SNPF Pays Contributors $43m in Back-to-School Dividend

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 24 January 2025 – The Samoa National Provident Fund is paying its 30,000 plus contributors a 4% back-to-school dividend costing the fund $43million tala.

The dividend was announced by the Minister of Finance, Lautimuia Uelese Vaai yesterday and will be paid into the contributors accounts next Monday.

He said under the SNPF Act, there is no obligation for SNPF to pay out such dividends, however, the Government sees a need to assist the implementation of one of its core obligations in its manifesto – to encourage and support education for all.

The dividend is timely with the resumption of the school year and the assistance will cover those in pre-schools, Primary and Secondary schools.

The tertiary level is covered by the District Councils through the $1 Million District Development Project.

The Back-to-school dividend last year was 2.4%.

SNPF Chief Executive Officer, Lemalu Selesetina Reti said they will start releasing payments next Monday for 3 months and she encourages contributors to use the SNPF portal to fill the forms.

She also clarified that if a contributor does not wish to use his/her 4% dividend, then it is automatically added to their regular contributions.