Pay & working terms · 4 min read
How much is NSSF per month in Uganda? 5% plus 10%, with a table by salary
NSSF is 15% of your gross monthly wage. You pay 5% and your employer adds 10%. On UGX 1,000,000 that's 50,000 from you and 100,000 from your employer, so 150,000 a month goes into your account.
NSSF says your employer must deduct 5% from your total gross monthly wage, add 10% of its own and pay the total of 15% by the 15th day of the following month. It's a percentage, not a fixed amount, so it grows with your pay. Here's what that comes to at common salaries, how it affects your tax, and how to check that the money really arrives.
NSSF per month by salary
300,000: 15,000 + 30,000 = 45,000 500,000: 25,000 + 50,000 = 75,000 700,000: 35,000 + 70,000 = 105,000 1,000,000: 50,000 + 100,000 = 150,000 1,500,000: 75,000 + 150,000 = 225,000 2,000,000: 100,000 + 200,000 = 300,000 5,000,000: 250,000 + 500,000 = 750,000
To work it out for any salary, multiply your gross pay by 0.05 for your part and 0.10 for your employer's. Use gross pay, the full figure before any deductions, not your take-home. NSSF's page says total gross monthly wage and shows no cap, so the percentage is the same at any level on that page.
What it adds up to in a year
On UGX 1,000,000 a month, 150,000 a month is 1,800,000 a year going in under your name, before any interest. Only 600,000 of that came from your pay, and the other 1,200,000 is your employer's. A missing month costs you both parts, which is why it's worth checking your statement.
Does NSSF reduce your tax?
Your 5% doesn't. URA says the employee's own contribution remains taxable, so PAYE is worked out on your full gross pay and then your 5% comes off what's left. Your employer's 10% isn't treated as your taxable income.
Gross pay: 1,000,000 PAYE: 188,250 NSSF, your 5%: 50,000 Take-home: UGX 761,750 Paid on top by your employer: NSSF 100,000
Who has to pay
NSSF says the Fund covers all employers, whatever the number of employees, for employees between 16 and 55. So a shop with two workers is covered, not just big companies. The exception is staff under the Government Pensions scheme.
If you work for yourself, you aren't forced to contribute, but you can save voluntarily. Members can also pay in more than the standard rate.
How to register and check your money
- Register with your National ID number (NIN) or passport number. NSSF's membership page points to nssfgo.app/register/new-member.
- Give your NSSF number to your employer in writing, so your contributions go to the right account.
- Check your balance and mini statement on the NSSF website or in the NSSFGo app. Compare the months listed with your payslips.
- If a month is missing, ask HR for the payment details first. Then call NSSF on its toll free line, 0800 286 773, or write to customerservice@nssfug.org.
Our employee guide covers missing months and every benefit in more detail.
When you can take the money out
The age benefit comes at 55. NSSF also has midterm access: from 45 with at least 10 years of contributions, you can take a sum of up to 20% of your accrued benefits. A member with a disability can take 50% from age 40, also with 10 years of contributions.
Claims don't need an agent. Apply through NSSF's own channels and never pay anyone to speed up a claim.
Sources and further reading
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Frequently asked questions
How much is NSSF on a salary of UGX 500,000?
You pay UGX 25,000 and your employer adds UGX 50,000, so UGX 75,000 goes into your account each month.
Is NSSF charged on my gross or my basic pay?
NSSF's page says total gross monthly wage. If your payslip shows it on a smaller figure, ask HR why.
Can my employer take the whole 15% from my pay?
No. NSSF says the employer deducts 5% from you and adds 10% itself. If your payslip shows more than 5% going to NSSF, ask why in writing, unless you've chosen to save extra.
Do casual and temporary workers pay NSSF?
NSSF says that under the NSSF (Amendment) Act 2022 coverage takes in small and large companies, permanent and temporary staff, and casual and subcontracted staff.