A TOTAL of 126bn/-was disbursed to 13,167 retirees from July 1 to December 15 by the Public Service Social Security Fund (PSSSF).

Yessaya Mwakifulefule, the PSSSF public relations and education manager, said this at a training session for the Morogoro Journalists Club here over the weekend.

The payments were made in implementation of government directives, revising the formula for computing retirement benefits.

The relevant pay-outs began in September after the Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disability state minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) issued the directive, he said.

In the payments, two percent of the funds was directly funded by PSSSF and seven percent covered by the government as employer.

Under the new legal framework starting on July 1, 983 retirees were scheduled to receive their payments by December. Additionally, 1,984 retirees benefiting from the 7 percent increase on their pay-outs were also paid, bringing the total to 2,967 retirees.

Addressing concerns from retirees regarding discrepancies in previous payments, the manager said that the issues have been resolved with the improved computation method. 

PSSSF revisited the records of retirees, compensating 3,364 individuals under the 2 percent category and 9,803 under the 7 percent increase group covering government employees, altogether 13,167 retirees.

Disbursed 126bn/- reflected ongoing efforts towards accurate and timely payments, improving public service and social security, he said.

He said that PSSSF seeks to improve transparency and service delivery, engaging with the public and ensuring that retirees receive their rightful benefits without delays.

Zaida Mahava, the fund’s eastern zone manager, highlighted that improved payment processes has reduced complaints.

The fund is also introducing digital tools to ensure members, especially those in rural areas, can conveniently access services, he said.

Nickson Mkilanya, the press club chairman, said the training session will help the scribes in more accurate projection of the fund’s services.