The Samoa National Provident Fund (S.N.P.F.) management has confirmed a special payout to its contributors this month to coincide with the fund's 50th anniversary.

The announcement was made by the C.E.O. of the S.N.P.F. Pauli Prince Suhren through a Facebook live broadcast last Saturday. 

The payout will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the fund’s establishment on 22 March 1972, but the CEO did not reveal the date of payment or amount.

According to Pauli, the special payout will include all its contributors, even those who are unemployed or have arrears. 

“There are plans that this payout will be released sometime this month of April,” he said. “It is significant for our contributors to register for this online portal because you are able to apply for a small loan or entitlement without coming to our N.P.F. branches.

“At the moment our country is in Alert level 3, therefore all our offices are not open.”

Pauli said due to the nation's situation, especially with COVID-19 restrictions, it will be difficult for the fund’s contributors to go to their offices. This is why he said the online portal will be used when they release a special payout or a percentage of each of the contributors’ savings.

“We want a lot of contributors to use this online portal so that they can carry out their transactions for the payout on their mobile phones, laptops or tablets at the comforts of their homes.

“And it has been a week since we have utilised the online portal for our entitlement transactions.

“It is the belief of our management that our people are well protected against the COVID-19.”

The fund’s C.E.O. said some have raised concerns about the online registration process for the portal, which is why he emphasised the importance of filling out the forms.

Pauli added that there is a requirement that the document should be signed by a judge or a lawyer, plus a copy of identification papers with a photo such as passport or driver’s licence.

“The reason behind why we do this is because before the lockdown, we were able to meet in person with the contributor but now we are under restrictions, it is difficult and we cannot identify if these are the correct contributors hence why we have set up these new requirements.

“There will come a time when the virus will be erased from our shores but if someone has been able to take your money then we will end up being blamed.

“This is not to make things difficult but it is our hope that your savings are well protected to avoid any contributor taking another contributor's money.”

Pauli said if there are some contributors who do not wish to register then they will have to wait until the fund’s offices open under Alert level 2 or level 1.