Paragraph 1: The Plight of Nigerian Federal Pensioners
Nigerian federal retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) face persistent challenges in receiving their rightful pensions. Organizations such as the Concerned Federal Pensioners and the Association of Retired Federal Senior Public Officers of Nigeria (ARFESPON) continually advocate for their members’ rights, highlighting issues ranging from unpaid and short-paid pensions to complete exclusion from payrolls. These pensioners, many of whom are elderly and reliant on their pensions for survival, express frustration with the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), the agency responsible for managing their pensions, for its perceived inefficiencies and delays in addressing their concerns. The pensioners’ struggle for fair and timely payment underscores a broader concern about the effectiveness and responsiveness of the pension system in Nigeria.
Paragraph 2: Demand for Comprehensive Payroll Inclusion and Arrears Payment
One of the primary demands of the Concerned Federal Pensioners is the inclusion of all eligible retirees on the payroll. They argue that many qualified individuals are unjustly excluded, depriving them of their much-needed financial support. Beyond mere inclusion, the association emphasizes the prompt payment of outstanding arrears, recognizing the financial hardship that delays impose on pensioners. The payment of gratuities, lump-sum payments owed to retirees upon retirement, also features prominently among their demands. These accumulated financial obligations represent a significant source of frustration and anxiety for pensioners who rely on these funds for their well-being and future security.
Paragraph 3: Addressing Healthcare Needs and Minimum Wage Implementation
The Concerned Federal Pensioners also advocate for improvements in the Health Insurance Scheme for Pensioners, recognizing the crucial role of healthcare access for their aging population. They call for a review and strengthening of the scheme to ensure adequate and affordable healthcare services for retirees. Furthermore, they urge the government to implement the approved minimum wage increase for pensioners without further delay. The pensioners argue that this increase, though already approved, has yet to be fully realized, further contributing to their financial strain. The prompt implementation of the minimum wage increase is viewed as essential for maintaining their standard of living in the face of rising costs.
Paragraph 4: Partial Implementation of Pension Increment and Pressure for Full Payment
While PTAD commenced payment of a N32,000 pension increment approved by the Federal Government, backdated to July 2024, the pensioners express concern over the partial nature of this payment. Although PTAD initially disbursed four months of arrears, two months remain outstanding. The Concerned Federal Pensioners are urging continued pressure on PTAD to release the remaining balance, emphasizing the importance of receiving the full amount of the approved increment. This partial payment highlights the ongoing struggle between the pensioners and PTAD to ensure the full and timely implementation of promised benefits.
Paragraph 5: ARFESPON’s Concerns and Disappointment with PTAD
ARFESPON echoes the concerns of the Concerned Federal Pensioners, expressing disappointment with PTAD’s failure to place pensioners in their rightful position on the government-approved payment table. This failure translates to sustained short-changing of pensioners, particularly concerning the 20% increase approved for January 2024, which was paid in arrears in August 2024, but only to a limited number of pensioners. ARFESPON highlights this disparity as further evidence of PTAD’s inadequate performance and its failure to fulfill its obligations to pensioners. The organization emphasizes the urgency of addressing these issues, given the advanced age and vulnerability of many retirees.
Paragraph 6: Calls for Transparency and Timely Benefit Disbursement
ARFESPON questions the reasons behind the delays in payments and the partial implementation of approved increments. They call for greater transparency from PTAD regarding its financial resources and the rationale for its decisions. The association poignantly reminds PTAD that many pensioners are elderly and face increasing health challenges, emphasizing the need for timely disbursement of benefits. They argue that pensioners should receive their rightful entitlements while they are still alive to benefit from them. This plea underscores the human cost of bureaucratic delays and the urgent need for a more responsive and efficient pension system that prioritizes the welfare of its beneficiaries.
