The Social Security Fund was established in March 1979 as an universal Social Scheme which is part of the Government‘s social objective to provide a safety net, through a series of measures, against the economic distress that otherwise would be caused by the stoppage or substantial reduction in earnings resulting from sickness, maternity, injury, employment invalidity old age and death.

The Fund was previously a division under the Ministry of Health and Social Services until June 1989 when it became the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance.

The Social Security Act, 1987 is the current legislative framework by which the Social Security Fund is administered.

Current Functions of the Fund

• Payment of benefits and other approved payment as follows 
  - Retirement Pension, Invalidity Benefit, Funeral Benefit, Orphans Abandoned Child Benefit, Injury disablement and partial disablement benefit, Survivors benefit, sickness and maternity benefit and Widows pension
• Management of the Fund’s fixed asset including Ocean Gate House, Orion Mall offices, Le Chantier Building and Praslin /La Digue Offices
• Disbursement of funds defined under approved payment (for example Specialized Treatment Fund)
• Payment of cash allowances in respect of Unemployment Relief Scheme, Home Carer Scheme, Youth Training Scheme 
• Management of various government specialized funds