NASSIT Partners with Bar Association To Launch Pension Scheme for Lawyers
The National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), in partnership with the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA), on Tuesday 29th July, 2025 convened a landmark seminar at the Freetown International Conference Centre Aberdeen to explain to legal practitioners as to the importance of joining the NASSIT pension scheme.
The session brought together key players from the legal and social security sectors to explore voluntary enrolment options for legal practitioners, particularly those in private practice, under the national pension scheme.
The seminar was chaired by Mr. Edwin Mohamed Kamara, Deputy Director General and Head of Operations at NASSIT, who described the event as “a milestone in our effort to extend coverage to all Sierra Leoneans.” He emphasized the importance of educating legal professionals about their rights and responsibilities under the scheme, noting that “social security is a human right that borders on our very existence.” Kamara commended the SLBA for its partnership and praised NASSIT’s Director General for aligning the Trust’s work with the government’s development agenda.
Sierra Leone Bar Association President Madam Tuma Adama Jabbie hailed the collaboration as a vital policy initiative aimed at ensuring financial security for lawyers during their retirement years. “Our pension scheme is not just timely, it is deeply consequential,” she said. “Too often, we’ve seen seasoned professionals retire into poverty despite years of honorable service.” Jabbie noted that creating a sustainable pension plan was a promise in her manifesto and part of a broader effort to address systemic welfare gaps within the legal profession.
Representing the Judiciary, Justice M.P. Mammie echoed these sentiments, stating, “We’ve heard of brilliant lawyers who retired with nothing to fall back on. Legal practice today is no longer a guarantee of financial comfort in old age.” He described the scheme as both optional and essential, warning that non-compliance with voluntary contributions could attract penalties, and encouraged practitioners to view the initiative as a personal investment rather than a burden.
The Director General of NASSIT, Mohamed Fuad Dabor, urged lawyers to not only register but also advocate for the scheme’s credibility and sustainability. “NASSIT is currently facing challenges, including internal fraud and public misunderstanding,” he noted. “But you, as legal professionals, can be our best defenders, both in court and in public discourse.” He also spoke candidly about Sierra Leone’s limited savings culture, reminding the audience that “saving is not our tradition. That’s why the NASSIT scheme was created to compel structured savings and provide social protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Solicitor General Robert Kowa reinforced the importance of joining the pension system. “Legal practitioners in private practice do not enjoy the automatic pension structures available to public servants,” he said. “This initiative is not just statutory, it’s about dignity, foresight, and long-term security.” He commended NASSIT’s outreach to self-employed professionals and reaffirmed the Ministry’s support for future collaborations.
Established by the National Social Security and Insurance Trust Act No. 5 of 2001, NASSIT was created to provide retirement and other social security benefits to Sierra Leonean workers. The Act mandates NASSIT to administer a contributory pension scheme that covers old age, invalidity, and survivor’s benefits. While the scheme initially focused on formal sector employees, reforms and policy initiatives in recent years have sought to expand coverage to informal sector workers and self-employed professionals, including lawyers in private practice.
Under the law, employers and employees in the formal sector are required to contribute a total of 15% of the employee’s monthly salary, 10% paid by the employer and 5% by the employee. For voluntary contributors, such as private legal practitioners, NASSIT has established a flexible contribution system where individuals can contribute a minimum monthly amount based on their declared income. These contributions must be paid before the 15th of the following month to avoid penalties, and they entitle members to the same range of benefits as regular contributors.
To register, self-employed professionals must complete a NASSIT Voluntary Contributor Registration Form, provide proof of identity, and declare their monthly income for contribution calculation. Contributions are remitted either through direct bank deposits or via mobile money channels in areas with limited banking access. Voluntary contributors are also required to update their records regularly to maintain their active status. NASSIT has simplified this process by setting up registration desks during stakeholder engagement events like the SLBA seminar.
The SLBA-NASSIT seminar not only marked a major step in expanding pension access to legal practitioners but also highlighted the need for long term planning in the legal sector. As Sierra Leone’s legal community grows, initiatives like these ensure that lawyers often at the forefront of justice are not left behind when they themselves need financial protection.
