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Tag: Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD)

  • PTAD clears air on pension increase implementation

    PTAD clears air on pension increase implementation

    The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has clarified the 20 per cent and 28 per cent increases for last year.

    The implementation followed a circular titled: (SWC/S/04/S.557/T/171) from the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) dated July 8, last year.

    The Directorate explained that the changes in pensioners’ monthly pensions were as a result of the reimplementation of the Consequential Pension Adjustment (CPA), in accordance with directives from NSIWC last July.

    Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya explained that in May 2021, PTAD had implemented the approved Consequential Pension Adjustment (CPA), following the increase in the National Minimum Wage of April 2019, based on a circular (SWC/S/04/S.542/II/298) from NSIWC dated April 28, 2021.

    She stated that upon receiving the circular, PTAD promptly implemented the adjustment and paid the accumulated arrears for two years, using budgeted funds and savings.

    According to her, the implementation of the CPA and the arrears was calculated using Pension Pay Bands, as recommended by the Technical Sub-Committee (TSC) for pension review in line with the 2019 National Minimum Wage.

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    She said: “The TSC’s recommendation aimed to improve the welfare of pensioners at the lower end of the pension scale. This approach significantly reduced the percentage of pensioners receiving less than N10,000 monthly, from 27 per cent to 2per cent, while increasing the number of pensioners receiving up to N30,000 monthly, from 32per cent to 48per cent.

    “After the implementation, PTAD received various complaints from pensioners and pension unions regarding the accuracy of the implementation. In response to these concerns, PTAD sought clarification from NSIWC about the implementation model.

    “NSIWC’s response, via a letter dated 8th July 2024, clarified that the 2019 CPA should be applied based on Grade Levels, using the specific figures provided for each Grade Level. The letter also exempted defunct, commercialised, and privatized agencies from the increment, except for those who retired under the listed Salary Structure outlined in the circular. Following this clarification, PTAD engaged with pension union executives and relevant stakeholders to communicate these changes and ensure a smooth implementation.’’

    Odunaiya further explained that the revised approach was adopted in the August 2024 monthly pension payments.

    “As expected, some pensioners who previously benefited from the Band-based method saw their pensions change due to the switch to the Grade Level method, resulting in a reduction for some and an increase for others.

    “It is important to note that the 2024 20%/28% pension increment was calculated using the Grade Level-adjusted 2019 CPA for agencies whose salary structure was enumerated in the circular. Therefore, the adjustment depends on the re-computed 2019 CPA, based on grade levels.

    “PTAD reminds all stakeholders that it is a Government Agency tasked with implementing Government Policies and Directives”.

    The ES reaffirmed that the welfare of pensioners remains its utmost priority, in line with its mandate under the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2014 and its day-to-day operations.

  • Pensioners protest unpaid increment allowance

    Pensioners protest unpaid increment allowance

    Dozens of aggrieved pensioners yesterday staged a protest at the Lagos office of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) over the non-implementation of a N32,000 pension increment approved by the Federal Government since July 2024, and the alleged mismanagement of palliative funds meant for senior citizens.what they described as continued neglect and injustice.

    NUP) Nipost Lagos Chapter Chairman, Mukaila Odumote, said: “The Federal Government approved the N32,000 increment in pension due to the hardship caused by subsidy removal, yet almost a year later, we have not seen a kobo. Many of our members are dying daily. They cannot afford basic medication. Some are owed up to 108 months of pension arrears.”

    According to him, the Federal Government had also promised N25,000 palliative funds for pensioners and other vulnerable groups since October 2023. While civil servants received theirs, pensioners were allegedly excluded.

    “The delay in monthly pensions is worsening our suffering. Instead of paying us at the end of the month, they now pay on the 8th of the following month. Our people are dying. PTAD claims they are doing backend publication, but what they are doing is unjust,” he said.

