Business owners encouraged to also save with VNPF
September 16, 2026 10:40 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
By Anita Roberts.
Business owners or employers are encouraged to consider making voluntary contributions to their own retirement savings while continuing to meet their obligations for their workers.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Vanuatu National Provident Fund (VNPF), Richard Edwin, said business owners can rely on the savings built up with VNPF when they are no longer strong enough to run their businesses.
He assured business owners who were previously employees that their VNPF accounts remain safe and that their savings continue to grow.
“To Ni-Vanuatu business owners, at one time you were employees and members of VNPF. Maybe you have not made any contributions to your accounts for 10 to 20 years, but your savings are still safe and continue to grow,” he said.
“Unlike banks, where fees may be deducted from your accounts, your VNPF savings continue to benefit from the Fund’s return.”
It is not only about saving for themselves, but also about encouraging their children to start saving early and build a secure financial future.
Under the VNPF Act, self-employed workers and employers do not have to join VNPF, but they can choose to join and save as voluntary members. It is only compulsory for businesses to make monthly contributions for workers who earn at least VT3,000 per month.
A recent legislative change allows students aged 10 and over to register as voluntary members to start building their long-term savings with a minimum contribution of VT1,000.
Deputy CEO Edwin stressed that only around 2,000 businesses, from small to large, are making monthly contributions, while more than that are not contributing despite being registered.
He said VNPF collects between VT400 million and VT500 million in monthly contributions.
Employers can face consequences if they fail to pay the required contributions on behalf of their employees. Some employers who failed to comply have been taken to court. VNPF now has more than 100,000 active members nationwide, according to the Deputy CEO.
