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How Much NSSF Do You Pay Under the New 2022 Act? (Simple Guide)
Retirement & Pension

How Much NSSF Do You Pay Under the New 2022 Act? (Simple Guide)

2 min read
Serrari Wealth Builder
Elsie Njenga

Elsie Njenga

Research & Statistics Graduate Trainee, Serrari Group

Contents & display options
Retirement & Pension

How Much NSSF Do You Pay Under the New 2022 Act? (Simple Guide)

2 min readby Elsie NjengaSerrari Wealth Builder

How Much NSSF Do You Pay Under the New 2022 Act? (Simple Guide)

šŸ’” Quick Answer:

Under the NSSF Act 2022, employees and employers each contribute 6% of the employee's salary, subject to minimum and maximum limits.

The contributions are paid to the National Social Security Fund to support retirement savings.


Imagine This

You earn KSh 40,000 per month.

Under the new NSSF rules:

  • You contribute 6% of your salary
  • Your employer also contributes 6%

This means both you and your employer contribute to your retirement savings.


How the NSSF Contributions Work

The new NSSF system divides contributions into two tiers.

TierSalary RangeContribution Rate
Tier ILower salary band6%
Tier IIHigher salary band6%

Both the employee and employer contribute the same percentage.


Minimum Contribution

The minimum contribution applies to lower income levels.

Example:

ContributionAmount
EmployeeKSh 420
EmployerKSh 420
TotalKSh 840

This applies to employees earning below a certain threshold.


Maximum Contribution

For higher salaries, contributions are capped.

Example:

ContributionAmount
EmployeeKSh 2,160
EmployerKSh 2,160
TotalKSh 4,320

This means the maximum monthly contribution combined is KSh 4,320.


Example Calculation

If someone earns:

šŸ’° KSh 50,000 per month

The contributions would be:

ContributorAmount
EmployeeKSh 2,160
EmployerKSh 2,160
Total Monthly ContributionKSh 4,320

These funds go toward the employee's retirement benefits.


Why NSSF Contributions Matter

NSSF contributions help individuals:

  • build retirement savings
  • receive pension benefits later in life āœ” access social security benefits

The system encourages workers to save for retirement.

For private pension options beyond NSSF, read the best private pension funds in Kenya.


Who Must Contribute?

NSSF contributions apply to:

  • employees in formal employment āœ” employers who must deduct contributions from salaries

Self-employed individuals can also make voluntary contributions.

For details on when you can access NSSF funds early, read can I withdraw my NSSF before retirement?


Frequently Asked Questions


Is NSSF mandatory in Kenya?

Yes. Employers are required to register employees and make contributions.


Can self-employed people contribute?

Yes. Self-employed individuals can register and contribute voluntarily.


What happens to the money?

The contributions are invested by NSSF and paid out as retirement benefits.


Final Thoughts

The NSSF Act 2022 increased contributions to help workers build stronger retirement savings.

By contributing a percentage of income together with employers, employees gradually build funds that support them after retirement.

For a complete retirement plan, read how much do I need to retire in Kenya?

To understand the tax benefits of pension contributions, see are pension contributions tax deductible in Kenya?

Speak to a Serrari advisor for guidance on maximising your retirement savings.


Quick Tip

Regularly check your NSSF statements to confirm that your employer is submitting the correct contributions.

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