     Odumote also alleged that PTAD had paid a select few pensioners under the new increment of 20 per cent for junior officers and 28 per cent for senior officers, which was approved in January 2025, but even that came with unexplained deductions instead of increases.

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    “This is injustice mounted on us, and we cannot curtail it anymore. All Lagos pensioners have converged here today. If we don’t receive alerts, we will not leave this place,” he said.

    Chairman of Voice of Nigeria Pensioners, Oyeniyi Oluwole, called the situation “appalling” and “unacceptable.” He described how pensioners, many of whom have received the same stipend for over 15 to 20 years, are now facing deductions under unclear directives allegedly issued to PTAD.

    “You retire on the same grade and year with a colleague, yet deductions on your pensions are unequal. Someone gets deducted N20,000, another N40,000. What kind of irregularity is that? That’s injustice,” he said.

    According to him, the National Assembly had during plenary issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Minister of Finance to ensure payment. “That ultimatum has expired for over two months, yet nothing has been done. Why?”

  • Pensioners task PTAD on full remittance of check-off dues

    Pensioners task PTAD on full remittance of check-off dues

    The Federal Parastatals and Private Sector Pensioners Association of Nigeria (FEPPPAN) has called on the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) to ensure full remittance of its members’ check-off dues.

    The union also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to pay the promised N25,000 palliative for three months amounting to N75,000 to pensioners to ease the economic burden caused by increasing fuel prices and rising inflation in the country.

    General Secretary of FEPPPAN, Mr. Franklin Erinle who made the appeal during the union’s 1st National Delegates Conference (NDC) in Abuja, also appealed to President Tinubu to implement policies that would mitigate the rising cost of living.

    The union called for urgent measures that would address the worsening hardship Nigerians were struggling with

    Erinle said that despite clear provisions in the law, full payment of the check-off dues of some of their members have continued to be unremitted.

    He said: “We have shown understanding and patience, but we should not be taken for granted. We callon the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Registrar of Trade Unions(RTU) and other relevant authorities to intervene in this matter. It is essential that what is rightfully ours, especially as outlined by the extant laws, is given to us. We have been patient long enough.

    “Also, we appeal to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to implement policies and actions that will alleviate the economic hardships in the country.

    Read Also: Jigawa: Gov. Namadi approves payment of N70,000 minimum wage

    “While we acknowledge the recent pension increment for pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), the new minimum wage, and other palliatives, these efforts will amount to little if the cost of petrol and, by extension, goods and services, continues to rise.

    “We urge the President to act swiftly to improve the economic situation, especially the declining exchange rate, which has significantly worsened hardship in the country.”

    Erinle encouraged pensioners under the recent regrouping to join FEPPPAN, assuring them that their interests would be well-protected within the union.

    During the NDC, the pensioners’ union elected Elder Benjamin Maisamari Amako as its new President – General, Alhaji Rasaki Ope, Deputy Presidents-General (South), Augustine Odihi -Deputy President-General (North), Comrade Bolatito Oyetosho, National PRO, Alhaji Abubakar Bichi, National Auditor I, Ichie Edwin Enyokwa, National Treasurer.

    In his acceptance speech, Amako pledged to serve with integrity, transparency, and deep commitment to the welfare of every member of FEPPPAN.

    He commended President Tinubu for prioritising the welfare of pensioners especially in the recent approval of N32,000 pension increase.

    He also praised PTAD efforts in ensuring prompt payment of pensions and reiterated the call for all FEPPPAN members check-off dues be paid in full, warning that their patience and understanding may run out if the situation continues.

    He said: “I will ensure that our voice is not only heard but acted upon. I will advocate for timely and fair pensions adjustments, particularly for those agencies not yet covered under the consolidate pension scheme. We must engage with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to ensure that no pensioner is left behind in receiving what’s rightfully ours. Amako added.”

    He added: “I need the support of all members of NAC, NEC, and the entire members of FEPPPAN to achieve the desired success. Your ideas and participation will be of great importance. We will make sure that FEPPPAN remains a force to reckon with, an association that champions the rights and welfare of pensioners across Nigeria.”

