Pension schemes: Pension industry eyes Sh1tr assets

The Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) targets to grow the pension industry coverage to 20 per cent in the next five years.

The pension industry regulator also intends to increase assets from the current Sh696.68 billion to reach Sh1.02 trillion by June 2019. RBA Chief Executive Officer Edward Odundo yesterday said the ambitious strategy will be fast-tracked to encourage high growth as well as bring on board more contributors.

“This will be possible through targeted awareness programs and products designed to reach out to segmented groups. The authority will also pursue automatic enrollment,” said Odundo. He said RBA will create a facilitative legal framework to encourage product diversification and improve returns on savings. It will also review the National Pension Policy with a view to encouraging growth.
In the Strategic Plan (2014-2019), Odundo said that the pension industry has been facing challenges key among them how to bring on board the Jua Kali artisans.
“A developed pension system will have secondary effects on mobilisation of long term savings. This will spur growth of pension assets,” he added.
Total industry assets grew by 99 per cent in the second half of 2013 to stand at Sh696.68 billion as at December 31, 2013. Odundo said the amount is made up of Sh564.82 billion held by fund managers and insurance issuers, Sh92.86 billion is internally administered by National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and an additional Sh39 billion of property investments directly managed by scheme trustees. The assets under fund management include Sh43.4 billion of NSSF funds that are externally managed by the six contracted managers.
To ensure the informal sector joins the pension industry, RBA launched the “Mbao” Pension scheme in 2011. Jua kali artisans contribute a minimum Sh20 every day. As at mid of March this year the scheme had accumulated more than Sh75.8 million and membership increased to more than 53,230 people.

Real Estate
Premium Inside Housing Law that will grant Ruto billions for project
Financial Standard
Premium 14 years on, Kenya's oil dream still a mirage amid mounting Tullow woes
By Kamau Muthoni 17 mins ago
Financial Standard
Premium Transport tycoon's widow battles lender over Sh174m 'fictitious' loan
Financial Standard
Premium It's high time we went the lottery way in allocating public sector jobs