Achieving income security in old age for all Tanzanians: a study into the feasibility of a universal social pension

In Tanzania, poverty rates amongst households containing an older person are 22.4 per cent higher than the national poverty rate.  In the past, security in old age was provided through a range of social protection mechanisms based on the extended family and community structures, but these traditional mechanisms are increasingly unable to cope.

Whilst a strong social protection policy framework is emerging in the form of the National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty and the 2003 Social Security Policy, and a range of provisions has been implemented, such as free access to healthcare services for poor older people, an enormous gap exists in the area of old age income security.

This report summarises the findings of an investigation into the feasibility of achieving universal access to old age income security through a social pension in Tanzania. It concludes that a social pension would  reduce old age poverty and vulnerability, but would also contribute to a wide range of national development objectives, including:

• improved child welfare, nutrition and access to education
• increased agricultural growth, micro-enterprise development and enhanced livelihoods
• stimulation of local economic growth and development
• extending access to financial services to rural communities
• promoting employment in the informal sector
• strengthening community-based support mechanisms for PLWHA and increasing access to HIV and AIDS treatment, care and support services
• increasing access to health and education services
• promoting decentralisation through local government capacity development
• promoting social cohesion and reducing social exclusion of older people and their families