GovPay to link Zimbabwe govt payroll and pension systems

The Public Service Commission (PSC) says the Government's GovPay system is being developed to integrate salary and pension administration, with electronic payslips now fully operational.

PSC Manager Payroll Management Mildred Mutandaro said the system was designed to improve public servants' access to employment-related information and streamline payroll and pension administration.

She was speaking in Chipinge during an engagement meeting with civil servants held ahead of the 2026 Retirement Conference, which will be held in Mutare from Wednesday to Friday.

Mutandaro said GovPay had two key outputs — electronic payslips and an integrated payroll and pensions ecosystem.

"Government created the GovPay system, a system which links the SSB and pensions system. It has two outputs, which are e-payslips, which are 100 percent complete now, and a payroll and pensions ecosystem, but that one is yet to be completed," she said.

The development is part of Government's efforts to strengthen salary and pension administration and improve the way civil servants access information relating to their employment.

The Chipinge meeting also focused on preparing public servants for retirement, with PSC Retirement Planning Officer Everjoice Shoshore urging workers to start planning well before they leave Government employment.

Shoshore said retirement was inevitable and should be treated as an important stage of life requiring early preparation.

"Retirement is certain and it needs planning. Civil servants should not wait until they are about to retire before they start thinking about what they are going to do after employment," she said.

She said some retired civil servants struggled financially because they had not adequately prepared for life after employment or established alternative sources of income while they were still working.

"Government has noted that some civil servants are struggling to enjoy their retirement because they did not adequately prepare for life after employment. This is why we are encouraging you to start planning now and to think about what you will do when you are no longer receiving your salary," she said.

Shoshore encouraged civil servants to use their productive years to establish income-generating projects and make investments that could continue supporting them after retirement.

She cited goat rearing, fish farming and poultry production as examples of activities workers could start while still employed.

She also urged civil servants to prioritise home ownership and ensure their properties were properly documented.

"Make sure that you have a home and that your property is properly documented. Acquire title deeds for your property because that is an important part of securing your future. Do not wait until retirement to start thinking about these things," she said.

Shoshore further encouraged workers to insure their investments and continue acquiring skills that could help them remain productive after retirement.

"Insure your investments. Acquire more skills to use when retired. Retirement planning starts now. The skills that you acquire today can become useful when you retire, particularly if you want to venture into a different area of work or business," she said.

She also emphasised the importance of maintaining good health, saying retirement planning should extend beyond financial preparation.

"Retirement planning is not only about money. You must also look after your health while you are still working. Go for regular medical check-ups, eat a balanced diet and exercise. You want to reach retirement age healthy enough to enjoy the fruits of your years of service," she said.

Chipinge District Development Coordinator William Mashava said the engagement provided an opportunity to recognise the contribution of civil servants while encouraging them to prepare for the next stage of their lives.

"Retirement is not the end of contribution to the nation. It is the beginning of a new chapter. After serving the country for many years, a retired public servant can still make a meaningful contribution to the community using the experience and skills acquired during their working life," he said.

Mashava urged civil servants to view retirement as a transition requiring preparation rather than something to be feared.

"This engagement gives us an opportunity to appreciate the work that public servants have done and, at the same time, to encourage those who are still in employment to prepare for their future. Retirement should be approached with confidence because proper planning can make the transition easier," he said.

The Chipinge engagement forms part of preparations for the 2026 Retirement Conference, which will be held in Mutare from Wednesday to Friday.