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This study analyses the improvements in Social Security Benefits in Tanzania. The study uses National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and PPF Pensions Fund as its case study. The objectives of the study were to evaluate knowledge of people about social security system and benefits in Tanzania, to examine the social security benefits’ improvements in terms of number and quality; and to provide some suggestions about the measures to be taken to improve social security benefits to members. Interviews, questionnaires and observation were used to obtain the primary data; various documents were reviewed so as to gather secondary data. Study findings show that, the awareness of people to social security sector and specifically to benefits is very little. The study also reveals that benefits that members receive are not adequate as majority of the respondent said that they are not satisfied with the rate of pension that they are currently receiving. Poor service delivery, mismanagement of the fund and insufficient indexation were also claimed to be problems facing social security institutions. The study further revealed that, NSSF and PPF are trying to improve benefits as time goes and this goes together with educating people about social security. Service delivery has been improved due to reforms in the social security sector which removes autonomous and allow competition between the Funds. Also this study show that both funds excel in improving benefits in terms of benefit payment as the total amount of benefits paid to members by NSSF increased by 24% from 2010 to 2011. It is recommended that the government should form policies which will manage well the social security intuitions including measure to reduce contingencies such as employment injury which can be eliminated by creating safe and decent workplace. Government should also allow reforms in social security sector, which among others will improve benefit package. PPF and NSSF management should take prudent approach on quality service delivery, improve investments, and develop more products/benefits suitable to their members to ensure that the Fund remains well positioned to capture opportunities. The Fund’s emphasis should be on taking proactive stance towards benefits improvements. |
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