Social Security is protection measures  provided by the society for its members, through a series of public measures against economic and social distress. These distresses might be caused by stoppages or sustainable reduction of earnings resulted from sickness, maternity , old age , death etc.

There are five mandatory social security schemes in Tanzania mainland, namely: GEPF, LAPF, NSSF, PPF,PSPF and one health insurance scheme, NHIF. All the social security schemes are regulated and supervised by SSRA.

Benefits offered by the schemes include; medical care, invalidity, maternity, education, death, old age and survivors’.

According to Section 30 of SSRA Act, every new employee has a right to choose any one of the mandatory schemes he/she prefers.