National Social Security Strategy Selection ‘errors’ are a major obstacle in the effectiveness of social security programmes Two elderly women wait in a queue to collect the state’s allowance for the elderly in Charghat upazila of Rajshahi. Photo: Anisur Rahman/ Star It is now well-recognised at national and international levels that a comprehensive social security system is imperative for addressing the problems and challenges of poverty and marginalisation. The commitment of the Government of Bangladesh to reducing poverty, improving human development, and diminishing inequality is clearly expressed through its National Social Security Strategy (NSSS). The vision of a poverty-free Bangladesh is reflected in the Perspective Plan of Bangladesh 2010-2021 and the Seventh Five Year Plan 2015-20. Nevertheless, over the decades, it has become evident that due to the weaknesses in implementation of social security programmes (SSPs), the targeted people are deprived of the expected impact on their lives.