NSSF Beneficiary Nomination Form (Kenya)
NATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY FUND (NSSF)
BENEFICIARY NOMINATION FORM
National Social Security Fund Act No. 45 of 2013, Section 32
Date of Nomination: [Nomination Date]
PART A: MEMBER DETAILS
Full Legal Name: [Member Name]
NSSF Membership Number: [NSSF No]
National Identity Card Number: [NIC No]
Date of Birth: [Date of Birth]
Postal and Physical Address: [Member Address]
Employer Name: [Employer Name]
Employer NSSF Code: [Employer NSSF Code]
PART B: BENEFICIARY NOMINATION
Pursuant to Section 32 of the National Social Security Fund Act No. 45 of 2013, I, [Member Name], hereby nominate the following person(s) to receive my NSSF provident fund balance on my death:
First Beneficiary:
Full Name: [Bene 1 Name]
Relationship: [Bene 1 Relationship]
NIC / Birth Certificate No.: [Bene 1 ID No]
Date of Birth: [Bene 1 DOB]
Address: [Bene 1 Address]
Share of NSSF Balance: [Bene 1 Share]
Second Beneficiary (if applicable):
Full Name: [Bene 2 Name]
Relationship: [Bene 2 Relationship]
NIC / Birth Certificate No.: [Bene 2 ID No]
Date of Birth: [Bene 2 DOB]
Share of NSSF Balance: [Bene 2 Share]
PART C: TRUSTEE FOR MINOR BENEFICIARIES
Where any of the above-nominated beneficiaries is under 18 years of age, I hereby appoint the following person as Trustee to receive and administer the NSSF fund balance on behalf of the minor until they attain the age of majority, in accordance with Section 32 of the NSSF Act No. 45 of 2013 and the Children Act No. 29 of 2022:
Trustee Name: [Trustee Name]
Trustee NIC Number: [Trustee NIC No]
Trustee Address: [Trustee Address]
PART D: DECLARATION BY MEMBER
I, [Member Name], declare that:
1. I am a registered member of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) with Membership Number [NSSF No].
2. The information provided in this Nomination Form is true and correct.
3. I understand that this nomination revokes all previous beneficiary nominations I have made to the NSSF.
4. I understand that I may revoke or vary this nomination at any time during my lifetime by submitting a fresh Nomination Form to the NSSF.
5. I understand that the NSSF Board of Trustees will pay the nominated beneficiaries in accordance with Section 32 of the National Social Security Fund Act No. 45 of 2013 upon receipt of a certified death certificate and required supporting documentation.
Signed by the Member on [Nomination Date].
NSSF Member
________________
Signature
Employer Representative / Authorised Officer
________________
Signature
Witness
________________
Signature
What Is a NSSF Beneficiary Nomination Form (Kenya)?
A NSSF Beneficiary Nomination Form in Kenya records the particulars required for the matter it documents.
The NSSF was originally established by the National Social Security Fund Act Cap. 258 (old Act) and operates a mandatory provident fund scheme for employees in both the formal and informal sectors in Kenya. The NSSF Act No. 45 of 2013 (new Act) — although its full commencement has been subject to litigation before the Court of Appeal of Kenya — significantly expanded NSSF contribution levels and introduced new fund structures. The Fund is regulated by the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) under the Retirement Benefits Act Cap. 197 and overseen by the NSSF Board of Trustees.
Every employed Kenyan is required to register with the NSSF and make monthly contributions. As at 2024, minimum NSSF contributions under the old Act are KES 200 per month (employer and employee combined), while the NSSF Act No. 45 of 2013 — where applied — requires contributions based on the Lower Earnings Limit and Upper Earnings Limit set by the Cabinet Secretary responsible for Labour under Section 20 of the Act. Employers are required by Section 19 of the NSSF Act No. 45 of 2013 to register their employees with NSSF and remit contributions by the 9th day of the following month.
