Groundhog day

I Emigrated in 2010 and left my retirement annuity with Liberty. Recently I decided to see if I could cash in the policy and this is when mission impossible started.

I formally emigrated, so I hired an accountant and made sure everything was done correctly. Closed all my bank accounts and made sure I didn't owe any-one anything.

The amount of hoops they make you jump through is ridiculous, but that could be the Law and have nothing to do with them, so I will give them the benefit of the doubt. The customer service on the other hand, is non existent. I have been trying for months to speak to some-one who can tell me what is wrong with the documents I have provided. On each occasion they pass the buck and tell you to contact some-one else. The 'some-one' else is usually some-one who is uncontactable, like SARS. They don't return phone calls and they don't accept phone calls. (you can get through to customer services but they can't answer the questions, when you ask them to transfer you even they say they can't get hold of the department that deals with payouts) You get an answer to your email after a few days but it doesn't answer the question. It's like dealing with a goldfish, and then you don't have one person handling your case, you have hundreds, so every time you have to start at the beginning. Fortunately it's not a lot of money, but if Liberty is prepared to ***** that small amount from me, I guarantee you they will ***** even more from you.

If you leave SA make sure you take your money with you, don't leave it with these scoundrels.