    President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, hailed FEPPPAN for affiliating with the Congress and for conducting a rancour free election.

    Ajaero called on the Federal Government to pay special attention to the welfare of the senior citizens and ensure a reversal of policies that are worsening the living condition of Nigerians at large.

    Registrar of Trade Unions (RTU), Mr. Amos Falonipe commended FEPPPAN for its conduct since the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment registered it especially on the face challenges of check-off due and other issues.

    He however charged the new leadership to be prudent especially in utilising union funds, saying check-off dues wrre public funds and not personal.

    He tasked the Amako-led leadership to adhere to the rule of law in discharging his duties.

  • PTAD to verify NNSL pensioners

    The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has said that it has so far verified and pay rolled about 16,873 pensioners of defunct or privatized government companies, while the process of verifying others, including the defunct Nigeria National Shipping Line (NNSL) is being worked out.

    Executive Secretary of the Directorate, Barrister Sharon Ikeazor disclosed this in a statement in Abuja while reacting to allegations by some pensioners of the defunct Nigeria National Shipping Line that PTAD was frustrating the payment of their entitlement.

    She explained that when PTAD got approval to commence the verification of pensioners of the defunct NNSL, the leadership of the pensioners raised objection to the data received from the federal Ministry of Transportation stating that the salary structure of its Seamen was not capture.

    She said further that while PTAD is making arrangement for their verification along side others, it was yet to receive the salary structure of the Seamen from the Ministry concerned.

    The statement reads: “The attention of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has been drawn to a misleading statement allegedly issued by representatives of Ex-workers of Nigerian National Shipping Line (NNSL) insinuating that PTAD had deliberately delayed their enrolment into the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) and thereby frustrating the payment of N3 billion pension arrears owed to its members. Nothing could be further from the truth.

    “To correct this false impression, we would like to state that the issue of enrolling pensioners of defunct/privatized agencies was part of President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s commitment towards lifting pensioners, who had hitherto been neglected for over a decade, out of poverty.

    “This policy saw to the enrolment of pensioners of Delta Steel Company, NICON Insurance, Nigeria Reinsurance, New Nigerian Newspapers and NITEL/MTEL, all agencies that were either privatized or liquidated by previous governments without contingency safety nets for the thousands of their hardworking Nigerian employees.

    “Plans are already underway for the verification and subsequent enrolment of qualified Ex-workers of Savannah Sugar Company, Aluminum Smelter Company, Nigerian National Shipping Line and others as approved by the Honorable Minister of Finance (HMF).

    “In the case of NNSL, the approval for enrolment was received in April 2018, several months after the first set of agencies was approved.

    “It is worthy of note, that the Directorate’s pre-verification exercise for pensioners is a long and painstaking inter-ministerial process that requires the collection of data and digitization of documents. Most significantly, it requires getting the authentic salary structure of the agency concerned, which in the case of NNSL wasn’t an easy feat.

    “When PTAD eventually got a response in that regard from the Federal Ministry of Transport, representatives of the Union, whom the Directorate had been actively engaging with all along, declared the document incomplete saying that it didn’t include the salary structure of its Seamen, though PTAD is yet to receive any formal information from Federal Ministry of Transport regarding that allusion.

    “It is important to state that, the Directorate has to date verified and put on monthly pension payroll, a total of 16,873 pensioners of seven (7) defunct/privatized agencies, and this is not including a total of 759 Next of Kins (NoK) of deceased pensioners of these defunct agencies that had equally been paid their departed breadwinner’s final entitlements.”

    She listed the companies as NITEL/MTEL 10,801, Delta Steel Company 3,593, NICON Insurance 949, Nigeria Reinsurance 292, New Nigeria Newspapers 507, Nigerian Defense Academy (Civilians) 79 and Federal Housing Authority 652.

