The Local Authorities Superannuation Fund (LASF) held a stakeholder engagement meeting with members of the Zambia Local Authorities’ Retirees and Pensioners (ZALARPA) at the Lusaka Civic Centre, focusing on pension reforms and compliance requirements for retirees.

The meeting brought together Lusaka-based pensioners and LASF officials, who provided updates on reforms and emphasized compliance with statutory requirements.

The interaction was led by Acting Contributions and Benefits Manager Kalwa Chimese who was assisted by  Customer Service Officer Chilembo Chilinda .

During the interaction, Mrs. Chimese echoed the call for accuracy and vigilance, particularly regarding bank details. She encouraged pensioners to keep their accounts active to avoid bounced transactions once payments are made. “We want to ensure that when funds are released, they reach you without delay. Dormant accounts create unnecessary setbacks,” she cautioned.

She also commended Government for its continued support through capitalization of the scheme, which has enabled the Fund to meet its obligations to retirees. “Government capitalization has been critical in sustaining payments. It is this support that allows us to serve pensioners consistently,” She noted.

And Mr. Chilinda highlighted the progress which LASF had made in the quest to reform the pension landscape, noting that extensive consultations with stakeholders had already been completed with valuable contributions being received.

He said the pension reforms were being conducted in a three horse approach where LASF was working alongside Public Service Pension Scheme (PSPF) and NAPSA.

He further explained that further stages would follow, which were expected to facilitate the modernization of pension administration and improve benefits for retirees.

“We have engaged widely, and the process is moving forward,” he said.

He further appealed to pensioners to ensure timely submission of Life Certificates and Widows Affirmation Forms, stressing that these documents are mandatory under the LASF Act. “Without these forms, payments cannot be processed. We urge all members to comply so that no one is left out,” Mr. Chilembo added.

In his closing remarks, the ZALARPA president Mathews Nyakalale expressed gratitude to Government for championing pension reforms and providing relief to retirees. He also praised LASF for its dedication and responsiveness. “We appreciate Government’s commitment to pensioners and commend LASF for standing with us. Your efforts bring dignity and hope to our members,” he said.

The meeting underscored the importance of continuous dialogue between pensioners, LASF, and Government, ensuring that reforms are not only enacted but also understood and embraced by those they are meant to serve.