Members FAQs
- 1. What is an SNPF ‘member’
- 2. How can I become a SNPF member?
- 3. What are the benefits available to an SNPF member?
- 4. What are the withdrawal options available at SNPF?
- 5. Do I need to register again if I work for a new employer or more than one employer?
- 6. Where can I get and submit the withdrawal application forms?
- 7. What options do I have when I reach the retirement age of 55 years?
- 8. What is the Education Fund and how does it work?
A member (SNPF) is any person who has registered as a member at SNPF. Those who can register include any person who is employed, engaged or called in Samoa or abroad by an employer having its office in Samoa is required under this Act to be a member and pay contributions. A person not being employed can become a member who pays voluntary contributions. eg Church Ministers, Farmers, Fishermen, children, living overseas or private business owners
A person can become a member by registering at the SNPF Main Office, level 4, SNPF Building or at any of our branches at Vaitele or Salelologa Savaii. You must bring the following when making registration:
i. a complete copy of your birth certificate; and
ii. a photo ID
i. a complete copy of your birth certificate; and
ii. a photo ID
These are some of the benefits.
i. A matching contribution of 7% paid by your employer. (employed employees only)
ii. Annual Interest credited to member’s account of not less than 4% on your contributions balance at the beginning of the Financial Year. The current average in the last 7 years is 7%.
iii. Eligible for various loan products available for members only:
1) Member Loan
2) Short Term Loan
3) Vehicle Loan
4) Land Loan
5) Housing Loan
Terms and Conditions apply
iv. Death Benefit of $5,000 in the event of Death provided you satisfy the eligibility criteria.
v. Your contributions and benefits are tax free.
vi. Your contributions and benefits are not subject to sequestration (debts outside of SNPF cannot affect your savings at SNPF).
vii. 4% Bonus added to your withdrawal balance on attaining 55 years given 15 years of contribution or death. Conditions apply.
viii. Savings accumulated over your working life for retirement.
i. A matching contribution of 7% paid by your employer. (employed employees only)
ii. Annual Interest credited to member’s account of not less than 4% on your contributions balance at the beginning of the Financial Year. The current average in the last 7 years is 7%.
iii. Eligible for various loan products available for members only:
1) Member Loan
2) Short Term Loan
3) Vehicle Loan
4) Land Loan
5) Housing Loan
Terms and Conditions apply
iv. Death Benefit of $5,000 in the event of Death provided you satisfy the eligibility criteria.
v. Your contributions and benefits are tax free.
vi. Your contributions and benefits are not subject to sequestration (debts outside of SNPF cannot affect your savings at SNPF).
vii. 4% Bonus added to your withdrawal balance on attaining 55 years given 15 years of contribution or death. Conditions apply.
viii. Savings accumulated over your working life for retirement.
Listed below are the ONLY options available for withdrawal.
i. Attain the retirement age of 55 years
ii. Being unemployed for 5 years and has reached the age of 50 years
iii. Physically and mentally incapacitated
iv. Permanent resident overseas
v. Enter Theological College or appoint as Minister within a Parish
vi. Death of a member
vii. Temporarily residing overseas for employment not less than 3 years
viii. Serious medical condition costs for member, spouse, children or parents equivalent to 20% of member’s net contributions [conditions apply].
i. Attain the retirement age of 55 years
ii. Being unemployed for 5 years and has reached the age of 50 years
iii. Physically and mentally incapacitated
iv. Permanent resident overseas
v. Enter Theological College or appoint as Minister within a Parish
vi. Death of a member
vii. Temporarily residing overseas for employment not less than 3 years
viii. Serious medical condition costs for member, spouse, children or parents equivalent to 20% of member’s net contributions [conditions apply].
No. You can just submit your NPF number to your new employer.
All withdrawals are processed at the Member Services Department, Level 4, SNPF Building. If you live in Savaii, you can apply for withdrawal at our branch at Salelologa Savaii.
The following options are available when you reach the retirement age of 55 years
1. Withdraw net contributions in full.
2. Take a pension for life. With this option, you can withdraw 25% of net contributions whilst 75% is used for your lifetime pension or you can choose to use the full 100% for the pension. This pension is calculated by taking a person’s net contributions, and amortising it over 10 years and 26 pay periods. A person can opt for this Pension upon reaching 55yrs old.
Example:
Total net contributions: $30,000
Calculating pension for life: $30,000/10 yrs/26 pay periods = $115.30 per fortnight, for life.
The advantage of this pension is that after 10 years when the member’s money has run out, NPF will continue to fund it until the member passes away. So that means that if you take the pension at 55yrs old and you live until 75 yrs old, your contributions pay for the first 10 years and once your money’s finished then NPF pays your pension for the next 10 years or until you pass away.
You are still entitled to receive the government pension at 65yrs old even if you receive the NPF Retiree pension. This means you will be receiving two pensions when you are 65yrs old.
3. If you continue to work, you can withdraw every 12 months since your last withdrawal.
1. Withdraw net contributions in full.
2. Take a pension for life. With this option, you can withdraw 25% of net contributions whilst 75% is used for your lifetime pension or you can choose to use the full 100% for the pension. This pension is calculated by taking a person’s net contributions, and amortising it over 10 years and 26 pay periods. A person can opt for this Pension upon reaching 55yrs old.
Example:
Total net contributions: $30,000
Calculating pension for life: $30,000/10 yrs/26 pay periods = $115.30 per fortnight, for life.
The advantage of this pension is that after 10 years when the member’s money has run out, NPF will continue to fund it until the member passes away. So that means that if you take the pension at 55yrs old and you live until 75 yrs old, your contributions pay for the first 10 years and once your money’s finished then NPF pays your pension for the next 10 years or until you pass away.
You are still entitled to receive the government pension at 65yrs old even if you receive the NPF Retiree pension. This means you will be receiving two pensions when you are 65yrs old.
3. If you continue to work, you can withdraw every 12 months since your last withdrawal.
NPF EDUCATION FUND
This is a savings account for your children’s tertiary education. You can contribute a minimum of $20 per week, max of $2000 per month.
Your contributions receive an annual dividend just like your normal contributions, and this helps increase your savings.
You cannot loan against this scheme, and you can only withdraw it for your child’s tertiary education.
The difference between this Education Fund and our Education Loan Scheme is that the Education Fund is a savings that you withdraw from, and the Education Loan is like any other loan that you need to make repayments for. Also, the Education Fund is for tertiary education only whereas you may obtain an Education Loan for your child’s secondary school education.
To register for this Education Fund, there is a simple form to fill out and sign.
For further information or details, please contact 64800 and ask for the Members Department. You may also email members@npf.ws.
This is a savings account for your children’s tertiary education. You can contribute a minimum of $20 per week, max of $2000 per month.
Your contributions receive an annual dividend just like your normal contributions, and this helps increase your savings.
You cannot loan against this scheme, and you can only withdraw it for your child’s tertiary education.
The difference between this Education Fund and our Education Loan Scheme is that the Education Fund is a savings that you withdraw from, and the Education Loan is like any other loan that you need to make repayments for. Also, the Education Fund is for tertiary education only whereas you may obtain an Education Loan for your child’s secondary school education.
To register for this Education Fund, there is a simple form to fill out and sign.
For further information or details, please contact 64800 and ask for the Members Department. You may also email members@npf.ws.