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What is SSF?
Nepal's Social Security Fund — the complete explainer for employees, employers, and newcomers
In one sentence: SSF (सामाजिक सुरक्षा कोष) is Nepal's mandatory, government-managed social protection system that deducts 31% of your basic salary each month to provide you with medical coverage, accident insurance, family protection, and a retirement pension.
[Source: Contribution Based Social Security Act 2074 · ssf.gov.np]
Full Name & Meaning
In English
SSF = Social Security Fund
A contribution-based social protection scheme established by the Contribution Based Social Security Act 2074 (2017). The SSF Board, under the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS), manages the fund with a tripartite governance model (government + employers + workers).
A contribution-based social protection scheme established by the Contribution Based Social Security Act 2074 (2017). The SSF Board, under the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security (MoLESS), manages the fund with a tripartite governance model (government + employers + workers).
In Nepali
SSF = सामाजिक सुरक्षा कोष
"सामाजिक" = social · "सुरक्षा" = security/protection · "कोष" = fund/treasury
Governed by: सामाजिक सुरक्षा कोष बोर्ड (SSF Board) under श्रम, रोजगार तथा सामाजिक सुरक्षा मन्त्रालय (MoLESS)
"सामाजिक" = social · "सुरक्षा" = security/protection · "कोष" = fund/treasury
Governed by: सामाजिक सुरक्षा कोष बोर्ड (SSF Board) under श्रम, रोजगार तथा सामाजिक सुरक्षा मन्त्रालय (MoLESS)
How SSF Works — The Basic Mechanism
1
You Earn a Salary
Your employer sets your basic salary (must be at least 60% of gross salary under Labour Regulations Rule 66). SSF applies only to basic salary — not to allowances or bonuses.
2
11% Deducted from Your Pay
Your employer deducts 11% of your basic salary from your paycheck each month. This is YOUR contribution. It is already within your gross salary.
3
Employer Adds 20% on Top
Your employer adds an additional 20% of your basic salary from their own funds. This is a BENEFIT to you — extra money you never had to earn directly.
4
Total 31% Deposited to SSF
The combined 31% is deposited to the Social Security Fund Board within 25 days of each Nepali month-end. Payment can be made via ConnectIPS, Nepal Bank Ltd, eSewa, Khalti, or FonePay.
5
Money Allocated Across 4 Schemes
Your 31% is split: Medical 1.0%, Accident 1.4%, Dependent Family 0.27%, Pension/Retirement 28.33%. Each scheme has its own benefit rules and waiting periods.
6
You Claim When You Need It
When you need medical treatment, have an accident, your family needs support, or you retire — you access SSF benefits by claiming through the portal or an empanelled hospital.
Example: NPR 60,000 basic salary
Employee deduction: NPR 6,600 (11%) · Employer adds: NPR 12,000 (20%) · Total to SSF: NPR 18,600/month
Use the calculator to compute your specific amounts →
Employee deduction: NPR 6,600 (11%) · Employer adds: NPR 12,000 (20%) · Total to SSF: NPR 18,600/month
Use the calculator to compute your specific amounts →
The 4 SSF Schemes — What You Get
🏥
Scheme 1 — Medical, Health & Maternity (1.0%)
OPD: Up to NPR 25,000/year after 3 months
IPD: Up to NPR 1,00,000/year after 3 months
Maternity: 98-day leave + newborn lump sum after 12 months
Co-payment: 20% by you, 80% by SSF
Post-employment: Coverage continues 24 months after leaving
Full medical guide →
IPD: Up to NPR 1,00,000/year after 3 months
Maternity: 98-day leave + newborn lump sum after 12 months
Co-payment: 20% by you, 80% by SSF
Post-employment: Coverage continues 24 months after leaving
🦺
Scheme 2 — Accident & Disability (1.4%)
Waiting period: Day 1 — no wait
Workplace accident: 100% at empanelled hospital
Non-workplace: Up to NPR 7,00,000
Temp disability: 60% basic salary/month
Permanent disability: Lifetime pension
Full accident guide →
Workplace accident: 100% at empanelled hospital
Non-workplace: Up to NPR 7,00,000
Temp disability: 60% basic salary/month
Permanent disability: Lifetime pension
👨👩👧
Scheme 3 — Dependent Family (0.27%)
Work accident death: Day 1 coverage
Other deaths: After 12 months
Spouse: 60% of basic salary, lifetime
Children: 40% each, max 2, until age 18
Funeral grant: NPR 25,000 always
Full dependent guide →
Other deaths: After 12 months
Spouse: 60% of basic salary, lifetime
Children: 40% each, max 2, until age 18
Funeral grant: NPR 25,000 always
🎯
Scheme 4 — Old Age Pension & Retirement (28.33%)
Pension eligibility: Age 60 + minimum 180 months
Retirement Fund: Withdraw any age on job termination
Loan available: 80% of fund after 36 months
Inflation review: Every 3 years
Formula: Unverified — contact ssf.gov.np
Full pension guide →
Retirement Fund: Withdraw any age on job termination
Loan available: 80% of fund after 36 months
Inflation review: Every 3 years
Formula: Unverified — contact ssf.gov.np
Who is Covered?
