What Is NSSA?
The National Social Security Authority (NSSA) is the statutory body responsible for administering social security in Zimbabwe. Established under the National Social Security Authority Act [Chapter 17:04], NSSA operates two primary schemes:
- Pension and Other Benefits Scheme (POBS) — provides retirement pensions, invalidity (disability) benefits, survivors’ benefits, and funeral grants
- Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fund (WCIF) — covers compensation for workplace injuries, occupational diseases, and death arising from employment
Every employer in Zimbabwe is legally required to register with NSSA and remit contributions for all employees. Failure to comply is a criminal offence.
Employer Registration with NSSA
Who Must Register?
Every person or entity that employs one or more persons must register with NSSA. This includes:
- Private limited companies
- Sole traders and partnerships
- Trusts and NGOs
- Households employing domestic workers
- Government departments and parastatals
Registration Process
- Obtain registration forms from any NSSA office or download from the NSSA website
- Complete Form NSSA 1 (Employer Registration) with company details
- Attach supporting documents:
- Certificate of Incorporation (CR14) or business registration
- Company address and contact details
- Director/owner national ID copies
- List of employees with national ID numbers
- Submit to the nearest NSSA office
- Receive NSSA employer number — typically issued within 5–10 working days
Employee Registration
Each employee must also be registered individually with NSSA. The employer is responsible for:
- Completing Form NSSA 2 (Employee Registration) for each new employee
- Providing: Employee’s full name, national ID number, date of birth, date of employment, and job title
- Submitting the form to NSSA within 14 days of the employee’s start date
- Obtaining an NSSA card for the employee (this serves as proof of registration)
Tip: If an employee already has an NSSA number from a previous employer, you do not need to re-register them. Simply add them to your employer account using their existing NSSA number.
Contribution Rates
| Contribution | Employer | Employee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pension & Benefits (POBS) | 3.5% | 3.5% | 7% |
| Workers’ Compensation (WCIF) | 1.0% | 1.0% | 2% |
| Total | 4.5% | 4.5% | 9% |
Contributions are calculated on insurable earnings, which is the employee’s gross salary capped at $700 per month. This means the maximum monthly NSSA contribution is:
- Employer: $31.50 (4.5% of $700)
- Employee: $31.50 (4.5% of $700)
- Total: $63.00 per month per employee
Payment Deadlines and Methods
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Payment deadline | 10th of the month following the pay period |
| Late payment penalty | 10% of outstanding amount plus interest |
| Payment methods | Bank transfer, NSSA online portal, or direct deposit at NSSA office |
| Reporting | Monthly returns (Form NSSA 3) listing all employees and contributions |
NSSA Benefits for Employees
Pension and Other Benefits Scheme
- Retirement pension — monthly pension upon reaching retirement age (currently 60 for women, 65 for men)
- Invalidity pension — for employees who become permanently disabled and unable to work
- Survivors’ benefit — pension paid to the spouse and dependants of a deceased contributor
- Funeral grant — lump sum to assist with burial costs
- Maternity benefit — 2/3 of salary for 98 days (subject to contribution history)
Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fund
- Medical expenses — covers treatment costs for workplace injuries
- Temporary disablement — income replacement during recovery
- Permanent disablement — lump sum or periodic payments based on degree of disability
- Death benefit — compensation to dependants of an employee who dies from a workplace injury or disease
Compliance and Penalties
- Non-registration: Criminal offence — prosecution and backdated contribution assessments
- Late payment: 10% penalty plus interest on outstanding amounts
- Non-payment: NSSA can obtain a court order to attach the employer’s assets
- Workplace accident (unregistered): Employer is personally liable for all compensation that NSSA would have covered
- False returns: Criminal offence — fines and possible imprisonment
Important: NSSA conducts regular compliance audits. Employers who are found to have been operating without registration face backdated assessments covering the entire period of non-compliance, plus penalties and interest.
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Get Started WhatsApp UsFrequently Asked Questions
What is NSSA in Zimbabwe?
NSSA (National Social Security Authority) is the statutory body responsible for administering social security in Zimbabwe. It operates two main schemes: the Pension and Other Benefits Scheme (providing retirement pensions, disability benefits, and survivors’ benefits) and the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fund (covering workplace injuries and diseases).
What are the NSSA contribution rates?
NSSA contributions total 9% of insurable earnings: 4.5% paid by the employer and 4.5% deducted from the employee’s gross salary. Contributions are capped at insurable earnings of $700 per month, meaning the maximum monthly contribution is $63 ($31.50 from each party).
When must NSSA contributions be paid?
NSSA contributions must be remitted by the 10th of the month following the pay period. For example, January contributions are due by 10 February. Late payments attract penalties of 10% of the outstanding amount plus interest.
What happens if an employer does not register with NSSA?
Failure to register with NSSA is a criminal offence. The employer may face prosecution, fines, and backdated contribution assessments. In the event of a workplace accident, an unregistered employer is personally liable for all compensation costs that NSSA would otherwise have covered.