Pension Schemes: Educate the Public

  The various poems were themed around the subject of love. From the unpleasant to the fulfilling ones and everything in between. PHOTOS BY ABU BAKER LUBOWA.

During the past six or so years, debate on the subject of social security schemes has intensified. This debate is clouded by a lack of understanding of social security matters among most people.

As the principal challenges facing pension or social security schemes –population growth, ageing, unemployment, slow economic growth, sickness – have been apparent for a number of years, reformers in some countries have tried to formulate remedies.

In Tanzania, we witnessed the transformation of the National Provident Fund to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). The latter is supposed to have a broader membership base and provide more benefits to its members than the former did.

Other schemes in Tanzania include the PPF, PSPF, NHIF and LGPF. These schemes cater for the social security needs of workers belonging to specific categories in the various sectors of the economy. However, the proliferation of these schemes has contributed to even more public confusion.

With, perhaps, the exception of NSSF, little attention has been paid to educating the public on the schemes and their operations.

Both the government and the respective schemes have a responsibility to educate the public. Until people have a better understanding of these issues, the current debate will continue to be based on speculation and bias.

JOHN E. KITOKA
Mbeya, Tanzania