Niger State Pension Fund Administrators Authorized to Refund Exempted Pensioners.

In a significant development for pensioners in Niger State, the National Pension Commission has granted approval for pension fund administrators to commence the refund of 7.5 percent of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) to exempted pensioners. This announcement was made by Mallam Nasiru Saidu Namaska, the Director General of the Niger State Pension Board, during a recent ceremony in Minna, where gratuity payments were issued to Batch Nine beneficiaries.

Namaska indicated that pension fund administrators would issue a letter of no objection within the week, thereby facilitating immediate commencement of the refund process. He expressed optimism that the refunds would be completed before the end of December, commending Governor Umar Mohammed Bago for his timely provision of funds for retirement benefits.

While addressing the attendees, Namaska acknowledged a shortfall in the number of Batch Nine beneficiaries due to the omission of certain retired permanent secretaries, assuring them that these individuals will be included in the forthcoming tenth batch. He urged retirees to remain patient, emphasizing that all individuals will receive their retirement benefits as scheduled.

Furthermore, Namaska encouraged pensioners to participate in the AM ALIVE verification exercise, set to begin in January 2025. He advised retirees to visit any bank of their choice to complete the verification process, underscoring the importance of this initiative in ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of pension disbursements.

This development marks a positive step towards enhancing the welfare of pensioners in Niger State, reinforcing the commitment of the Niger State Pension Board to uphold timely payment of retirement benefits.