Nabraj Pariyar is a 48-year-old illiterate farmer from Ganeshkunja, Madi-9, Chitwan, Nepal. He lives with his son, daughter, and daughter-in-law. Throughout his life, he and his wife have dedicated themselves to working their small plot of land to sustain their family. Like many farmers in rural Nepal, Nabraj had little knowledge of financial planning or social security schemes; his primary concern was making ends meet each day. Thoughts of retirement and old-age security seemed distant, as he assumed his children would take care of him in his later years.
Despite his limited knowledge, Nabraj has been an active farmer, participating in various training programs, including one on turmeric farming. He even received 50 kg of turmeric seeds from Samari Utthan Sewa (SUS) to grow as a future business venture.
One day, SUS organized an awareness program in Madi to educate villagers about the Social Security Fund (SSF) of Nepal. The SUS team explained how the SSF works, detailing how individuals could contribute monthly and receive pensions, medical benefits, and other protections after retirement.
Initially, Nabraj was hesitant. He couldn’t read or write, and he worried about the complexities of registration and monthly payments. However, the SUS staff patiently guided him, explaining the monthly contribution of NPR 2,204, the lifelong pension available after age 60, as well as medical coverage and accidental benefits.
With the help of SUS, Nabraj’s form was filled out and submitted online through the SSF website. They took his citizenship photo, a photo of his nominee, and his bank account details for the registration process. Although Nabraj was initially nervous about the monthly deduction of NPR 2,204 from his small earnings, the NGO reassured him that this was an investment in his future. His wife and children also supported the decision, recognizing that it would alleviate their financial burden later on.
Now, every month, Nabraj’s contribution is managed by the migrant rights champions selected by the SUS team, and he receives an SMS notification, which his son reads to him. He feels relieved knowing that after he turns 60, he will receive a monthly pension, ensuring he won’t have to rely entirely on his children.
The SUS staff continues to follow up with him, ensuring he understands his rights and benefits under the SSF. Inspired by his own experience, Nabraj has even started encouraging his fellow farmers to join the scheme, sharing the knowledge he has gained.
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