NORTHERN PROVINCE PS CALLS FOR STAKEHOLDER INPUT ON PENSION REFORMS

Northern Province Permanent Secretary Bernard Mpundu has called on public service employees to actively participate in the ongoing consultative meetings aimed at gathering feedback on the draft Pension Reforms Bill.

The proposed reforms, which seek to repeal and replace the current National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA), Public Service Pension Scheme (PSP), and Local Authority Superannuation Fund (LASF) Acts, are designed to streamline Zambia’s public service pension system.

Speaking at the official opening of the engagement meeting in Kasama on 10 December, 2025, Mr. Mpundu emphasized the importance of the consultations in ensuring that the new framework is equitable and fair for all public service retirees.

He noted that the primary goal of the reforms is to harmonize pension schemes, thereby creating a more consistent and transparent process for distributing benefits to retired public servants.

"These reforms aim to provide a unified system that benefits all public sector employees equally, ensuring fairness and equity in how retirement benefits are administered," Mr. Mpundu said.

The consultations, which have been taking place across the country, have also seen participation from key stakeholders, including Labor Unions, Parliamentarians, and members from the three affected public schemes NAPSA, PSPF and LASF.

Mr. Francis Pindani Nyirenda, a member of the Pension Reforms Steering Committee and CEO of the Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF), also addressed the gathering, reiterating the need for consistency in pension payouts.

Mr. Nyirenda pointed out that public service workers have in the past faced discrepancies in retirement benefits, with some workers receiving far less than others upon retiring.

"We must ensure that retirement benefits are not only timely but also equitable across all public service workers, eliminating the disparities that have existed for too long," Mr. Nyirenda stated.

The consultations are being spearheaded by the Emoluments Commission, with presentations being made by representatives from PSPF, NAPSA, and LASF. These engagements are intended to ensure that all stakeholders have a voice in shaping the future of Zambia's public service pension system.

As these meetings continue, officials hope to refine the proposed reforms based on feedback from employees and other concerned parties, ultimately creating a more just and transparent pension system for Zambia's public sector workforce