HON. SUNDAY CHANDA, MP, TO MOVE MOTION SEEKING OPTIONAL ACCESS TO LUMP SUM RETIREMENT BENEFITS UNDER NAPSA
7th November 2025, Lusaka
Hon. Sunday Chanda, Member of Parliament for Kanchibiya Constituency, will on Wednesday 12th November 2025 move a Motion in the National Assembly calling for the introduction of Optional Access to Lump Sum Retirement Benefits under the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA).
The Motion seeks to allow eligible contributors to have a choice in how they access their retirement benefits, either through the current monthly pension or through a partial lump-sum withdrawal, accompanied by protective safeguards to secure future income streams.
“A pension is not a favour, it is a right. Workers deserve to decide how their contributions will shape their future,” Hon. Chanda said.
For decades, Zambian workers have contributed to NAPSA with the expectation that their savings will empower them to build, invest and transition into retirement with dignity. However, under the current framework, individuals have limited flexibility in accessing their accumulated contributions upon retirement.
Hon. Chanda stressed the need for reform that puts contributors at the centre of the pension system.
“For too long, workers have been told that their own money is ‘not theirs yet.’
Our Motion restores freedom of choice and trust in the Zambian worker,” he said.
KEY OBJECTIVES OF THE MOTION
The Motion calls for:
- Optional access to a lump-sum withdrawal for eligible contributors upon retirement;
- Preservation of retirement security through safeguards to prevent vulnerabilities associated with full withdrawals;
- Greater autonomy and financial dignity, allowing retirees to invest or start income-generating activities using their own contributions.
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL BENEFITS
The proposal is expected to:
- Inject capital into communities and local enterprise development,
- Support household financial resilience, and
- Promote investment, home ownership and entrepreneurship.
Hon. Chanda emphasised that the Motion is not political but grounded in economic empowerment and respect for contributors.
“This is about economic freedom and the dignity that comes with having control over one’s retirement savings. We carry the voices of millions of contributors who have worked, contributed and waited,” he said.
ENDS
For media inquiries, please contact:
Office of the Member of Parliament, Kanchibiya Constituency
+260 971885689
The move by Kanchibiya member of Parliament to propose for optional mode of payment of pension is a very good idea.The lumpsum option is too good for those with ideas of business and to grow the money while the monthly payment can help some members on their up keep to avoid destitution because of extravagance that may occur.
Those are good steps honourable Chanda.I wish I could have some contact with honourable Sunday Chanda so that we look at issues concerning retirees of that restructuring program of the civil service that was not done well, the national interest, Voluntary and Classified daily employees whose termination of employment never brought any good but misery.I know very soon we shall hear from presidential hopefuls promising to quickly pay off the remaining balances as soon as they are voted in power.These balances sound small but that is the money that can help the beneficiaries have better quality of life if those resources are put into good use.Waiting for pension money for 25 years is a very sad experience.Many of the retirees have died.They are not seen crowding at Cabinet office but I can freely say those waiting for their money are still there and are many.The high court ruled in their favor many years ago but they are not paid up to now.The Ministry of Justice and Finance must explain this delay.