Nairobi, Kenya – Thousands of teachers in Kenya are at risk of losing their retirement benefits due to missing details in the government system. The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has attributed this issue to improper registration with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
TSC CEO Nancy Macharia emphasized the importance of teachers updating their information with NSSF before June 21 to secure their benefits. Failure to do so could result in their remittances being held in suspense accounts, as revealed by Siaya TSC County Director Gideon Nandi.
In response to the situation, TSC issued a circular dated June 12, urging affected teachers to visit the nearest NSSF office for registration. Once registered, teachers are required to provide their NSSF numbers to their respective TSC Sub County Directors for further processing.
The commission also reminded newly enrolled teachers to update their records with NSSF. Additionally, teachers were encouraged to obtain their latest NSSF statements and report any errors to the Commission.
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 are expected to apply for their benefits upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60, with the NSSF membership card playing a crucial role in the process.
The provident fund system, managed by the government, operates through monthly contributions equivalent to 12 percent of an employee’s salary, split equally between the employee and employer. Recent adjustments have impacted the contributions of teachers, with an increase in the lower limit tier 1 contributions effective as of February.
It is crucial for teachers to ensure their details are updated with NSSF to secure their retirement benefits and avoid any potential issues in the future. By taking proactive steps to rectify the situation now, teachers can safeguard their financial well-being in retirement.