Must Enroll (Mandatory)
- Employees of private companies (all sizes)
- NGO and INGO employees
- Bank and financial institution employees
- Cooperative employees
- Foreign nationals working in Nepal with work permits
- New government employees hired from FY 2082/83
- Contract workers and project-based employees
Exempt from Mandatory SSF
- Nepal Army personnel
- Nepal Police officers
- Armed Police Force members
- Civil servants under the pre-2082/83 government pension scheme
No minimum company size. Even a company with 1 employee must register with SSF. There is no exception based on the number of employees.
[Source: Social Security Act 2074, Section 7]
Brief History of SSF Nepal
2011
SSF Established
Social Security Fund Act 2067 created the fund. Initially voluntary — very few enrolled.
2017
Contribution Based Social Security Act 2074
Main legislation passed. 4-scheme structure defined. Mandatory enrollment framework established. Contribution rates set at 31%.
2018
Operating Procedure 2075 — Benefit Rules
Detailed benefit limits, waiting periods, and claim processes established. Nepal Gazette published enrollment mandate.
22 May 2019
Mandatory Contributions Begin
Private sector employers required to register and deposit contributions. Enforcement began. SSF portal (employer.ssf.gov.np) launched.
2023
Informal Sector Scheme
Voluntary scheme for freelancers, self-employed, and informal workers launched at selfcontributor.ssf.gov.np. Rate: 9.37% + 9.37% government match.
July 2025
Key Amendment — Nepal Gazette 2082/04/14
Two major changes: (1) deposit deadline extended from 15 to 25 days after month-end; (2) Section 9(6) added — employer personally liable for full SSF-equivalent benefit if contributions undeposited during a work accident.
FY 2082/83
Salary Ceiling Raised + New Government Employees
Ceiling raised NPR 3,00,000 → NPR 3,50,000/month. New government employees enrolled in SSF (replacing old pension scheme for new hires).
Who Manages SSF?
🏛️
SSF Board
13-member tripartite board chaired by the Secretary of MoLESS. Includes government, employer, and trade union representatives. Sets policy and oversees the fund.
📋
MoLESS
Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security. The supervising ministry. Also handles Labour Act enforcement through District Labour Offices nationwide.
💻
Operational Team
Day-to-day operations: registration, claims processing, contribution tracking, portal management. Contact: Naxal, Bhagwati Marg, Kathmandu · info@ssf.gov.np
Tripartite Governance means SSF policy is decided with input from all three stakeholders: government, employers, and workers' representatives (trade unions). This structure follows ILO (International Labour Organization) conventions on social protection governance.
[Source: Social Security Act 2074 · ssf.gov.np]
SSF vs the Old EPF System
SSF replaces EPF (Employees' Provident Fund) for new employees. If you started work after 22 May 2019, you are in SSF — not EPF. If you had EPF before SSF, your old balance stays at CIT (Citizens Investment Trust); new contributions go to SSF.
| Feature | SSF | Old EPF |
|---|---|---|
| Employee contribution | 11% | 10% |
| Employer contribution | 20% | 10% |
| Total | 31% | 20% |
| Medical coverage | Yes (OPD + IPD) | No |
| Accident insurance | Yes (Day 1) | No |
| Family protection | Yes (60% spouse, 40%/child) | No |
| Old age pension | Yes (monthly from age 60) | No |
| Managed by | SSF Board / MoLESS | CIT |
What Do You Want to Do Next?
👷
I'm an Employee
Learn your full SSF rights, how to check your balance, and what to do if your employer isn't depositing.
Employee Guide →
🏢
I'm an Employer
Registration steps, deposit timeline, penalty avoidance, and the compliance self-audit checklist.
Employer Guide →
🧮
Calculate My SSF
Enter your gross salary and see exactly how much you and your employer contribute each month.
Open Calculator →
🛡️
Explore My Benefits
Detailed breakdown of all 4 schemes — medical limits, accident coverage, pension rules.
Benefits Guide →
❓
Read the FAQ
25 most common questions answered with official source citations.
FAQ →
🎯
Test My Knowledge
5 quizzes, 6 scenarios, checklist — gamified learning hub to make sure you know your SSF rights.
Learning Hub →