Don’t Wait, Start Saving Now: How NSSF Offers You The Best Benefits And Incentives

By Steve Biko Wafula / Published May 18, 2024 | 3:26 pm

Dr Christopher Khisa the Corporate Communications and CSR and as fellow panelist Sarah Bakata at the 2023 Editors' Guild Convention in Mombasa.

Saving for the future is a crucial aspect of financial planning. However, many people may not know when is the best time to start saving or how to save effectively.

I would like to explore the benefits of starting to save early, the challenges of saving in Kenya, and the opportunities offered by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

Why start saving early?

The best time to start saving is as early as when you access any form of income and as young as teen-age. This is because saving early has several advantages, such as:

Compounding interest: Saving early allows you to earn interest on your savings, which in turn generates more interest over time. This means that your savings will grow faster and larger than if you start saving later.

For example, if you save $100 every month at a 10% annual interest rate, starting at age 20, you will have $1,083,470 by age 65. However, if you start saving at age 40, you will only have $149,036 by age 65.

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Financial security: Saving early helps you to build a financial cushion that can protect you from unexpected expenses, such as medical bills, car repairs, or job loss. Having a savings account can also reduce your stress and anxiety about money and improve your mental health.

Financial goals: Saving early enables you to achieve your financial goals, such as buying a house, starting a business, or retiring comfortably. By saving regularly and consistently, you can accumulate enough funds to pursue your dreams and aspirations.

What are the challenges of saving in Kenya?

Despite the benefits of saving early, many Kenyans face difficulties in saving for their future. Some of the challenges include:

Low income: According to the World Bank, the average income per capita in Kenya was $1,816 in 2020, which is below the global average of $11,297. This means that many Kenyans have limited disposable income to save after meeting their basic needs, such as food, housing, and education.

High inflation: The inflation rate in Kenya was 5.8% in March 2021, which is higher than the Central Bank of Kenya’s target range of 2.5% to 7.5%. This means that the purchasing power of Kenyans’ savings is eroded by the rising cost of living, making it harder to save for the future.

Lack of financial literacy: According to a survey by FinAccess, only 34% of Kenyans have a formal savings account, while 40% save informally, such as in a group or at home, and 26% do not save at all. This indicates that many Kenyans lack the knowledge and skills to manage their finances effectively and to choose the best savings options for their needs.

How can NSSF help Kenyans to save for their social security?

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) is a statutory body that provides social security benefits to Kenyans in the formal and informal employment sectors. The NSSF aims to ensure that every Kenyan has access to a secure and dignified retirement, as well as protection from contingencies such as sickness, disability, or death.

The NSSF offers several benefits to its members, such as:

Pension benefits: The NSSF pays monthly pension benefits to its members who have reached the retirement age of 60 years, or 55 years if they have retired from formal employment. The pension amount depends on the member’s contributions, earnings, and years of service.

Withdrawal benefits: The NSSF allows its members to withdraw their savings in a lump sum if they have left employment, emigrated, or become permanently incapacitated. The withdrawal amount is based on the member’s contributions and interest earned.

Survivor benefits: The NSSF pays survivor benefits to the dependents of a deceased member, such as the spouse, children, or parents. The survivor benefits include a lump sum payment of the member’s savings, a monthly pension for the spouse and children, and a funeral grant.

The NSSF also offers various incentives and opportunities to encourage Kenyans to save for their social security, such as:

Tax relief: The NSSF contributions are tax-deductible up to a maximum of 30% of the member’s gross income or Ksh 20,000 per month, whichever is lower. This means that the members can reduce their taxable income and save more for their future.

Voluntary contributions: The NSSF allows its members to make voluntary contributions in addition to the mandatory contributions of 6% of their gross income. Voluntary contributions can be made through various channels, such as mobile money, bank transfers, or cheques. This means that the members can increase their savings and earn more interest on their funds.

Informal sector scheme: The NSSF has introduced a scheme for the informal sector workers, such as farmers, traders, or artisans, who are not covered by the formal employment laws. The scheme allows the informal sector workers to register and contribute to the NSSF at a minimum of Ksh 200 per month. This means that the informal sector workers can enjoy the same benefits and incentives as the formal sector workers and secure their social security.

Saving for the future is a vital aspect of financial planning that can bring many benefits, such as compounding interest, financial security, and financial goals. However, many Kenyans face challenges in saving for their future, such as low income, high inflation, and lack of financial literacy.

NSSF is a statutory body that provides social security benefits to Kenyans in the formal and informal employment sectors.

NSSF offers various benefits, such as pension, withdrawal, and survivor benefits, as well as incentives and opportunities, such as tax relief, voluntary contributions, and informal sector schemes, to encourage Kenyans to save for their social security.

Therefore, the best time to start saving is now, and the NSSF is a reliable and convenient partner to help you achieve your savings goals.

About Steve Biko Wafula

Steve Biko is the CEO OF Soko Directory and the founder of Hidalgo Group of Companies. Steve is currently developing his career in law, finance, entrepreneurship and digital consultancy; and has been implementing consultancy assignments for client organizations comprising of trainings besides capacity building in entrepreneurial matters.He can be reached on: +254 20 510 1124 or Email: info@sokodirectory.com

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