; please access your MSS and inside access the E-Forms page where you can access, download and print all of the Fund’s official forms, pre-completed with your name and your UNJSPF Unique ID number (UID): https://www.unjspf.org/member-self- service/
- Tutorial – How to register for Member Self Service (MSS): https://www.unjspf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/How-to-Register-in-Member-Self-Service.pdf
- UNJSPF Contact details: https://www.unjspf.org/contact-us/
- UNJSPF Toll Free Numbers: https://www.unjspf.org/toll-free-numbers/
- MSS Document Upload article:
https://www.unjspf.org/official-documents-can-now-be-submitted-to-the-fund-electronically-through-unjspf-member-self-service/
For detailed information regarding the Two Track and related application requirements, please refer to the Fund’s website and information material on it (namely, the Two Track booklet and video, linked in the column to the right).
Initial application for the Two-Track: If you want to apply to have your benefit paid under the Two-Track system, you must ‘declare’ your country of residence to the Fund and provide proof of your residence. The Fund must receive your written request and application for the Two-Track on form PENS.E10 together with a government issued original Proof of Residence document. These documents can be sent to the Fund either by mail or through MSS Document Upload.
Submitting form PENS.E10 and Proof of Residence: If you are submitting your PENS.E10 form in electronic format to the Fund, please note that the following documentation is required from you:
- Electronic copy of your duly completed, dated and signed PENS.E10 form; ideally, you should download the form from the E-Forms tab inside your Member Self Service (MSS) portal; or, if that is not possible, you can download the form from the UNJSPF website via the following link: https://www.unjspf.org/documents/declaration-of-country-of-residence/
- Electronic copy of your valid government issued Proof of Residence Document (for more detailed information refer to form PENS.E10).
- Electronic copy of your valid government-issued picture ID document (passport or other government-issued ID document that carries the individual’s full name, date of birth and scripted signature);
Once received in the acceptable format, the Fund will start the review and processing of your request.
If you are already paid under the Two-Track system and are now changing address and country of residence: If your benefit is already being paid under the Two-Track, it is important that the UNJSPF is informed of your change of address. You must now ‘declare’ and provide proof of your arrival date and residence in the NEW country of residence. The Fund must receive your written declaration of “Change of Country of Residence” on form PENS.E11 together with a new government-issued original Proof of Residence document. These documents can be sent to the Fund either by mail or through MSS Document Upload.
Submitting form PENS.E11 and new Proof of Residence: If you are submitting your PENS.E11 form in electronic format to the Fund, please note that the following documentation is required from you:
- Electronic copy of your duly completed, dated and signed PENS.E11 form; ideally, you should download the form from the E-Forms tab inside your Member Self Service (MSS) portal; or, if that is not possible, you can download the form from the UNJSPF website via the following link: https://www.unjspf.org/documents/change-of-country-of-residence/
- Electronic copy of your valid government issued Proof of Residence Document (for more detailed information refer to form PENS.E11).
- Electronic copy of your valid government-issued picture ID document (passport or other government-issued ID document that carries the individual’s full name, date of birth and scripted signature);
Once received in the acceptable format, the Fund will start the review and processing of your request.
Info material:
- UNJSPF Member Self Service (MSS) webpage; please access your MSS and inside access the E-Forms page where you can access, download and print all of the Fund’s official forms, pre-completed with your name and your UNJSPF Unique ID number (UID): https://www.unjspf.org/member-self- service/
- Tutorial – How to register for Member Self Service (MSS): https://www.unjspf.org/wp- content/uploads/2020/04/How-to-Register- in-Member-Self-Service.pdf
- Information about the Two-Track:
Booklet: https://www.unjspf.org/documents/the-two- track/
Video – refer to video #19: https://www.unjspf.org/whiteboard-videos/ - UNJSPF Contact details: https://www.unjspf.org/contact-us/
- UNJSPF Toll Free Numbers: https://www.unjspf.org/toll-free-numbers/
- MSS Document Upload article:
https://www.unjspf.org/official-documents-can-now-be-submitted-to-the-fund-electronically-through-unjspf-member-self-service/
8. Questions about the Certificate of Entitlement (CE) exercise during COVID-19
Due to COVID-19 related restrictions for the functioning of postal mailing services worldwide, the Fund has decided to adjust the mailing schedule for the 2020 CE Exercise.