    Ikeazor said “contrary to the unfortunate statement ascribed to certain representatives of Ex-workers of NNSL, preparation for the verification of all treasury funded parastatals, including NNSL, has been completed and the exercise will commence shortly across the country. The program schedule will also be released by the Directorate soon.

    “We therefore assure all pensioners that are yet to be verified that succor will soon come their way in conformity with the President’s commitment to improve the welfare of all Nigerian pensioners, especially those neglected by previous administrations.”

  • Pensioners threaten to embark on nationwide protest

    Issue 21 days ultimatum

    Nigerian Pensioners under the auspices of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) have threatened to shut down the operation of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) and other agencies of government responsible for the delay in their payment if the government failed to pay the balance of their 33 percent pension increase within 21 days.

    Addressing a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja, National President of the Union, Dr. Abel Afolayan said the leadership of the union can no longer contain the anger of its members that have been spoiling for a showdown with the government.

    Afolayan said “The payment of the balance of  this arrears is long overdue. We had made several submissions and appeals at different fora to the federal government  through PTAD for this payment but to no avail.

    “The leadership of the union therefore can no longer contain the anger of its members who have been spoiling for a show down with the federal government over the non-payment.

    “Consequently,  and having been pushed to the wall, we are compelled to issue a 21-day ultimatum to PTAD in compliance with the extant labour laws after which if no payment is made,  pensioners would embark on a protest to picket PTAD and other relevant offices connected with this payment.

    “I do hope that immediate action would be taken to effect the payment in order to make such a course of action unnecessary, and as a mark of respect for us the elderly and senior citizens of this country.”

    While commending the Minister of Finance, Hajia Zainab Ahmed for releasing N22.4bn to settle the long-awaited pension liabilities of the defunct Nigeria Airways Staff in liquidation, he wants the government to ensure that pensioners are given equal treatment t with workers in arriving at a new minimum wage for the country.

    “This gesture has in no small measure put smiles on the faces of the beneficiaries. Equally, this gesture goes to attest to the fact that the federal government under the able leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari is indeed a listening government.”

    He said further that there was the need the union to press for the consideration and approval of the National Minimum Pension for pensioners by the federal government alongside the on-going negotiation for  the approval and  implementation of a National Minimum Wage  for Nigerian workers.

    Read Also: Federal pensioners protest over non-payment of 36 pension arrears

    He said “Suffice it to say our request is in line with the provisions of sections 173 (3) and 210 (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) which unambiguously states that “pensions shall be reviewed every five years or together with any Federal Civil Service salary reviews, whichever is earlier”. The last pension review was in July 2010. The next one, in line with the provision of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) was due  in July 2015.

    “Despite our efforts and submissions, nothing has been done in compliance with the above constitutional provisions.  This is the reason why the union has been very vocal and unrelenting  in restating its position on the call and demand for a new minimum pension alongside the on-going negotiation for a  new minimum wage which by all indications will soon be implemented by the federal government.

    “It is therefore our humble request, in accordance with the above constitutional provisions that a uniformed national minimum pension be approved for Nigerian pensioners to be the same as any minimum wage.

    “In other words, whatever amount is approved as minimum wage for workers should also apply as minimum pension for pensioners. We believe that whatever is good for the Goose is also good for the Gander,  as both workers and pensioners go to the same market for their daily needs.

    “Regrettably and pathetically too, many pensioners today earn as low as N4,000 per month which is nothing to write home about. With the present economic situation in the country, it is unacceptable and in fact inhuman for a pensioner  to earn less than N30,000 which is not even enough to cater for his needs.

    “We would like to emphasize again that  whatever is finally approved as the national  minimum wage should equally  apply to pensioners as national  minimum pension with a  corresponding circular,  clearly stating  minimum pension (QED),  and  not  after the release of the minimum wage circular the union would  begin to run helter skelter in pursuance of  the release of the pensioners circular as experienced  in the case of the  2010 minimum wage  and pension review.

