Updated 20 October 2026 (4 Kartik 2083). Checked against the Contribution-based Social Security Act 2074 (as amended in 2082), SSF’s Foreign Sector Social Security Scheme Operation Procedure 2079 (with first amendment), SSF’s notice of 2083/05/26 on concessions for workers abroad, SSF’s contact page, and the minimum wage notice effective 17 July 2025.
Whether you work in Qatar, Malaysia, the UAE or Korea, one monthly figure decides your protection back home: the Social Security Fund (SSF) foreign employment contribution. At today’s minimum it works out to about Rs 2,596 a month. This guide shows where that number comes from, what it pays for, why some workers pay up to three times more, and how to keep payments going from abroad. If you are new to the scheme, start with our complete foreign employment SSF guide.
Where the figure comes from
Section 6(1) of SSF’s foreign employment procedure says a worker abroad, or a Nepali self-employed abroad, must contribute at least 21.33% of the minimum basic remuneration that the government sets for industrial-sector workers.
| Piece | Value |
|---|---|
| Base: minimum basic remuneration | Rs 12,170 a month (minimum wage notice effective 17 July 2025; total minimum wage Rs 19,550) |
| Rate | At least 21.33% of the base |
| Minimum monthly contribution | Rs 2,595.86, about Rs 2,596 (our calculation) |
| Maximum base | Up to 3 times the minimum basic, Rs 36,510 |
| Contribution at the maximum base | Rs 7,787.58 a month (our calculation) |
We found no new minimum wage notice for 2083/84 as of 20 October 2026, so these figures still apply. When the minimum wage is revised, the contribution changes with it.
Where your 21.33% goes
| Component | Share of base | Amount at the minimum (our calculation) | What it pays for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protection schemes | 7.48% | Rs 910.32 | Medical, health and maternity, accident and disability, and dependent-family cover |
| Old-age scheme | 13.85% | Rs 1,685.55 | Your pension or lump sum |
What it buys: the benefits in the procedure
| Benefit | What the foreign employment procedure provides |
|---|---|
| Family medical care in Nepal | Up to Rs 25,000 a year for outpatient treatment and up to Rs 1 lakh for hospital admission, for the spouse and children up to 18 in the same household; you pay 20% of each bill |
| Child care | One month of minimum basic remuneration for each child born |
| Accident treatment | Up to Rs 7 lakh when admitted to a hospital in Nepal |
| Temporary total disability | 60% of minimum basic remuneration each month until you can return to work |
| Permanent disability | A monthly payment for life in proportion to the degree of disability |
| Death of the contributor | Spouse pension at 40% of minimum basic remuneration, education allowance for children, support for dependent parents where there is no spouse or child, and Rs 25,000 for funeral costs |
| Old age | From 60, the pension account plus returns divided by 160 each month for life, or a lump sum if you choose |
The medical cover for your family is the part many households overlook. It applies while you are still working abroad.
Waiting periods
Section 7 sets minimum contribution records before a claim:
- Medical and accident benefits: at least 3 months of contributions in the 6 months before the event.
- Spouse pension and children’s education allowance: at least 9 months in the previous 12 months.
- Funeral costs: at least 1 month in the previous 6 months.
A gap of a few months can therefore leave your family without cover exactly when it is needed.
Paying more than the minimum
Section 6(2) lets you contribute on up to three times the minimum basic. More money in means a bigger old-age balance. Under section 7(3), you can then take that balance as a lump sum or as a monthly pension worked out by dividing it by 160. Section 17 also provides a retirement savings account for extra deposits, paid as a lump sum once your foreign employment ends, or moved into the pension account if you ask.
Concessions for workers abroad
Section 22 of the procedure offers three concessions, decided by the SSF board:
- Paying in advance: a discount of up to 10% for paying more than six months ahead.
- No claims for three years: up to 20% of protection-scheme deposits moved into your old-age account.
- Remitting through banks: a discount of up to 20% on the non-old-age part of your contribution if you show that at least 70% of your annual income, after living costs, came to Nepal through banking channels. This must be claimed within a year of your labour permit ending.
On 2083/05/26 (11 September 2026), SSF invited applications for the second and third concessions, asking applicants to email collection@ssf.gov.np within 15 days with their labour permit, visa, proof of contributions for 2082/83 and their SSF number. That window has closed. Watch ssf.gov.np for the next round.
