FAQs
We, the Public Service Superannuation Fund (PSSF), are a pensions scheme established under the Public Service Superannuation Scheme Act, 2012 to provide civil servants with a stable and reliable income in retirement. Our members include teachers employed by the TSC, members of the National Police Service and the Prisons Service, NYS Officers and civil servants [under the PSC]. As a contributory pension scheme, employees contribute 7.5% of their basic salary, while the employer contributes 15% of the employee's basic salary.
Membership is automatic for all public service employees aged below 45 years as at 1st January 2021, those who signed the opt-in form in 2021 and for anyone joining the public service thereafter. PSSF membership include Teachers (under TSC), Police Officers, Prison Officers, NYS and employees of the Public Service Commission.
No. Under Section 5 of the Public Service Superannuation Scheme (PSSSS) Act, membership is mandatory for all public service employees aged below 45 years as at 1st January, 2021, for those who signed the opt-in form, and for anyone joining the public service after January 2021, regardless of membership in another pension scheme.
At retirement, your benefits will be processed in two parts: (1) You will file a claim for benefits saved under PSSF and (2) a claim for benefits for your past years of service before joining PSSF. The two claims are filed separately, processed independently and paid to you by the two respective institutions.
Yes. You can update your beneficiary details online. Visit https://mss.pssf.go.ke and log in. If you have not activated your account, click Sign Up, enter your National ID Number and Personal/Payroll Number for verification, confirm your active email address and create a secure password. Once logged in, navigate to the beneficiary management section to review and update your beneficiary information. The portal also allows you to download your contribution statement.
Upon joining PSSF, you cease to be an active contributor to the Widows and Children's Pension Scheme (WCPS). However, the WCPS contributions made before joining the PSSF form part of your accrued benefits, which are payable by the Pensions Department under the National Treasury upon exit from service.
Yes. You can make Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs) beyond the mandatory 7.5%. However, your employer's contribution remains capped at 15% and will not increase. To contribute more, download the AVC Form from our website, complete it, and submit it to your HR office for onward transmission to PSSF.
As a member of PSSF, on retirement, you may access up to one-third (1/3) of your total accumulated savings as a lump sum, payable immediately at retirement. The remaining two-thirds (2/3) is converted into a monthly pension (annuity), or into periodic payments as agreed with the Scheme (income draw-down).
No. Except in the following exceptional circumstances:
(1) Permanent Emigration - Where a member permanently relocates abroad and provides proof of residence with no intention of returning to Kenya.
(2) Permanent disability or critical illness - Where a member is certified by the Medical Practitioners Board as permanently unfit to serve.
(3) Death while in service - The member's full pension benefits are payable to their nominated beneficiaries or lawful dependants.
Benefits are paid within a maximum of 30 days after a member exits service and submits a claim, provided a complete and duty processed file has been received. To ensure timely processing and payment of benefits, members are encouraged to regularly update their personal informations and beneficiary details.
Yes. Under Section 5(4) of the Public Service Superannuation Scheme (PSSS) Act, a seconded officer may continue contributing to PSSF and also save your Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) with the scheme.
The normal retirement age under the Public Service Superannuation Scheme (PSSSS) is 60 years for most civil servants. For officers living with disabilities, however, the retirement age is 65 years, in line with government policy.
Yes. If you leave service before the normal retirement age through retirement or termination, you will be entitled to 50% of your own contributions and 50% of your employer contribution immediately. The remainder will be preserved in the Scheme until you reach the minimum pensionable age of 50 years.
No. By law, pension benefits cannot be assigned, pledged, or used as security for a loan. This restriction is provided under the Retirement Benefits Act, 1997, which protects members' savings so that they are preserved strictly for retirement income.
Your final pension benefits include: Employer contribution + Employee Contribution + Investment income. This means your final benefit is the total contributions made on your behalf (by your employer) and deductions from your basic pay, plus all interest earned from the investment of your money over your working period.
No. Funds from the old scheme cannot be transferred to PSSF. At retirement, your benefits will be processed in two parts:
(1) From PSSF - you will claim your pension contributions and investment income saved under the scheme from January 2021 or from your date of joining.
(2) From Treasury's Pensions Department (Bima House) - you will claim benefits for your past years of service before joining PSSF.
(1) From PSSF - you will claim your pension contributions and investment income saved under the scheme from January 2021 or from your date of joining.
(2) From Treasury's Pensions Department (Bima House) - you will claim benefits for your past years of service before joining PSSF.
Your contributions are invested through a diversified investment strategy that spreads funds across different asset classes such as government securities and equities. This approach balances security, growth, and liquidity, while reducing risk by avoiding over-reliance on any single investment.
No. Member contributions are not used to meet administration expenses. The scheme invests funds across a diversified portfolio of assets to reduce risk and support stable long-term returns. This approach helps cushion members against poor performance in any single investment category.
Member interests are represented through the Board of Trustees, which includes representatives from KNUT, KUPPET, Union of Kenya Civil Servants (UKCS), the Public Service Commission, TSC, National Treasury and National Police Service. The Scheme is regulated by the Retirement Benefits Authority and subjected to annual independent audits to ensure transparency, accountability, and protection of members' funds.