NSSF Iringa Regional Manager Benedict Twela (centre) leads customers in cutting the cake during the Customer Service Week celebrations yesterday.
By MATUKIO DAIMA MEDIA, IRINGA
The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has continued to record significant growth in membership, contribution collection, investments and service delivery, with the value of the Fund reaching TZS 11.4 trillion as of June 30, 2026, up from TZS 9.84 trillion at the end of the financial year in June 2025.
The growth has been accompanied by a significant increase in membership, which rose from 1,616,026 members as of June 30, 2025, to 2,144,906 by June 30, 2026, representing a 33 per cent increase.
Speaking in Iringa during the 2026 Customer Service Week celebrations, NSSF Director General Masha Mshomba, represented by NSSF Iringa Regional Manager Benedict Twela, said the increase reflected the Fund’s efforts to expand social security coverage across the country.
Twela said 1,552,115 members were from the formal sector, while 592,791 were self-employed citizens who had joined the Fund through the Social Security Scheme.
He said NSSF had also improved service delivery through digital platforms, including the NSSF Portal, which allows members, employers and pensioners to access services without visiting NSSF offices.
“These improvements have continued to increase efficiency in service delivery and benefit payments. The average time taken to pay benefits has declined from 63 days in the financial year ending June 2021 to 19 days in the 2025/2026 financial year,” Twela said.
Meanwhile, Reverend Gaudence Kiungu said social security institutions play an important role in helping citizens prepare for the future, urging people to take advantage of available opportunities and invest early.
He said preparing for the future required individuals to take early action by investing and establishing financial systems capable of supporting them and their families when needed.
“There is a book we once read which says that tomorrow’s life depends on what you do today. Therefore, it is important to invest and build systems that will help you and others in the future,” Kiungu said.
For her part, Elodia Kavindi, an employee and NSSF member, said the Fund’s services had benefited members, particularly through health services that helped reduce the financial burden of medical treatment.
“As service workers, we are proud when we receive services through NSSF because we can access healthcare without incurring high costs. This is a very important service for a member, rather than going to hospital and being unable to afford the cost of treatment,” Kavindi said.
NSSF continues to encourage members to use its digital services, monitor their contribution records and report any challenges, while urging employers and self-employed citizens to work closely with the Fund to expand social security coverage and ensure timely access to benefits.