TSC has asked teachers who have not yet registered for NSSF to do so immediately to enable the wider Commission to factor in the necessary deductions and forward them to the social security fund of the country.
In a circular dated July 15, 2024, signed by TSC Secretary and CEO, Nancy Macharia, all teachers are expected to register as members of NSSF by July 31. This will go a long way in ensuring that teachers enjoy benefits like social security, survivor benefits, and invalidity benefits as provided under the NSSF Act No. 45 of 2013.
The Teachers Service Commission has directed all regional, county, and sub-county directors, as well as directors of primary and secondary institutions, to ensure all teachers who are not yet registered visit the nearby NSSF branch offices or Huduma Centers with their national identification cards for registration purposes, and that they comply with the directive.
“Consistent with the Provision of NSSF Act No. 45 of 2013, the Commission shall effect payroll deductions from its employees with effect from July 2023 for remittance to NSSF. These shall apply to all employees on the Commission’s payroll, whether the employee is registered with NSSF or not,” the circular says.
This circular also targets at least 4,000 teachers who are not properly registered with the NSSF and, hence, are likely to lose their benefits. Teachers in this category are supposed to register at the nearest office of the NSSF and send their new numbers to their respective county directors for forwarding the documents to the TSC headquarters for enrolment in the payroll.
The teaching fraternity expects terminal benefits commensurate with their respective letters of appointment owing to a long-term rendered service under the current terms of service. The provident fund is, in essence, different from a pension scheme in that contributors get a lump sum money upon retiring. Under such given conditions like resignation, retirement, termination, relocating, or even medical incapacitation, contributors have access to these funds.
The TSC clearly stated that it was the individual responsibility of every employee to ensure that they register with NSSF to credit their monthly contributions into their NSSF accounts. The move is very critical in making sure that the financial future of teachers is secure and they get what is due to them.
The TSC insures compliance with NSSF registration so as to enhance their social security setup, thus giving financial security and peace of mind.