    “It is also important and imperative  to add here  that  state governments should take a cue  from  the federal government  that whatever  is the final agreement reached  by the tripartite committee as minimum wage, same should apply to all state pensioners as minimum pension in accordance with section 210 (3) of the 1999 Federal  Constitution (as amended).

    “For justice and fairness, and in line with the spirit and letter of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria, sections173 (3) and 210 (3),   minimum wage and minimum pension should be the same. This is our position, this is our demand.”

  • PTAD pays pension arrears to 5382 pensioners

    The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) said it has paid about 5,382 Civil Service Pensioners outstanding pension arrears to the tune of N1.7 billion.

    The Directorate also said that it has reviewed downward, the Monthly Pension of about 4,292 pensioners who were hitherto receiving pensions above what they are entitled to.

    Read Also:PTAD explains delay in pension payment

    In a statement from the communication unit of the agency and made available to The Nation, PTAD said the number is part of the 7,969 Civil Service Pensioners who were enrolled on Its monthly payroll in March 2018 with a total payment of N71.5m for the month.

    The statement said further that the agency has also adjusted monthly pension payments for 10,522 pensioners to reflect their correctly computed monthly pension based on their employment records.

    According to them, while 4,292 pensioners had their monthly pension payments adjusted downward, the pension of 6,230 was adjusted upwards.

    The Directorate assures all pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme who have outstanding pension arrears that payments will be made as soon as the Federal Government allocates and disburses funds, adding that the Buhari administration was committed to the welfare of Nigerian pensioners.

  • PTAD to begin verification of NITEL, MTEL pensioners in Jan. 2018

    PTAD to begin verification of NITEL, MTEL pensioners in Jan. 2018

    The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate ( PTAD ), has announced dates for the verification of pensioners of Nigerian Telecommunications Limited ( NITEL ) and its mobile subsidiary, MTEL under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).

    Management of PTAD in a statement in Abuja on Thursday announced  that  the verification would begin from January 15  to 26, 2018.

    According to it, the exercise will take place across the six geo-political zones in selected venues that will be announced in January.

    PTAD said the verification exercise was in pursuant to the payment of pension benefits to eligible retirees of the agencies after receiving approval from the Ministry of Finance that appropriate benefits be paid to qualified retirees.

    “Pursuant to PTAD being assigned with the responsibility, the directorate has been working with the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) to get the nominal roll  and other required information on qualified pensioners of the defunct NITEL.”

    PTAD said qualified retirees are required to come with originals and photocopies of their required documents including their computation sheets issued by their former employer.

    It said  Next-of-Kins (NOK) are also mandated to obtain a Letter of Administration from the High Courts of Justice for the deceased pensioner.

    It further said that affidavit for loss of mandatory documents including letter of retirement will not be accepted for the verification.

    According to PTAD, issue of proxy will not be allowed in the process as  security agencies will  be stationed at the venues to check fraudsters, who will  be immediately prosecuted when apprehended.

    It said the directorate was ready to attend to the sick and infirmed at  their locations, and are therefore advised to send an application for mobile verification.

    It advised that the application must include pensioners’ contact details, photo copies of all documents as listed and certified Doctor’s report for such services.

    For further enquires, it advised concerned persons to contact PTAD on the toll-free line 0800-CALL-PTAD (0800-2255-7823) or email info@ptad.gov.ng.

    NAN

  • PTAD commences verification of 2,490 pensioners in Benue

    PTAD commences verification of 2,490 pensioners in Benue

    The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate ( PTAD ) on Wednesday commenced the verification of 2,490 pensioners in Benue to determine the authentic ones.

    PTAD Team Elader, Mr Jimmy Adeyemi, said in Makurdi that 2,490 pensioners in the state would undergo various screening procedures, including taking of biometrics to determine their genuineness.

    “Pensioners will be made to go through various verification procedures which terminate at the quality assurance desk where they will be issued slips signifying they are genuine.