Accordingly, the 1st mailing of the 2020 CEs was send out end of June and the 2nd mailing was dispatched during the beginning of November.
If due to COVID-19 and related restrictions you cannot, immediately upon receipt of the CE form, mail the original CE form back to the Fund, we would encourage you to return the CE form to the Fund in electronic format (rather than as a hardcopy physical document). Retirees and beneficiaries who have registered for MSS can now upload a scanned version of their duly signed 2020 CE form inside their MSS portal under the new MSS Document Upload tab.
Before converting the CE form into a PDF or JPG/JPEG format and uploading it to MSS for submission to the Fund, please kindly ensure the following:
– The CE form bears a current date
– The signature on the form is handwritten, i.e., the Fund does not and will not accept an electronic signature
– If a thumbprint is affixed in lieu of a signature, it must be duly authenticated and if the thumbprint is in lieu of a handwritten signature due to medical issues, a physician must authenticate it in the designated space on the CE form and the same physician must provide a note which must be attached with the CE, as per the usual requirements.
Once the electronic MSS submission is received by the Fund, the electronic copy of the CE will be added to the retiree’s/beneficiary’s case file and it shall be treated like an ‘original CE’. In effect, the retiree/beneficiary shall be deemed to have met the requirements of the 2020 Exercise. There is no further need to snail mail, special courier or pouch the original hardcopy version of their CE form to the Fund. However, the retiree/beneficiary is being requested to retain the original copy of their CE form in a safe place for the next 12 months in case the Fund requests for the same for audit purposes.
Detailed, step-by-step guidelines explaining how this new upload feature works are provided inside the MSS Document Upload tab. The Fund also recently published an article explaining this new feature which you can access here: https://www.unjspf.org/official-documents-can-now-be-submitted-to-the-fund-electronically-through-unjspf-member-self-service/ .
Please note that most of the Fund’s retirees and beneficiaries can access their bar-coded annual CE form online, inside their Member Self Service (MSS) portal, under the DOCUMENTS tab. The link to MSS is provided in the column to the left. The MSS CE form is published at the same time as the 1st annual CE mailing is dispatched by the Fund and remains permanently available inside MSS for downloading and printing.
We strongly encourage all of our retirees and beneficiaries to register for and make regular use of MSS and the functionalities available, namely, the online CE form. That way, beneficiaries need not rely on postal mailing services for the receipt of their CE form but can access their personalized form as soon as it is published inside MSS. All they need to do is print the MSS CE form, complete it and return the duly completed original form to the Fund either by pouch, postal mail or special courier service.
Only retirees and beneficiaries paid under the Two-Track cannot, at this time, access their annual CE form inside their MSS.
Info material:
- UNJSPF Member Self Service (MSS) webpage; please access your MSS and inside access the E-Forms page where you can access, download and print all of the Fund’s official forms, pre-completed with your name and your UNJSPF Unique ID number (UID): https://www.unjspf.org/member-self- service/
- Tutorial – How to register for Member Self Service (MSS): https://www.unjspf.org/wp- content/uploads/2020/04/How-to-Register- in-Member-Self-Service.pdf
- The Certificate of Entitlement (CE) Exercise: https://www.unjspf.org/certificate-of- entitlement/
- Authentication of Signatures & Documents: https://www.unjspf.org/authentication-of- signatures-and-docs/
- UNJSPF Contact details: https://www.unjspf.org/contact-us/
- UNJSPF Toll Free Numbers: https://www.unjspf.org/toll-free-numbers/
- MSS Document Upload article:
https://www.unjspf.org/official-documents-can-now-be-submitted-to-the-fund-electronically-through-unjspf-member-self-service/
9. Other questions
The Fund has no liquidity issue. There is no plan to suspend recruitments.