24/02/2026
NSSA Assures Lifetime Payouts, Housing Support for Severely Injured Workers
The Pensions and Other Benefits Scheme Officer at the National Social Security Authority (NSSA), Mr. Samson Mbelechi, has said workers declared 70 percent incapacitated due to workplace injuries are entitled to lifetime monthly payouts and, in some cases, the construction of disability-friendly rural homes.
Mr. Mbelechi made the remarks during a retirement planning workshop hosted by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Harare.
“When someone is injured at work and has been assessed and rendered 70 percent incapacitated to work, they will receive a monthly payout for the rest of their life,” Mr. Mbelechi said. He added that the benefit “is not dependent on their duration of NSSA contributions.”
He explained that the financial support extends beyond the beneficiary’s lifetime. According to Mr. Mbelechi, the payout continues to the worker’s surviving spouse after death. He also noted that children born during the period the individual was employed remain eligible for benefits even after the death of their parent.
In addition to monthly compensation, NSSA may provide housing support to qualifying beneficiaries who own rural land.
“If that individual has rural land or a stand in the village, NSSA can build a rural home for them, one that is up to standard with good facilities suitable for their disability or injury,” he said.
Mr. Mbelechi added that NSSA, in conjunction with the government, is exploring ways to extend similar housing assistance to beneficiaries who own land in urban areas.
He also highlighted that NSSA operates a state-of-the-art rehabilitation facility in Bulawayo for injured workers, offering specialized services aimed at restoring mobility and independence.
Mr. Mbelechi reminded employers of their legal obligation to report workplace injuries within 14 days. Failure to comply attracts a penalty of US$20 for each day the report is delayed beyond the stipulated period.
“The employer is supposed to write to NSSA informing them of the injury and incapacitation of the injured employee within 14 days of the injury,” he said. “If the paperwork delays, a US$20 penalty per day is charged to the employer for each day delayed after the 14 days.”
The workshop brought together employees from the Zimbabwe East Union Conference (ZEUC), Adventist Dental Practice, Adventist Book Centre, and General Conference Auditing Services (GCAS) for training on retirement planning and social security benefits.
