The High Court in Suva has ordered that a retired resident of Nakasi be compensated with $21,517.42 from her deceased son’s Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) savings. This decision comes after the court determined that the mother incurred significant funeral and medical expenses while caring for her son, who passed away in January 2024.
Acting Puisne Judge Penijamini Lomaloma delivered the ruling on October 17, 2025, affirming the mother’s claims that she personally financed her son’s medical care and funeral services after he had been separated from his wife for over two years. The judge stated, “The evidence shows the plaintiff cared for her sick son for over two years and spent her own retirement savings on his hospital treatment and funeral rites,” highlighting the need for accountability and justice.
The FNPF funds, totaling $42,264.20, including an $8,500 death benefit, were transferred to the High Court due to the absence of a valid nomination from the deceased after his marriage. Judge Lomaloma explained that, per section 57 of the FNPF Act, the court has the discretion to allocate funds in cases where no valid nomination exists. He supported the mother’s request for reimbursement, stating that while the FNPF money is part of the deceased’s estate, her claim was warranted given the expenditures she made out of her own finances.
The ruling itemized the approved payments: $4,278.42 for hospitalization at Oceania Hospital, $3,500 for additional medical costs, $1,739 for morgue, cremation, and ash, along with $12,000 for funeral rituals. The judge ordered that any remaining balance will be held in trust as part of the deceased estate.
Justice Lomaloma also noted the cultural significance of funeral expenses and acknowledged the FNPF benefit, asserting that it must be utilized responsibly to honor the deceased and those who cared for them. “There is no logic in allowing a member to withdraw FNPF savings for a parent’s medical or funeral expenses while alive, yet deny a refund to a mother who used her own money to care for her dying son,” he remarked, emphasizing the need for fairness.
This ruling highlights not only the legal principles surrounding the distribution of pension funds but also the social responsibilities tied to caregiving and supporting family members through difficult times. It sends a positive message about the judicial system’s role in providing just outcomes for individuals who act in the best interests of their loved ones.
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