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Business Reporter
NATIONAL Social Security Authority (NSSA) has launched a discounted grocery scheme in partnership with SPAR for pensioners aged 60 years and above.
The arrangement is part of initiatives that the social security authority is taking to alleviate the plight of pensioners and beneficiaries.
NSSA said the scheme would see pensioners enjoying a 10 percent discount when they shop during prescribed pensioners’ days.
Currently participating SPAR outlets are the ones in Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare and Kwekwe.
NSSA, which is currently on a re-branding exercise, says it is prioritising improving the welfare of pensioners as one of its major objectives this year.
Included among measures are periodic reviews of pension pay-outs with a targeted minimum equivalent of US$60 per month by year end, payable at the prevailing auction rate.
The current minimum monthly pension, which is equivalent to US$35, is set to be reviewed to the auction rate equivalent of US$40 in October.
NSSA general manager, Arthur Manase said the scheme constituted a portion of measures the authority is taking to ease the difficulties faced by pensioners.
“We promised to focus on the welfare of pensioners during 2021 as part of our re-branding journey where we want to reassert our position as the provider of social security to formally employed Zimbabweans.
“I am pleased to advise that we have made a breakthrough with SPAR who are offering a 10 percent discount to NSSA pensioners at selected outlets across the country.
“The discounts will be offered on specific pensioner days, one is required to produce their NSSA card together with some positive identification, such as a national ID or passport,” said Manase.
There were ongoing negotiations with other retailers in order to spread the grocery discount facility to as many pensioners as possible.
“Discussions are currently underway to extend the discount scheme to a pharmacy chain that is part of the SPAR group,” added Manase.
He also said NSSA was negotiating with SPAR to include franchises that are not part of the corporate stores to come on board so that pensioners across the country could benefit from the scheme.
In July NSSA launched a revolving facility for pensioners seeking to embark on income generating projects ,currently available through National Building Society (NBS) and POSB, where pensioners can access up to 10 times their monthly pay-out, payable over 18 months at an interest rate of 10 percent per annum.
The initiative started with NBS and POSB since they account for over 70 percent of beneficiaries.
In countrywide pensioner engagement meetings held earlier this year, Public Services, Labour and Social Welfare Minister, Professor Paul Mavima, spelt out various initiatives NSSA would be implementing this year to supplement pension pay-outs, which included negotiating with retail outlets to give special preference to NSSA pensioners through loyalty schemes.
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