    “It is only after the quality assurance check that they are free to go. Their entitlements can then be computed for payment,” Adeyemi said.

    He said the exercise was essentially for the former Federal Government workers but accommodated those that worked before the creation of states in 1976.

    The team leader said the exercise was going on smoothly and expected to end on Saturday.

    “So far, we have received no cases of falsification of pension documents. We have verified 852 pensioners and there have been no falsified documents. We have three more days to finish this exercise.”

    A pensioner, Mr Vincent Azer, commended the conduct of the exercise and said it was aimed at checking ghost pensioners”.

    “There could be some who are receiving pensions that never worked anywhere; so, this type of exercise will fish them out.

    “This type of exercise was carried out four years ago and that is a long time now” Azer said.

    NAN

  • Buhari approves payment of pension to retired Biafran police officers

    Buhari approves payment of pension to retired Biafran police officers

    Succour has come the way of police officers who served in the defunct Biafran Police during the 30 months Civil War as President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the payment of pension to those who were granted presidential pardon in 2000.

    The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate ( PTAD ) yesterday announced that about 162 of such retired police officers and 57 next of kin of those who died will be paid their pension benefits in the first phase of the payment with effect from tomorrow in Enugu.

    A statement from the PTAD management said after their pardon, a verification exercise was conducted for them by the defunct Police Pension office and recently by PTAD and the Police Service Commission.

    The statement reads: “The general public would recall that Nigeria witnessed an ugly Civil War between July, 1967 and January, 1970 and as a result of that unfortunate period in our history, some members of the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police and paramilitary officers who took part with the secessionist were dismissed from the service.

    “The dismissal of those officers was commuted to retirement in the year 2000 through a Presidential Amnesty granted on May 29, 2000 by the Administration of the then President, Olusegun Obasanjo.

    “A verification exercise was conducted for the pardoned officers by the defunct Police Pension Office and recently PTAD on one hand and the Police Service Commission on the other.

    “Despite the presidential pardon and verification of these officers, many of them remained unpaid years after the pardon.  However, the present administration under the able leadership of President, Muhammadu Buhari has graciously given approval for the payment of pension entitlements to these officers and their next of kin.”

  • Buhari approves payment of pension to retired Biafra Police

    Buhari approves payment of pension to retired Biafra Police

    Succour has come the way of police officers who served in the defunct Biafran Police during the 30 months Nigeria Civil war as President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the payment of pension to the police officers who were granted presidential pardon in 2000.

    The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) Wednesday announced that about 162 of such retired police officers and 57 Next of Kin of those who have died will be paid their pension benefits in the first phase of the payment with effect from Friday, October 20, 2017 in Enugu.

    A statement from the management of PTAD said after their pardon, a verification exercise was conducted for them by the defunct Police Pension office and recently by PTAD and the Police Service Commission.

    The statement reads: “The general public would recall that Nigeria witnessed an ugly civil war between July, 1967 and January, 1970 and as a result of that unfortunate period in our history, some members of the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police and paramilitary officers who took part with the Secessionist were dismissed from the service.

    “The dismissal of those officers was commuted to retirement in the year 2000 through a Presidential Amnesty granted on 29th May, 2000 by the Administration of the then President, Olusegun Obasanjo.

    “A verification exercise was conducted for the pardoned officers by the defunct Police Pension Office and recently PTAD on one hand and the Police Service Commission on the other.

    “Despite the Presidential pardon and verification of these officers, many of them remained unpaid years after the pardon.  However, the present administration under the able leadership of President, Muhammadu Buhari has graciously given approval for the payment of pension entitlements to these officers and their Next of Kin.

    PTAD is commencing the payment of pension benefits to the retired war affected police officers on Friday October 20, 2017 in Enugu.  162 officers will be payrolled and 57 Next of Kin who have also not been paid their death benefits will be paid in the first batch.