Apply for National Social Security Fund in Kenya

The National Social Security Fund is a Kenyan government agency responsible for the collection, safekeeping, responsible investment and distribution of retirement funds of employees in both the formal and informal sectors of the Kenyan Economy. Participation for both employers and employees is compulsory. The fund is both a pension fund and provident fund. In this article we are going to learn How to Apply for National Social Security Fund in Kenya

The National Social Security Fund was established in 1965 through the Act of Parliament Cap 258 of the Laws of Kenya. It initially operated as a Department of the Ministry of Labour until 1987 when the act was amended, transforming the fund into a state corporation under the management of a board of trustees. Under the National Social Security Act of 2013, both employed and the self-employed and their dependents qualify as contributing members. The act (law) on pension requires all Kenyans that are above 18 years of age to register to the program.

The board of trustees is composed of workers’ representatives through the Central Organization of Trade Unions, employers through the Federation of Kenya Employers and the Government of Kenya through the Ministries of Labour and Finance.This composition ensures that the board accommodates the views and aspirations of the three social partners in policy formulation and running of the organization.

Procedure

Apply In-Person

1. The applicant should visit the National Social Security Fund, (NSSF) offices or Huduma center to make the application.
2. You will be given an NSSF :Members Registration Form or an NSSF Employers Application for Registration (depending on the nature of your application) to fill and submit.
3. The form may also be downloaded online and filled before visiting the offices for submission. The forms can be downloaded from the NSSF Downloads – Application Forms and filled before visiting these offices for submission.
4. Fill in your personal details; these include
   (a) Full names
   (b) National/Alien identity card number
   (c) Date of birth
   (d) Payroll number
   (e) Nationality
   (f) Kenya Revenue authority PIN
   (g) Place of employment
   (h) Address of employer
   (i) Gender
   (j) Physical address of applicant
   (k) Details of next of Kin (Name and ID number or Birth Certificate)
   (l) Home details
   (m) Details of next of kin (Parent’s, Spouses and Children)
5. You will then pay a minimum amount of Ksh 200, as an initial contribution to activate your card
6. Attach copies of required documents for submission; these include your National Identity card (ID card), Alien Card or Passport and a copy of an introduction letter from your employer and bank payment slip to the NHIF offices for processing.
7. After verification of your details. You will then be issued with an NSSF membership card immediately. You can then start contributing to your account at your nearest NSSF branch or through Mpesa.
   

Apply On-line
Step 1 : Pre-registration.

1. Visit: NSSF Self Service portal
2. Navigate to the “Member Self Service links” and click on the Member Registration.
3. This will direct you to the registration page. Complete the form displayed accurately.
4. Print the application notification and contact the nearest NSSF office for certification.

Step 2 : Certification

1. Visit NSSF Offices and present the application notification for certification.
2. You are required to pay a minimum amount of Ksh 200, as an initial contribution to activate your NSSF card.
3. Attach copies of required documents for submission; these include your National Identity card (ID card), Alien Card or Passport and a copy of an introduction letter from your employer and bank payment slip to the NHIF offices for processing.
4. After verification of your details. You will then be issued with a Pin Key and membership card from the NSSF offices.

Step 3 : Member Activation

1. Once issued with a Pin Key from NSSF office, visit the NSSF Self Service portal
2. Navigate to the “Member Self Service links” and click on the Member Activation
3. Type in Username, Password, and Pin Key then click Activate to complete activation.

Required Documents

1. Your original National Identity Card (ID Card), Alien Card or Passport and a copy of it
2. An introduction letter from your employer
3. Copy of Kenya Revenue authority PIN

Office Locations & Contacts

NSSF Self Service Portal : NSSF Self Service Portal

National Social Security Fund (HQ)
P.O. Box 30599 – 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
Main Line: (020) 2729911, 2710552
Toll Free: 0800 2212744
Cell Phone: 0722-204192, 0734-333238.
ISDN: 2832000
Fax: (020) 2727882, 2722013, 2711615
Email: info@nssfkenya.co.ke
Website: [www.nssf.or.ke/ NSSF]
NSSF Branch Network: NSSF Branch Network

Eligibility

1. An individual who is 18 years of age.
2. A self- employed person who wishes to become a member of the Fund, may register as a voluntary member.
3. Every employer should register with the fund as a contributing employer and shall register his employee or employees, as members of the Fund.
   

Fees

• Application if free of charge, however you need then pay a minimum amount of Ksh 200, as an initial contribution to activate your card
  

Validity

• Registration remains valid as long as contributions are made.

