The Social Security Commission (SSC) paid out N$367.3 million across its benefit schemes over the past year, with maternity benefits accounting for the largest share at N$213.1 million.
The Maternity, Sick and Death Fund accounted for N$302.3 million, or more than 82% of the SSC’s total payouts during the 12-month period.
Maternity benefits dominated payments from the fund at N$213.1 million, representing about 70.5% of the fund’s payouts. Disability and retirement benefits followed at N$55 million, while sick leave claims amounted to N$25 million and death benefits totalled N$9.2 million.
Under the Employee Compensation Fund, the SSC paid out N$27.8 million, comprising N$19.3 million in pension payments, N$6.5 million for temporary disability and N$2 million for medical expenses.
The Funeral Benefit Scheme recorded N$35.9 million in payouts covering about 8,000 claims during the year. Each claim is valued at N$4,500 and is paid directly to funeral undertakers, with 121 undertakers registered under the scheme.
The Development Fund recorded N$1.3 million in payments, comprising N$1.2 million in bursaries and N$123,700 in loans.
The SSC’s more recent figures show maternity benefits continuing to drive payouts.
Over the past three months, the Commission paid about N$100.5 million across the schemes, of which the Maternity, Sick and Death Fund accounted for N$84.6 million.
Maternity benefits amounted to N$60.2 million during the three-month period, followed by disability and retirement benefits at N$15.6 million. Sick leave claims totalled N$6.5 million, while death benefits amounted to N$2.3 million.
The Employee Compensation Fund paid N$4.8 million during the period, while the Funeral Benefit Scheme recorded N$9.8 million in payments covering about 2,000 claims. The Development Fund paid N$1.3 million.
During the most recent 30-day period, total payouts across the schemes reached about N$36 million, with N$30.2 million paid through the Maternity, Sick and Death Fund.
Maternity benefits again accounted for the largest portion at N$22.1 million, while disability and retirement benefits amounted to N$5.1 million, sick leave claims N$2.3 million and death benefits N$740,000.
The Employee Compensation Fund paid N$1.8 million during the 30-day period, while N$2.7 million was paid through the Funeral Benefit Scheme for 667 claims.
Under the SSC maternity benefit, qualifying female members receive 100% of their basic wage up to a maximum of N$15,000 for at least 12 weeks, extending to a maximum of 16 weeks in qualifying cases.
Sick leave benefits apply to qualifying employees booked off for at least 30 consecutive days after exhausting paid sick leave available under the Labour Act or their employment contracts.
The SSC also provides a once-off N$12,000 death, disability or retirement benefit to qualifying fully paid-up members.
The Funeral Benefit Scheme, which the SSC has administered under the Government Social Assistance Programme since April 2020, provides funeral support for qualifying senior citizens and people living with disabilities covered by the Basic State Grant. The Development Fund provides bursaries, loans and other financial assistance aimed at improving access to skills development, training and tertiary education.
