A dissertation submitted to Mzumbe University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Award of the Degree in Masters of Public Administration (MPA) of Mzumbe University
The study intended to assess the influence of social security scheme in improving welfare of the Old Population in Tanzania. The research was carried out at Public Service Pension Fund (Headquarters). The study was conducted with the following objectives: To assess the influence of social security schemes in improving welfare of the elderly. To examine the perceptions of elderly on social security and to identify benefits received by elderly from social security.
Research findings indicates that the current government social security scheme (Old Age Pension) is important to old population although the amount paid is little to improve their welfare, It revealed that about 81%(63) of the retired receive low monthly pension. Some receive less than 200,000 per month which is very little comparing to current life expenses. However, there is notable contribution by Social Security through gratuity or lumpsum amount paid to retired once their days in service cease, about 75%(36) of pension beneficiaries associated improvement of their welfare with business and small projects established like agriculture and houses built through lumpsum amount received after retirement.
The research used both qualitative and quantitative research designs through interview, questionnaire and documentation to collect data from retired members of social security fund. The data obtained were analysed by using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS-20.0 version) because the package offer high degree of precision.
It is recommended that the amount paid should be reviewed often to enable the elderly receive reasonable to meet their basic needs in the changing economy and inflation. It was also suggested that the fund should educate its members and prospective customers on the benefits it offers and activities it is involving in order to maintain current members and increase more members to the funds. Introduction of supplementary scheme to accommodate employee from informal sector is a must because everyone has the right to social security