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Retirees Receive As Little As N500 As Pension Monthly – NUP Calls For Pension Reform

Published

4 months ago

Sep 2, 2024.

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) has raised concerns about the severe conditions faced by public sector retirees, revealing that some still receive a meager N500 as their monthly pension.

Alhassan Musa, the union’s secretary in Kaduna State, described the situation as “pathetic,” highlighting that many retirees, especially in Southern and oil-producing states, are living in dire conditions despite dedicating their lives and service to the nation.

Musa pointed out that the situation is somewhat better for pensioners in some Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where they receive between N3,500 and N18,000 monthly.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that however, he noted that only retirees in Kaduna State currently benefit from a minimum pension of N30,000 per month, a policy implemented by the state government in 2020 under the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

The union secretary also recalled that the NUP had previously proposed a 50% pension increase under the former N30,000 national minimum wage and is now advocating for a similar increase to align with the new N70,000 national minimum wage.

He stressed the importance of ensuring that no pensioner receives less than N70,000 monthly, urging the Federal Government to bridge the gap so that pensioners can enjoy benefits comparable to those of active workers.

“We are hopeful that the Federal Government will address these disparities, so no pensioner is left earning less than N70,000 per month. It’s only fair that pensioners, who have given so much to the country, also enjoy the same benefits that current workers receive,” Musa stated.

“If a worker is receiving N70,000 minimum salary, so, let the pensioner enjoy the same.”

Retirees N500 Pension NUP

Musa said workers who retired under the contributory pension scheme, CPS, were facing formidable challenges, noting “Honestly, these people are facing a lot of challenges because some of them retired in the last 10 years, and yet to draw their benefits.

“It is really pathetic, this is happening in Kaduna and other states.

“Even under the federal government, those who retired under the contributory pension scheme are suffering as their accruals are yet to be remitted into their accounts.”