President Buhari approves payment of outstanding pension liabilities under the Contributory Pension Scheme
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved PenCom’s submission on the payment of some critical aspects of the outstanding pension liabilities of the Federal Government under the Contributory Pension Scheme.
This was contained in a statement by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) to all its stakeholders, particularly retirees of Treasury-funded Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Specifically, the President approved the payment of outstanding accrued pension rights for verified and enrolled retirees of treasury-funded MDAs that retired but are yet to be paid their retirement benefits, as well as the back-log of death benefits claims due to beneficiaries of deceased employees of treasury funded (Ministries, Departments and Agencies) MDAs
The approval also covers payment of 2.5% differential in the rate of employer pension contribution for Federal Government of Nigeria retirees and employees which resulted from the increase in the minimum pension contribution for employers from 7.5% to 10%. This is in line with Section 4(1) of the PRA 2014.
Payments for retirees and existing employees would take effect from July 2014.
By this development, the Federal Government is expected to continue with the payment of the 10% rate of employer pension contribution for its employees, thus ensuring a remittance of at least 18% monthly (employer 10% and employee 8%) as provided by the PRA 2014. 3.
According to a statement by PenCom, funds have already been made available for the settlement of the above stated pension liabilities, adding that “remittance into the various Retirement Savings Accounts (RSAs) of the affected retirees and employees is currently being processed.
“The affected retirees and employees would be notified in due course by their respective Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).
“The settlement of the outstanding accrued pension rights of verified and enrolled FGN retirees and compliance with the reviewed rate of pension contributions are significant developments, that have resolved the challenges in these aspects that have lingered since 2014, it further stated.
The Board and Management of the Commission reiterated their appreciation to Mr. President for “his untiring support and commitment to the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme and ensuring welfare of retirees.”
