Why teachers risk missing out on retirement benefits

Why teachers risk missing out on retirement benefits

Why teachers risk missing out on retirement benefits

Due to a lack of information in the government system, thousands of teachers run the risk of not receiving their retirement benefits.

The Teachers Service Commission attributed this to incorrect National Social Security Fund (NSSF) registration.

According to the commission, a large number of basic education teachers nationwide have neglected to register with the NSSF, endangering their eligibility for retirement benefits.

Teachers were urged by TSC to update their information by June 21 in order to ensure their benefits.

Remittances from the impacted teachers are presently being held in suspense accounts since they do not yet have NSSF account numbers, according to Siaya TSC County Director Gideon Nandi.

“We have over 4,000 teachers both in primary and secondary who are contributing to NSSF but their remittances are lying in the suspense account due to them not having NSSF account numbers,” he said.

Consequently, TSC has issued a circular dated June 12, urging all affected teachers to promptly visit the nearest NSSF office for registration.

Once registered, the teachers are required to submit their NSSF numbers to their respective TSC Sub County Directors for further processing.

“All teachers are therefore required to visit the nearest NSSF office for registration purposes. Upon registration ensure you submit your NSSF number to your respective TSC Sub County Director for onward transmission to TSC Headquarters,” Nandi said.

The commission further asked newly enrolled teachers into the fund but haven’t updated their records to do so.

“Those already registered should obtain their latest NSSF statements and bring to the attention of the Commission any errors in such statements,” Nandi said.

Retirement benefits for teachers in the public service are outlined in their appointment letters, serving as an incentive for their dedicated service to the state.

Teachers must apply for benefits after reaching the obligatory retirement age of sixty, and one of the most important documents in the application procedure is the NSSF membership card.

The government administers the provident fund system, which is funded by equal monthly contributions from the employer and employee totaling 12% of the employee’s pay.

Recent adjustments have seen an increase in the lower limit tier 1 contributions, affecting the monthly contributions of teachers accordingly.

Lower limit tier 1 was set at Sh7, 000 as of February, having previously been at Sh6, 000.

This group of instructors makes a monthly contribution of Sh420 (up from Sh320), and the employer matches that amount, for a total of Sh840. As a result, the maximum is Sh29,000, with each person contributing Sh1,740.

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