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Sample letter: Peter Otieno asks Baraka Traders Ltd for a certificate of service for his NSSF claim. Sample letter: Peter Otieno asks Baraka Traders Ltd for a certificate of service for his NSSF claim.

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The letter is written. Add your dates, job and NSSF number.

Then. Hand it to your former employer and keep a signed copy.

NSSF claim — your employer letter is ready

For an age or withdrawal benefit, NSSF asks you to visit a branch with a certified copy of your retirement letter, certificate of service or termination letter, your NSSF membership card, your ID and your bank details. No certificate? Section 51 of the Employment Act says an employer shall issue one on termination, unless you worked under four consecutive weeks.

Updated: · Next check 2027-02-06

NSSF claim Opening…
NSSF claim: first page
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Take your bank details with you, so you need only one trip.

Full text of the letter

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Request for Certificate of Service

[YOUR FULL NAME]
ID number: [ID NUMBER] · NSSF member number: [NSSF NUMBER]
[POSTAL ADDRESS] · [PHONE] · [EMAIL]

[DATE]

To: [HR MANAGER OR DIRECTOR]
[EMPLOYER NAME]
[EMPLOYER ADDRESS]

Re: Certificate of service for my NSSF benefit claim

Dear Sir or Madam,

I worked for [EMPLOYER NAME] as [JOB TITLE] at [PLACE OF WORK] from [START DATE] to [LAST DAY].

I am preparing a benefit claim at NSSF. NSSF asks for a certified copy of a retirement letter, a certificate of service or a termination letter.

Under section 51 of the Employment Act, please issue my certificate of service, showing:

  • the name and postal address of the employer
  • my full name
  • the date my employment started
  • the nature and usual place of my employment
  • the date my employment ended

You can send it to [EMAIL], or I can collect it from [PLACE]. If you cannot issue it, please tell me in writing why.

Yours faithfully,

[SIGNATURE]

[YOUR FULL NAME]

Received by: ____________ Date: ____________

Deadlines

The rules, with the source

WhatDeadlineSource
Age or withdrawal benefitCertified copy of retirement letter, certificate of service or termination letter; NSSF membership card; national ID, passport or alien ID; bank details for EFTNSSF, Benefits
Invalidity benefitMembership card, ID, certified retirement letter or termination letter on medical grounds, medical report, bank details. The Fund’s doctor examines you after you submit the formNSSF, Benefits
Emigration benefitMembership card, ID or passport, certified retirement letter, certificate of service or termination letter, visa, bank details. Kenyan citizens also give a sworn affidavit declaring permanent immigration; non-citizens a travelling ticketNSSF, Benefits
Survivors benefitOriginal death certificate, deceased member’s ID copy if available, claimant’s ID, letter from County Administration confirming dependants, member’s NSSF numberNSSF, Benefits
Where to applyYour nearest NSSF office, which gives you the right application formsNSSF, Benefits
Certificate of serviceThe employer shall issue it on termination, unless employment lasted under four consecutive weeksEmployment Act, s.51

This page does not state an age for each benefit. NSSF’s own pages give different ages for different schemes, so ask your branch which rule applies to you.

Step by step

What to do, in order

  1. 1

    Check your papers

    Retirement letter, certificate of service or termination letter. You need one of them.

  2. 2

    Fill in the letter

    Only if you have none of these. Add your dates, job and NSSF number.

  3. 3

    Hand it over

    Deliver it to your former employer and ask them to sign “Received by” on your copy.

  4. 4

    Get a certified copy

    NSSF asks for a certified copy, so ask your branch who may certify it.

  5. 5

    Go to the NSSF office

    Bring your card, ID and bank details. The branch gives you the forms.

Questions

Do I need all three: retirement letter, certificate of service and termination letter?

No. NSSF’s page lists them as alternatives: one of the three is enough for age and withdrawal benefits.

My employer closed down. What now?

Bring what you have, such as payslips or your termination letter, and ask your NSSF branch what it accepts. NSSF’s page does not cover this case.

What must a certificate of service say?

Section 51 covers the employer’s name and postal address, your name, the dates, and the nature and usual place of your work. It need not comment on your character or performance.

At what age can I claim?

Ask your branch. NSSF’s pages state different ages for different schemes, so we do not give one here.

Does this letter get my benefit paid?

No. It only helps you get a paper NSSF asks for. NSSF decides your claim.

Official sources

Other documents

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This is general information and a letter template, not legal or financial advice. NSSF decides every claim.