Pension

Accrued rights: FG retirees share harrowing experiences over 18 months unpaid pension benefits

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Chuks Udo Okonta

Federal Government workers that retired since March 2023 have continued to lament over their inability to access monthly pension benefits due to non-payment of their accrued rights.

While they were awaiting to hear the payment, the National Pension Commission (PenCom) this week said the payment would be made very soon. A development that had led them asking how soon is the very soon.

Some of them went to the comment section of the report on PenCom’s assurance on the payment that was published by Inspenonline to expressed their misgivings.

Dr. Musa Awalu, one of the affected retirees said: “When is the federal government going to release money for our accrued right. We are dying, our children are suffering. No monthly pension because of accrued right payment. Change this policy which is not helping federal retirees.”

Oladosu Adebayo, said: “I will implore the federal government and PenCom management in charge to please, work on this as soon as possible, because most of the 2023 April to date are in trouble. No money to sustain their life.

Olagunju Matthew, said: “This is a commendable development and hope-raising. The prevalent upsurge in the economy and the resultant exponential rise in living expenses are sufficient reasons for timely release of retirement benefits if the retirees would survive.
Kudos to PenCom leadership.

Taiwo Umolu, said: “I hope this is real. It is 11 years I retired under CPS and I am still wondering the type of human beings we have in Nigeria. No human feeling for elderly people to the extent that some of us died without getting their dues. We are waiting to see if President Tinubu will stop this wickedness. If he does, he will prove to us why he is Jagaban.”

Ihunze Ignatius, said: “The idea for the PenCom administration has been defeated. I retired since march 2023 till now I have not got my money. I have children in the university to take care of, even to eat and medical bills, utility bills are burden on me. Still government don’t want to release the funds. Is a big shame.”

Ezekiel iyabo oluremi, said “It’s a great thing to hear that, because I am one of beneficiary since last year 2023.”

Olowe Olugbenga Ebenezer, said: “Good morning sir, I didn’t know why my benefits have not been paid. I retired 9th Nov 2022 and most of my coworkers that retired January 2023 have been paid.
My pension administrator is TRUST FUND. Please help me.”

Mohammed Alli, said: “Those retirees on CPS are not treated well by the Federal government as many of us are dying untimely because of the peanuts the federal government is paying them therefore urgent attention is needed to pay all the new benefits due to us in time to save our souls. Thanks and God bless.”

Okoro Stephen, said: “Concerning the Pension liabilities, increment and consequential adjustment of Pension as a result of 2019 and 2024 minimum wage increase and the 20 per cent increase on pensions, how soon should we we be expecting payment.”

Boyiga gargea Nuga, said: “What of the payment of deceased benefit ? I applied for the payment of deceased benefit as next of kin from Stanbic IBTC Pension Desk at jalingo Taraba State for about two years ago without any development, in August this year,2024, I visited Stanbic IBTC Pension Desk at jalingo ,Taraba State , I was informed that they are yet to receive e-mails or reconcile with PenCom office. Please what is happening?”

Francis Aderinola said: “I’m a believer in the concept of saying NO to corruption in government service.
I thank God our set of retirees who retired from federal government since March till September 2023 are yet to collect any gratuity and pensions.
This betrayal of trust is just unbelievable.

“Many families of these retirees are almost regretting daily,due to the economic, psychological and emotional trauma they found themselves.

“I pray all the honourable stakeholders including our Excellency, The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria kindly show kindness to this aged , but once vibrant compatriots before they all die one by one without eating any part of the fruit of their Labour sir.
Thanks for your understanding.”

The Acting Director-General of PenCom Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, has said concerted efforts by critical stakeholders have reached advanced stage, to not only clear all outstanding pension liabilities of the Federal Government under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), but to also put in place lasting solutions that would address the problems of inadequate funding and delay in fund releases for the payment of accrued rights.

She submitted that although the current delay in release of funds by the Federal Government for the payment of retirees’ accrued rights negates the cardinal objective of the CPS of payment of retirement benefits as and when due, the situation would soon be resolved.

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