The National Social Security Authority (NSSA) will award pensioners a $10 000 grocery stipend and cushioning allowances this month.
In a statement on Friday, NSSA general manager Arthur Manase said the once-off payment will be staggered within the month and is in response to the rising cost of living. Manase said:
Although we run a social security scheme, which is meant to complement pensioners’ receipts from occupational pension funds, the reality on the ground is that NSSA is now the primary, if not the only, source for pension for most retirees.
As a result, a lot of pressure is placed on NSSA to assist its pensioners and beneficiaries, particularly during this exceedingly difficult phase we are going through.
All NSSA beneficiaries can look forward to a once-off grocery allowance of $10 000 this month.
In addition, we will be awarding them a cushioning allowance equivalent to one month’s pension while we are going through the approval process to adjust pension levels accordingly.
NSSA’s minimum monthly retirement pension pay-out is pegged at US$70 payable in Zimbabwe dollars at the official exchange rate.