The nomination is not irrevocable — an NSSF member may revoke or vary a nomination at any time during their lifetime by completing a fresh nomination form. Nominations do not override the rights of dependants who may have a claim under the Law of Succession Act Cap. 160 or the matrimonial property rights of a spouse under the Matrimonial Property Act No. 49 of 2013, but they do provide the NSSF Board of Trustees with a clear direction for payment of the fund balance immediately on receipt of a valid death certificate and supporting documentation.
The RBA's Retirement Benefits (Occupational Retirement Benefits Schemes) Regulations, Legal Notice No. 55 of 2000 (as amended), also require that occupational pension schemes and provident funds registered with the RBA maintain up-to-date beneficiary nomination records, making the NSSF nomination form a critical document in any employee's retirement and estate planning alongside a will prepared under the Law of Succession Act Cap. 160, a nominee declaration for life insurance under the Insurance Act Cap. 487, and an occupational pension scheme nomination.
When Do You Need a NSSF Beneficiary Nomination Form (Kenya)?
An NSSF Beneficiary Nomination Form in Kenya is needed in several critical situations and should be completed as a matter of priority by every NSSF member.
The Form is needed immediately upon commencing employment and NSSF membership — every new employee registered with the NSSF by their employer under Section 19 of the NSSF Act No. 45 of 2013 should complete a beneficiary nomination form at the same time as their NSSF registration, confirming that their provident fund savings have a designated recipient from day one.
The Form is needed following a major life event — marriage, the birth of a child, the death of a previously nominated beneficiary, or a change in family circumstances such as divorce or separation — that makes the existing nomination outdated or inappropriate. Under the Matrimonial Property Act No. 49 of 2013, a spouse acquires rights in matrimonial property, and an NSSF nomination that does not reflect the member's current family situation may result in disputes over the fund balance between the nominated beneficiary and other dependants.
The Form is needed when updating estate planning documents — alongside a will prepared under the Law of Succession Act Cap. 160 and a power of attorney. Thorough estate planning in Kenya should confirm that all financial assets — NSSF savings, life insurance policies under the Insurance Act Cap. 487, occupational pension scheme benefits under the Retirement Benefits Act Cap. 197, and bank accounts — have consistent and up-to-date beneficiary designations.
The Form is needed when a member moves between employers — although NSSF membership is personal and portable, a change of employer is an appropriate occasion to review and update the beneficiary nomination to confirm it still reflects the member's wishes.
The Form is needed by informal sector workers and self-employed individuals who voluntarily contribute to NSSF — matatu operators, traders, artisans, and entrepreneurs — to protect their accumulated savings for their dependants. Without a nomination, informal sector savers' NSSF balances may be trapped in the estate administration process for years, denying their families access to the funds at the time of greatest need.
Parties in Kenya should prepare a NSSF Beneficiary Nomination Form (Kenya) proactively rather than waiting for a dispute to arise. Courts interpret agreements based on the written terms rather than oral representations. Under the Employment Act No. 11 of 2007, the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) adjudicates workplace disputes in Kenya. Section 35 of the Employment Act 2007 governs termination of employment. The National Social Security Fund Act No. 45 of 2013 mandates employer contributions to NSSF. The Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) replaced NHIF in 2024. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) administers PAYE under the Income Tax Act (Cap. 470). Where the transaction involves regulated activities, prior approval from the relevant authority may be required before execution.
What to Include in Your NSSF Beneficiary Nomination Form (Kenya)
A Kenya NSSF Beneficiary Nomination Form under Section 32 of the National Social Security Fund Act No. 45 of 2013 must include the following information to be valid and processable by the NSSF Board of Trustees.
Member Details: Full legal name of the NSSF member as registered with the Fund; NSSF membership number; National Identity Card (NIC) number or passport number; date of birth; employer name; employer NSSF code (if applicable); and the member's current postal and physical address.
Beneficiary Details: For each nominated beneficiary — full legal name; relationship to the member (spouse, child, parent, sibling, dependant); National Identity Card number or birth certificate number for minors; date of birth; and physical and postal address. Where the beneficiary is a minor under 18 years, the name and contact details of the guardian who shall receive the funds on behalf of the minor must be provided, consistent with the Children Act No. 29 of 2022 and the Law of Succession Act Cap. 160.
