Pension benefits in Rwanda are given to individuals who have exited public service after 55 or 60 years, which is the retirement age.
Retirement Benefits:
If you have 15 years’ of service, then your pension will be 30% of your higher average salary in the last 5 years. If you have more than 15 years’ of service, then you earn an additional 2% for each additional year. For example:
30% for 15 years
32% for 16 years
34% for 17 years
36% for 18 years, etc
If you have less than 15 years’ service, then you will receive a lump sum settlement.
Pension or lump sum settlement benefits are payable from age 60 (or the pension age fixed by particular statutory arrangements). You can also chose to work post age 60 and continue to earn benefits.
Early Retirement Benefits:
When you become physically or mentally incapacitated and can therefore no longer work for a salary, you can apply for early retirement benefits.
Invalidity Benefits:
You may become an invalid following an accident or disease having no origin from occupational work-related circumstances. It is not enough to be invalid in order to qualify for invalidity pension. You must also fulfil the following conditions:
- Having been a registered contributing member with RSSB for at least 3 years; and
- Having completed at least (6)six months of insurance with RSSB during the last 12 months preceding the beginning of the invalidity.
What benefits are paid in the case of death of the contributor?
In case of death, your eligible survivor will be entitled to either a survivor’s monthly pension or a survivor’s lump sum settlement.
- Survivor’s pension
A survivor’s pension is payable when you die in retirement (normal, early or invalidity) and you fulfil the required conditions for receiving a pension.
Who are your eligible survivors?
- The widow must have been legally married at least for six months before the death of beneficiary.
- The children who are unmarried, not working for a salary and are either the deceased’s legitimate children, legally adopted or those born outside wedlock but recognized as his or hers by law. They must be aged less than 18 years old, or less than 25 years old if still in full time education and without age limit if they are disabled and cannot work for a salary.
- The deceased’s own or adopted parents i.e. if he or she left no wife or husband or children.
How is the survivors’ pension calculated?
Survivors pensions are calculated in percentages based on the pension which the deceased was receiving or was eligible to receive at the time of death.
The percentages are:
- 50% of the old age pension for the widow
- 25% for each child (where the other remaining parent is still alive)
- 50% for each child (where both parents are now deceased)
- 25% for each direct or adopted parent when the deceased leaves no wife, husband or children
Survivor’s Lump Sum
This is payable when a pension to the member was not previously payable (as the criteria had not been met – i.e. less than 15 years’ service).