The NSSF (National Social Security Fund) is Kenya’s national pension scheme. Employees pay 6% of pensionable pay, and the employer matches it. Checking your statement now and then catches employers who deduct contributions but do not pay them in.

Get your NSSF number

Your NSSF number is on your payslip, or your employer can give it to you. If you have never registered, you can register with your ID at an NSSF office or Huduma Centre, or online through NSSF’s self-service system.

Checking your statement

  • Online - register on the NSSF self-service portal (linked from nssf.or.ke) or the NSSF mobile app, with your ID and NSSF number, then view or download your statement.
  • At an NSSF office or Huduma Centre - take your ID.

Compare the statement with your payslips. Each month you were employed should show both your contribution and your employer’s.

Missing contributions

  1. Ask your employer - HR or payroll - for proof of payment for the missing months.
  2. Report it to NSSF if the employer does not fix it. NSSF can pursue employers who deducted but did not pay, with penalties.

Do this early. Chasing an employer years later, or after it has closed, is much harder.

Self-employed members

People without an employer can contribute voluntarily, by M-Pesa to NSSF’s paybill using their NSSF or ID number as instructed on the NSSF website. Keep the confirmation messages.

Benefits

  • Retirement - at 60, or early retirement from 50.
  • Invalidity - if you cannot work because of illness or disability.
  • Survivors - paid to dependants when a member dies.
  • Emigration - for members leaving Kenya permanently.
  • Funeral grant - a contribution towards funeral costs.

Claiming

  1. Check your statement is complete.
  2. Gather your ID, NSSF number, bank details and supporting documents - for retirement, a letter or certificate of service; for survivors, the death certificate and proof of relationship.
  3. Submit the claim at an NSSF branch or Huduma Centre, or online where NSSF offers it.

Use only official NSSF channels. Nobody needs to be paid to “process” a claim.

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