Shares or Proportions: The percentage or fraction of the NSSF balance to be paid to each beneficiary — the total allocation must equal 100% of the fund balance. Members may nominate a single beneficiary to receive 100% or distribute the fund balance among multiple beneficiaries in any proportion.
Trustee for Minor Beneficiaries: Where a beneficiary is under 18, Section 32 of the NSSF Act No. 45 of 2013 requires the member to appoint a trustee to hold and administer the funds until the minor reaches the age of majority. The trustee's full name, NIC number, and address must be provided. The trustee should not be the same person as the minor's nominated guardian to confirm proper oversight.
Member's Signature and Date: The member must sign the nomination form personally and date it. An undated or unsigned nomination may be rejected by NSSF as invalid.
Witness: A witness — typically an employer representative, a licensed pension administrator, or a Commissioner for Oaths under the Commissioners for Oaths Act Cap. 11 — should sign and date the form to confirm that the member signed in their presence. Witnessing is not strictly mandatory under the NSSF Act No. 45 of 2013 but is required by NSSF administrative practice.
Revocation and Resubmission: Members should be aware that completing a new nomination form automatically revokes all prior nominations — the NSSF processes only the most recently submitted valid nomination form. Members should keep a copy of the completed form and confirm the employer submits it to NSSF promptly. Forms-legal.com provides this NSSF Beneficiary Nomination Form as a practical guide to help Kenyan employees and informal sector workers secure their retirement savings for their families under the NSSF Act No. 45 of 2013.
Additional compliance elements for a NSSF Beneficiary Nomination Form (Kenya) used in Kenya include: Under the Employment Act No. 11 of 2007, the Employment and Labour Relations Court (ELRC) adjudicates workplace disputes in Kenya. Section 35 of the Employment Act 2007 governs termination of employment. The National Social Security Fund Act No. 45 of 2013 mandates employer contributions to NSSF. The Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) replaced NHIF in 2024. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) administers PAYE under the Income Tax Act (Cap. 470). Forms-legal.com provides this template as a starting point for Kenya-compliant documentation.
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Forms Legal. (2026). NSSF Beneficiary Nomination Form (Kenya) (Kenya) [Legal document template]. Forms Legal. https://forms-legal.com/kenya/employment/forms/nssf-beneficiary-nomination-form-kenya
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note = {Free legal document template}
}Frequently Asked Questions
If an NSSF member in Kenya dies without a valid beneficiary nomination, the member's accumulated NSSF savings become part of the deceased's estate and are distributed according to the Law of Succession Act Cap. 160. The family or dependants of the deceased must apply to the High Court of Kenya (Probate and Administration Division) for either a grant of probate (if there is a valid will) or letters of administration (if there is no will) before the NSSF Board of Trustees will release the fund balance. This process can take anywhere from six months to several years, depending on court backlogs, the complexity of the estate, and whether any disputes arise among family members. During this period, the NSSF savings are frozen and unavailable to the deceased's spouse, children, or other dependants — potentially causing severe financial hardship. In contrast, where a valid nomination is in place, the NSSF Board of Trustees can pay the nominated beneficiaries within weeks of receiving a certified death certificate and proof of identity, without requiring a grant of probate. The Law of Succession Act Cap. 160 and the Matrimonial Property Act No. 49 of 2013 may still give spouses and dependants the right to challenge a nomination that fails to provide for them adequately, but a valid nomination substantially accelerates the payment process and reduces legal costs for the family.