Documents to Use

1. Members Registration Form : Members Registration Form
2. Employers Application for Registration: Employers Application for Registration
3. NSSF Downloads – Application Forms: NSSF Downloads – Application Forms

Processing Time

• Registration and Verification takes a maximum of 72 hours

Instructions

1. Download the Registration forms; Members Registration Form or an NSSF Employers Application for Registration or visit the NSSF online portal NSSF Self Service Portal to make the registration.
2. Complete the application for registration by providing all the required details.
3. Make the applicable payments , which is the initial activation payment of KSh 200
4. Attach/ Upload the required documents and payment receipt to the application and submit to the NSSF for review and registration
5. Registration takes a period of 72 hours to complete. .
6. You must collect the registration certificate in person.
7. A proof of identification is required when collecting the certificate.
   

Required Information

1. Full names
2. National/Alien identity card number
3. Date of birth
4. Payroll number
5. Nationality
6. Kenya Revenue Authority PIN
7. Place of employment
8. Address of employer
9. Gender
10. Physical address of applicant
11. Details of next of Kin (Name and ID number or Birth Certificate)
12. Home details

Need for the Document

• Individuals who are registered are provided with basic financial security benefits upon retirement from work.
  

Information which might help

• The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) was established in 1965 through an Act of Parliament Cap 258 of the Laws of Kenya. The Fund initially operated as a Department of the Ministry of Labour until 1987 when the NSSF Act was amended transforming the Fund into a State Corporation under the Management of a Board of Trustees
• National Security Social Fund is a contribution platform in which people over 18 years and who are either employed by their employers or self-employed can register and start to make savings every month from their salaries for their brighter future life after retirement.
• The Act was established as a mandatory national scheme whose main objective was to provide basic financial security benefits to Kenyan upon retirement.
• The Fund was set up as a Provident Fund providing benefits in the form of a lump sum.
  

Other uses of the Document/Certificate

• The certificate is one of the formal requirements needed when seeking employment.

External Links

• Member Self Service Guide: Member Self Service Guide

Others

• The Act was established as a mandatory national scheme whose main objective was to provide basic financial security benefits to Kenyan upon retirement. The Fund was set up as a Provident Fund providing benefits in the form of a lump sum.

Investment portfolio

The current National Social Security Fund investment portfolio includes fixed income, real estate, and equities.

Fixed income

This includes short term and long term bonds. As of 31 December 2010, the investment in long term bonds was KSH 24.64 Billion.

Real Estate

• Land – as of 31 December 2010, the undeveloped land owned by the fund was valued at KSH 7.86 Billion.^[5]
• Buildings – as of 31 December 2010, the buildings owned by the fund were valued at KSH 31 Billion.^[5]
  • Commercial buildings – these include the NSSF Building, View Park Towers, and Hazina Trade Centre which is set to be the tallest building in the region.
  • Residential buildings – These include Nyayo Estate Embakasi, Milimani Flats, Mountain View Estate, Hazina Estate and Nyayo Highrise Estate near Kibera.

Equities

• Private equities – the main private equity held by the fund is 11.2% of the issues share capital of the Consolidated Bank of Kenya. Others include the Nairobi City Council Stock.
• Listed equities – the fund is a leading investor on the Nairobi Securities Exchange, including in the following companies:

Number	Investment	Industry
1	Kenya Power and Lighting Company	Electricity Distribution
2	East African Breweries	Brewing
3	British American Tobacco Kenya	Tobacco & Cigarettes
4	Kenya Electricity Generating Company	Electricity Generation
5	Bamburi Cement	Construction Products
6	East Africa Portland Cement	Construction Products
7	Kenya Commercial Bank Group	Financial and Banking
8	Housing Finance Company of Kenya	Financial, Banking and Mortgages
9	Sameer Africa	Tyre Manufacturing
10	National Bank of Kenya	Financial and Banking
11	Barclays Bank (Kenya)	Financial and Banking
12	Standard Chartered Kenya	Financial and Banking
13	Nation Media Group	Media
14	Athi River Mining	Construction Products
15	Kenya Re-Insurance	Reinsurance
16	Safaricom	telecommunications
17	Equity Group Holdings Limited	Financial and Banking

Ownership

The fund is owned by the Government of Kenya on behalf of the workers and employers in Kenya.

Governance

Governance is overseen by a nine-member board of trustees with Dr. Anthony Omerikwa as the acting managing trustee.^[3] In formulating the fund’s policies the board of trustees acts strictly in accordance with the NSSF Act.

Branch network

There are fund offices in major towns all over Kenya.