Pensioners living abroad receive long-awaited relief as PTAD restores access to payroll benefits

Cynthia Ezekwe

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has directed diaspora pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) who were suspended from the pension payroll for failure to be verified, to renew their “Aliveness Certificate” from the Nigerian High Commission where they reside, and enjoy the benefits of pension   payroll.

The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) is an agency that is tasked with overseeing the administration of pensions for retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS).

The agency’s mandate goes beyond simply ensuring accurate pension payroll; it focuses on ensuring the welfare of retirees by treating them with dignity, respect and care. PTAD recognises that pensioners, having dedicated their lives to serving the nation, deserve a system that respects their contributions and ensures their financial wellbeing.

According to a statement from the agency,  Chioma Ejikeme, executive secretary/chief executive, PTAD, noted that  upon the completion of the nationwide pensioners verification exercise by PTAD, those who were not verified were dropped from the pension payroll with the exception of diaspora and sick pensioners.

She added that the policy and procedure that will guide the validation of diaspora pensioners had been put in place.

According to her, pensioners living in the diaspora, who were previously on the inherited payroll from August 2015, will be reinstated to the payroll pending their physical verification.

However, she explained that they must submit copies of documents including letter of first appointment; letter of last promotion; letter of acceptance of retirement; bank statement showing last pension received; BVN slip with photograph; valid means of identification and I Am Alive certification from the Nigerian High Commission or notarized letter confirming aliveness.

Ejikeme stressed that all diaspora pensioners are required to send an updated Aliveness Certificate after every six months of the last issue to the directorate to make sure they continue to receive their monthly pension, warning that failure to comply will result in their suspension from the pension payroll.