How are millions of Kenyan jua kali, informal economy, workers not saving for retirement? I argue that most of these workers are not planning in any way for the day that they can no longer work.
Jua kali workers are employed by small businesses or employ themselves in small scale income generating activities. Such work results in small scale, irregular sources of income that often make it difficult to plan for the future, specifically retirement. Most workers are trying to surviving today, thus planning for the future is often a luxury.
So, what can be done about it?
A new individual retirement plan called the Blue MSMEs Jua Kali Individual Retirement Benefits Scheme, otherwise known as the "Mbao Pension Plan," is trying to change how such workers plan and save for the future. This new program registered by both the Kenya Revenue Authority and the Retirement Benefits Authority aims to create affordable, flexible and convenient individual retirement saving plans for workers who do not have retirement pensions.
The Mbao Pension Plan is just one example of how different types of financial services in Kenya are become "micro." Microfinance in Kenya is continually transforming.
So, what can be done about it?
A new individual retirement plan called the Blue MSMEs Jua Kali Individual Retirement Benefits Scheme, otherwise known as the "Mbao Pension Plan," is trying to change how such workers plan and save for the future. This new program registered by both the Kenya Revenue Authority and the Retirement Benefits Authority aims to create affordable, flexible and convenient individual retirement saving plans for workers who do not have retirement pensions.
The Mbao Pension Plan is just one example of how different types of financial services in Kenya are become "micro." Microfinance in Kenya is continually transforming.
Members contribute at least 20 Kshs (about $0.20) per day, equaling 100 Kshs (about $1.00) per week or 500 Kshs (about $5.00) per month. Such a sum is already saved daily by members of merry-go-round groups whom I have met in Nairobi slums and rural communities. The membership and activation fee for the plan is 100 Kshs. No other fees are charged for individuals who remain a member for one year before withdrawing from the scheme.
Daily deposits are sent by individual members through M-PESA or AIRTEL MONEY (two mobile phone money transfer services) illuminating daily or weekly trips to the bank. I think this is the most important aspect of the program as most rural and urban informal workers own a mobile phone. Members can also track their contributions to their plan through a free statement that each receive once a year.
Daily deposits are sent by individual members through M-PESA or AIRTEL MONEY (two mobile phone money transfer services) illuminating daily or weekly trips to the bank. I think this is the most important aspect of the program as most rural and urban informal workers own a mobile phone. Members can also track their contributions to their plan through a free statement that each receive once a year.
As someone currently researching financial services offered to Kenyan low income individuals, I argue that this plan has the potential to be a great tool, especially as the Kenyan unemployment rate and the cost of living in Kenya is rising. According to the Central Bank of Kenya, the inflation rate in Kenya is 18.91% as of October 2011. The annual average inflation for October 2011 was 11.49% suggesting that inflation has risen over the year. [1]
As of now, there are unanswered questions that anyone planning for retirement should ask of their plan. These questions include: What are all of the requirements for withdrawal? Is there an early withdrawal penalty? Are taxes paid after withdrawal? Is there an age requirement for membership and withdrawal? How much interest is earned? Are penalties charged for no contribution of the required amount each month? I will post this information in the future for clarification.
Information about the plan can be found at:
http://www.rba.go.ke/component/content/article/81
http://www.rba.go.ke/component/content/article/81
[1] Central Bank of Kenya. <http://www.centralbank.go.ke/>.
The annual inflation rate is the change in the CPI in the current month relative to the index for the same month in the previous year.
The annual inflation rate is the change in the CPI in the current month relative to the index for the same month in the previous year.
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