Social protection secures civil servants’ futures

MWANZA: CIVIL servants are the unsung heroes behind the smooth running of any government. Whether in education, healthcare, security, or administration, they dedicate their lives to serving the public.

That is why social protection and retirement benefits are essential to secure their wellbeing, not just during their working years but also after they retire.

By enhancing retirement schemes and social safety nets, governments show respect for those who keep the country running.

These benefits provide not only a dignified post-retirement life but also boost motivation and productivity while employees are still active. Improved pensions and health coverage are more than rewards, they are trust-builders between civil servants and the state.

A reliable retirement system eases the financial burden on families and society by reducing dependency. Plus, funds managed well can fuel long-term national development by investing in infrastructure, education and healthcare.

For Tanzania, the Public Service Social Security Fund (PSSSF) is at the forefront of this mission, showing commitment to strengthening the social safety net for civil servants and their families.

Since its establishment in 2018, the PSSSF has made remarkable strides. It merged other funds such as PPF, PSPF, LAPF and GEPF to cut costs, harmonise benefits and boost efficiency. The goal is to provide better service to civil servants and ensure the sustainability of the pension system.

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PSSSF’s benefits now cover a wide spectrum: retirement pensions, disability benefits, survivor support, funeral grants, maternity, sickness and unemployment benefits. This wide range shows the fund’s holistic approach to social protection. A key feature of recent reforms is improved operational efficiency through digital technology. With government employees nearing retirement in increasing numbers, streamlining pension processes and ensuring timely payments have become urgent priorities.

Thanks to digital systems, retirees now receive pensions promptly, a welcome change from previous delays that caused anxiety and hardship. This smooth process improves confidence in the fund and helps pensioners transition to retirement with dignity.

The pension formula itself has been updated to better reflect employees’ salary histories and contributions, ensuring fairer monthly pensions especially rewarding those who have served long years.

Embracing technology to simplify services Speaking at a media training event in Mwanza, Eastern Lake Zone PSSSF Acting Manager Happiness Manyenye highlighted how technology has transformed the fund’s operations. “Members can now register, check contributions and submit claims right from their phones,” she said.

“They no longer need to visit offices, saving time and reducing hassle.” The fund also enables members to update personal details digitally after initial identity verification, improving accuracy and speeding up claims.

Importantly, all communications from PSSSF come through official channels, protecting members from fraud. Starting January this year, PSSSF increased the minimum monthly pension from 100,000/- to 150,000/-. They also introduced funeral support benefits to assist families of deceased retirees.

Pension payments continue for 36 months after a retiree’s death, transferable to a legal spouse or children under 21. This helps soften the blow of losing a family provider. Despite progress, challenges remain. One hurdle is members submitting claims with names that don’t match their national ID cards, causing delays.

“For example, someone might be known as Tonny Buberwa but file claims as Tony John Masalu,” Manyenye explained. Comprehensive social security coverage The fund offers eight types of benefits divided into long-term and shortterm categories.

Long-term benefits include retirement, death, survivors and disability support. Short-term benefits cover maternity, unemployment, sickness and invalidity.

To qualify for sickness benefits, the illness must be unrelated to work and members must meet salary and age requirements. Maternity benefits require proof of childbirth and timely application within 90 days, with no waiting period between births.

Applicants submit certified birth certificates, salary slips, bank statements and ID copies to ensure smooth processing.

The fund follows strict government directives for reforming public sector institutions with goals of transparency, accountability, and citizen-centred services. Its performance targets focus on financial sustainability and customer satisfaction. Integration with the National Identification Authority (NIDA) database has improved verification, reducing fraud and errors.

Delays or mismatched records are less frequent thanks to this digital alignment. However, PSSSF continues to combat fraud attempts targeting retirees and advises members not to share personal data carelessly. Voices from the field Retired nurse Jane Kalimasi from Mwanza praised the digital services.

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“I can check my pension details from my phone and get reminders. It’s made a huge difference for retirees like me who sometimes forget deadlines or requirements,” she said.

Mwanza Press Club Chairperson Edwin Soko applauded PSSSF’s leadership for engaging journalists and promoting awareness about social security benefits.

He emphasised that the media plays a vital role in informing the public and supporting development through professional reporting.

Soko urged journalists to maintain high standards, especially in the election year, by highlighting positive achievements and encouraging participation in social security schemes. By investing in civil servants’ futures, Tanzania demonstrate As respect for public service and strengthens its path toward sustainable governance.

PSSSF’s reforms have already improved benefit delivery, fairness and operational efficiency, making the fund a model for social protection in the region.

Continued commitment to expanding coverage, embracing technology and educating members will further enhance the wellbeing of Tanzania’s public workforce and their families. After all, a nation that cares for those who serve it is a nation building a stronger, more secure future for all.