The National Social Security Fund (NSSF), in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), has successfully concluded a project aimed at enhancing the digital management of social security records in Lebanon. This achievement marks an important step forward in the implementation of the new pension scheme introduced under Law 319/2023, which amends key provisions of the Social Security Law to provide adequate and sustainable protection during old age for individuals enrolled in the NSSF.
With funding from the UK government through the project "Supporting Social Security and Institutional Reforms Towards a Strengthened Social Protection System in Lebanon," the ILO provided technical assistance to the initiative.
A specialized data entry firm was engaged to digitize a backlog of approximately 850,000 individual records from nominative yearly declarations covering the period from 2021 to 2024. In a subsequent phase, these digital records underwent a rigorous validation process to ensure their accuracy and completeness before being integrated into the NSSF's central database.
This project plays a critical role in maintaining a reliable and up-to-date database, which is essential for evidence-based policymaking. It enables technical analysis for informed decision-making, particularly in addressing the end-of-service indemnity challenge and facilitating the smooth rollout of the new pension scheme. Importantly, it also ensures that all accrued benefits are accurately recorded, safeguarding contributors' rights and reinforcing the transparency, integrity and sustainability of Lebanon's social protection system.
© ILO
"This important achievement paves the way for conducting the necessary actuarial studies to finalize all implementing decrees required to launch the pension and social protection system by the end of 2026," said the Director General of the National Social Security Fund, Dr. Mohamed Karaki. "I also want to extend my appreciation to the International Labour Organization for its continued technical assistance to the Fund over the past years, and to the Uk government for its support in completing this project."
"This milestone reflects the strength of our partnership with the NSSF and our shared commitment to building a more resilient and inclusive social protection system in Lebanon," said ILO Regional Director for Arab States Ruba Jaradat. "Digitizing these records lays the groundwork for a transparent and sustainable pension scheme that protects the rights of all contributors. We are also grateful for the support of the United Kingdom, which has been instrumental in advancing this important work."
British Ambassador to Lebanon Hamish Cowell said: "The digitisation of Lebanon's social security records is a vital step toward building a more transparent and inclusive social protection system. We're proud to support this initiative, which strengthens institutional capacity and lays the foundation for the successful implementation of the new pension scheme."
"This partnership also reflects our ongoing commitment to support the government of Lebanon's national systems and make them stronger and more inclusive."
Looking ahead, a comprehensive digital transformation of the NSSF is envisaged, aimed at significantly enhancing the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of its services.
