HARARE - Government employees have cried foul following the transfer of their pension contributions from the public service facility to the National Social Security Association, NSSA, without consultation. (Pictured NSSA building in Harare)Pensioners under NSSA live in misery as the association pays out pathetic stipends to retired workers. At a time when pensioners under the government scheme pocket an average $70 per month, NSSA pays $25. The difference is too wide for comfort. In the past, we used to contribute to both NSSA and the public service pension scheme, but were surprised to learn that we are left affiliated only to NSSA. This was against our will, said a war veteran and government employee who has been serving with the ministry of agriculture for the past 27 years.
He said it was now difficult for anyone to retire from government as the pensions they had spent years paying into are worthless.
As contributions were in now valueless Zimbabwe dollars, they lost value. No one can afford to retire at this moment, because they will only receive the NSSA contributions. Government has removed us from its pension facility in order to rob employees of a lifetime contribution.
Government employees have now resolved to continue serving the state until they die. At least a monthly $150 payment is better than the NSSA $25 stipend, they said.
Post published in: Economy