Yes. Section 32 of the National Social Security Fund Act No. 45 of 2013 does not restrict NSSF beneficiary nominations to family members — a member may nominate any individual, including a friend, a business partner, or a caregiver, as a beneficiary. However, in practice, nominations of non-family members carry a higher risk of challenge under the Law of Succession Act Cap. 160, which gives spouses and dependants the right to apply to the High Court for reasonable provision from the estate of a deceased person. If the nominated non-family beneficiary receives the NSSF savings and the deceased's spouse or children are left without adequate provision, they may apply to court to recover a portion of the funds. The Matrimonial Property Act No. 49 of 2013 additionally protects a surviving spouse's rights in matrimonial property, which may include a claim over NSSF savings accumulated during the marriage. To minimise legal risk, NSSF members who wish to nominate a non-family member should also prepare a detailed will under the Law of Succession Act Cap. 160 that explains their testamentary wishes and makes adequate provision for all legal dependants. Consulting an advocate in Kenya admitted under the Advocates Act Cap. 16 is advisable before making such nominations.
Changing an NSSF beneficiary nomination in Kenya is straightforward. The member simply completes a new NSSF Beneficiary Nomination Form — available from the NSSF offices, employer HR departments, or the NSSF self-service portal — and submits it to the NSSF. Completing and submitting a new form automatically revokes all previous nominations, so the member does not need to formally cancel the old nomination — the most recently received valid form takes precedence. If the member is currently employed, the new nomination form should be submitted through the employer, who will forward it to NSSF with the employer's stamp and authorised signature. Self-employed and informal sector contributors can submit the form directly to any NSSF branch office or through the NSSF Huduma Centre desks. Members should keep a copy of the completed and submitted nomination form for their records and obtain an acknowledgement from NSSF confirming receipt of the updated nomination. Life changes that should trigger an update to the NSSF nomination include marriage (the new spouse should be added or substituted), birth of a child, death of a nominated beneficiary, divorce or legal separation under the Marriage Act No. 4 of 2014, or any other change in family circumstances that affects the member's intentions for their NSSF savings.
NSSF provident fund savings paid to nominated beneficiaries in Kenya are exempt from estate duty — Kenya abolished estate duty under the Estate Duty (Abolition) Act of 1981, so there is no inheritance tax applicable to NSSF fund balances paid to nominees. The NSSF savings paid to a nominated beneficiary are also treated as retirement benefits under the Income Tax Act Cap. 470, subject to the retirement benefits tax exemption provisions under Section 8(4) of the Income Tax Act, which exempt approved retirement benefits payments from income tax up to the prescribed limits. As at 2024, retirement benefit payments from registered schemes approved under the Retirement Benefits Act Cap. 197 are tax-exempt up to specified limits set by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). For NSSF savings specifically, the fund balance — comprising both member and employer contributions accumulated over the member's working life — is generally paid to beneficiaries free of income tax under the NSSF Act No. 45 of 2013 and the Income Tax Act Cap. 470. However, members and beneficiaries should confirm the current KRA tax treatment with a qualified tax consultant registered with the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) before relying on the exemption, as tax regulations may be updated by the Finance Act each year.
NSSF beneficiaries claiming a deceased member's fund balance in Kenya must submit the following documents to the NSSF Board of Trustees to initiate the payment process. Certified copy of the member's death certificate issued by the Registrar of Births and Deaths under the Births and Deaths Registration Act Cap. 149 — a certified copy from the relevant registrar's office is required, not a photocopy. Completed NSSF Death Claim Form — available from NSSF offices and the NSSF portal. Copy of the original NSSF Beneficiary Nomination Form filed by the deceased member — beneficiaries should retain a copy of the nomination form since NSSF may request it as confirmation of entitlement. Proof of identity of each beneficiary — National Identity Card, passport, or birth certificate for minors. Where the beneficiary is a minor, identification documents of the appointed trustee or guardian, and evidence of guardianship such as a court order under the Children Act No. 29 of 2022 or the Law of Succession Act Cap. 160. Where there is no valid nomination, a certified copy of the grant of probate or letters of administration issued by the High Court of Kenya (Probate and Administration Division) under the Law of Succession Act Cap. 160. NSSF bank account details or M-Pesa details for payment. Claims are processed at NSSF regional offices and the NSSF headquarters in Nairobi, and payment is typically made by electronic transfer to the nominated beneficiary's bank account or mobile money wallet.
This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.Full disclaimer
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