/ 18 May 2005

‘Don’t get upset, but you died’

A German woman in her 80s said on Tuesday she has been ordered by her pension fund to produce a certificate to prove she is still alive.

Martha Kruse telephoned the Bundesknappschaft fund after her payments were suddenly stopped, only to be told by an employee: “Don’t get upset, but you died on January 28.”

The fund also asked payments made to the 82-year-old to be repaid.

The employee would not accept the sound of the woman’s voice as proof that she is still alive and asked her instead to produce a “life certificate”.

The perplexed Kruse was forced to go to the municipal authorities in her home town of Barsinghausen near Hanover, which agreed to make out the necessary document, charging her €4,80 (R30) for the privilege.

The certificate stated that Kruse is alive and well and fully able to present her identity papers.

Thomas Lieth, the head of the Bundesknappschaft fund, said Kruse had been confused with another client who had died, but defended the decision to ask for proof she is alive.

“When someone just telephones us, it is not enough,” Lieth said, adding that the fund has apologised.

Kruse was not impressed.

“When someone makes a mistake like that, they could at least offer a bouquet of flowers,” she said. — AFP