Pay pensioners on time, SSRA director implores social funds

DAILYNEWS Reporter

SSRA Director General, Ms Irene Kisaka.

THE Social Security Regulatory Authority (SSRA) has warned all social security funds to respectively submit and pay pensioners on time or face stern legal actions.

Moreover, the authority has issued 21 days with effect from Saturday for social security funds in the country to clear the delayed payments to all members.

The warning was issued in Dar es Salaam by the SSRA Director General, Ms Irene Kisaka, following numerous complaints that have been submitted by members of different social security funds at different times, blaming for poor services offered by the social security funds.

She said, they have been receiving complaints from fund members over payment delays, of which it is against the SSRA act no 8 of 2008 and its amendment of the same act number 5 of 2012 together with all other related acts.

“We have received many complaints from members, complaining on the delay of their payments, I strongly warn all social security funds to issue the required pensions within 21 days.

“Our focus is to see Tanzanians enjoying quality, extended and sustained social security services, we therefore meant to supervise and regulate all sectors under our jurisdiction in order to ensure that their services reach and sustain every member,” she added.

According to her, the law is directing all social security funds to pay the pension on time, and in any delay they shall be subjected to pay penalties of about 15 per cent to their members.

“There will be no excuse to any of the funds that shall be identified to break the law, we are strict and straight forward to ensure rights of members are highly protected,” she explained.

Ms Kisaka also said members should not be subjected to the delay of monthly contributions that are supposed to be paid by their employers instead, social security funds are supposed to make follow-ups to ensure every employer submit the contribution on time as it is directed by the law.

She said there is no need to disturb members; instead the burden should be carried out by employers and the respective funds as they are supposed to carry the responsibility.

SSRA is the government organ that was established to regulate the Social Security Sector and providing for related matter. In light of its legal mandate provided in the Act, the Authority plays an important role in regulating and supervising the provisions of social security services in the country.