How to enrol and pay from abroad
- Prepare documents. Section 3(3) lists a copy of your citizenship or passport, a copy of your labour permit (श्रम स्वीकृति), the destination country, employer and address, and a contact person in Nepal. If you work in a country where no labour permit is required, a self-declaration in the prescribed format and your appointment letter are enough (labour permit checklist).
- Apply online. Use SSF’s online system or an SSF office. According to Kantipur (November 2025), the government has made SSF participation mandatory for workers going abroad for employment, so many workers are enrolled during their departure process.
- Get your SSF number and complete KYC. Add a nominee and a Nepali bank account, because benefits are paid only into a bank account in Nepal (KYC and nominee guide).
- Pay every month. Use the payment options in your SSF account and set a monthly reminder. A family member in Nepal can help track payments.
- Check your statement. Make sure each month is posted.
SSF lists a dedicated email for workers abroad, migrantworker@ssf.gov.np, along with its hotline 1116.
Coming home
Section 29 lets you continue the same scheme after you return. If you take a formal job in Nepal, SSF can convert your participation into the formal scheme, and if you start working in the informal sector or for yourself, it can move you to that scheme (self-employed scheme). Your SSF number stays the same.
Need help with SSF registration, KYC or claims?
Digital Solution helps with SSF registration, KYC updates, contribution records and claim documents, online and step by step. SSF सम्बन्धी काममा सहयोग चाहिए सम्पर्क गर्नुहोस्।
Frequently asked questions
How much is the SSF contribution for foreign employment?
At least 21.33% of the minimum basic remuneration for industrial workers. At the current Rs 12,170 base that is about Rs 2,596 a month, and you can contribute on up to three times the base.
Does my family really get medical cover while I am abroad?
Yes. Your spouse and children up to 18 in the same household can claim up to Rs 25,000 a year for outpatient care and up to Rs 1 lakh for hospital admission in Nepal, paying 20% of each bill, once you have 3 months of contributions in the last 6.
Can I take my old-age money as a lump sum?
Section 7(3) of the procedure lets you choose between a lump sum of your pension account plus returns or a monthly pension equal to that amount divided by 160.
What if I miss some months?
Benefits depend on recent contributions: 3 of the last 6 months for medical and accident cover, 9 of the last 12 for family pension. Resume as soon as possible and keep proof of every payment.
Is the contribution going to change?
It is tied to the minimum basic remuneration. When the government revises the minimum wage, the rupee amount changes. As of 20 October 2026 the base is still Rs 12,170.
Conclusion
About Rs 2,596 a month buys medical cover for your family in Nepal, accident and disability protection, support for your dependants if you die, and old-age savings that become a pension or a lump sum. Pay every month, complete KYC with a Nepali bank account, and consider a higher base if you can afford it.
Sources
- Social Security Fund, Foreign Sector Social Security Scheme Operation Procedure 2079 with first amendment: https://ssf.gov.np/list/act_regulation/foreign-sector-social-security-scheme-operation-procedure-with-first-amendment-2079
- Social Security Fund, Contribution-based Social Security Act 2074 (as amended in 2082): https://ssf.gov.np/list/act_regulation/contribution-based-social-security-act-2074
- Social Security Fund, Notice inviting applications for concessions for workers abroad (2083/05/26): https://ssf.gov.np/list/Information/vathashaka-kashhatarama-karayarata-vayakatal-chhata-savathhaka-lga-navathana-pasha-garana-samabnathha-sacana
- Social Security Fund, Contact details (accessed 20 October 2026): https://ssf.gov.np/contact
- Pradhan & Associates, Minimum Remuneration Notice 2082 (24 July 2025): https://pradhanlaw.com/publications/minimum-remuneration-notice-2082-2025-ad
- The Himalayan Times, Govt hikes workers’ minimum wage to Rs 19,550 per month (18 July 2025): https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/govt-hikes-workers-minimum-wage-to-rs-19550-per-month
- Kantipur, SSF contributions near Rs 1 kharba (24 November 2025): https://ekantipur.com/business/2025/11/24/contributions-to-the-social-security-fund-have-reached-1-trillion-44-22.html
Digital Solution Pvt. Ltd. is an independent publisher and is not affiliated with the Social Security Fund; confirm your contribution amount and benefits with SSF (ssf.gov.np, migrantworker@ssf.gov.np, hotline 1116).
Rabin Paudel
Rabin Paudel is the Founder of Digital Solution, a Content Creator, and an AI Trainer. He shares practical and easy-to-understand content on Artificial Intelligence, Digital Literacy, Online Services, FinTech, and Technology. His mission is to make technology simple, accessible, and useful for everyone.
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