Matthew Otoijagha
The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has commenced a verification and enrolment exercise for about 3000 employees of Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Ogun and Lagos States that are Treasury-Funded.
The Head, Corporate Communications, PenCom, Peter Aghahowa, at the flag-off of the exercise at the University of Lagos, said the verification and enrolment are meant for employees in the service of the Federal Government who are due to retire between January and December, 2019 by virtue of attaining 60 years of age or 35 years in service whichever is earlier. He said, the physical enrolment also covers those who have already retired but are yet to be enrolled.
He urged employees to attend the enrolment exercise with the originals and copies of letter of appointment, evidence of transfer of Service & acceptance where applicable, birth certificate/declaration of age, and promotion letter as at June, 2004.
Other requirements for the enrolment exercise include letter of introduction from the MDAs, staff identity card, letter/evidence of retirement where applicable, letter of indemnity from the MDA. The prospective retirees were also requested to come with evidence of registration with a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) indicating Retirement Savings Accounts (RSA) Personal Identification Number (PIN).
To ensure a successful and hitch-free exercise, he said the Commission requires the services of at least, one Pension Desk Officer from an MDA so as to assist in identifying potential retirees, as well as confirm the authenticity of the documents presented by the employees.
Medically unfit employees are exempted from the exercise, but the Commission advises their Pension Desk Officers to come with their documents and a letter from a suitably qualified physician or medical board certifying that the affected employees are not physically or mentally capable of carrying out the functions of his/her office, he said.
The exercise at the University of Lagos is for FG employees in Lagos and Ogun States, while the Ibadan Centre is for FG employees in Oyo, Osun and Ondo States. Employees are however advised to take part in the exercise as only employees who have been enrolled will be issued with the Federal Government Retirement Bond. The exercise in the South West is taking place between July30, and August 17, 2018.