Pension
For a full old-age pension, a worker must be 60 years old (with the exceptions of the military and officers) with at least 180 months (15 years) of contributions. The old-age pension for the first 15 years is 30% of a worker’s average monthly earnings. The pension increases by 2% of average monthly earnings for each 12 months of coverage exceeding 180 months. The maximum pension is 80% of the insured worker’s average monthly earnings, and the minimum amount is 60% of the national minimum wage.
Both employees and employers contribute to the National Social Security Institute.
Old Age Allowance is a lump-sum benefit available to insured workers who meet the retirement age but have fewer than 180 months of insurance and at least 12 months of contributions.
Dependents/Survivors Benefits
In Burundi, dependents of the deceased are entitled to a survivors benefit provided the deceased received or was entitled to receive an old-age or disability pension or had at least 180 months of coverage at the time of death.
The deceased person's widow, widower, unmarried children under age 18 (age 21 if a student or apprentice, and no limit if disabled), and dependent parents and grandparents (if there is no surviving spouse or children) are eligible for the benefit.
The benefit is paid as 50% of the deceased person's pension to a widow/widower (ceases upon remarriage). 25% of the deceased worker's pension is paid to each orphan, and 40% to each full orphan. Total survivors benefits cannot exceed 100% of a deceased worker's pension.
Invalidity Benefits
In case of disability persisting longer than 3 months, caused by an illness or accident of non-professional origin, insured persons become eligible to receive a disability pension if they are under the retirement age, have suffered a permanent reduction of 66% in earning capacity, and have at least three years of insurance coverage.
The pension is calculated as 30% of a worker's average monthly earnings for the first 15 years of coverage, increased by 2% of average monthly earnings for each 12-month period of coverage exceeding 180 months. The maximum pension is 80% of the insured worker's average monthly earnings, and the minimum amount is 60% of the national minimum wage.
There is a separate scheme for disability due to work accidents or diseases covered by employers. It covers costs for medical treatment and allowances, depending on the type and degree of disability.