The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has commenced the implementation of new pension increments for retirees under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS), with the adjustments reflected in the September 2025 payroll.
In a statement on Tuesday, PTAD said the increment package includes a fixed payment of N32,000, alongside percentage increases of 10.66% and 12.95% for eligible categories. The initiative is expected to benefit about 832,000 pensioners.
The development follows President Bola Tinubu’s approval in August of a series of welfare measures for pensioners, after a formal request by PTAD’s Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, for an emergency budgetary allocation to implement reforms.
According to the directorate, the partial release of N820.19 billion by the Federal Ministry of Finance from the N845 billion emergency fund has made the rollout possible.
PTAD noted that the reforms go beyond pension increments, covering pension harmonization, enrolment of pensioners into the National Health Insurance Scheme, and settlement of long-standing unfunded liabilities.
“This milestone clearly reaffirms the Federal Government’s dedication to safeguarding the welfare and entitlements of DBS pensioners in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda”.
The directorate also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, the Ministers of Finance, key government agencies, and organised pension groups for their roles in facilitating the process.
It assured retirees that it would continue working with relevant authorities to ensure the release of outstanding funds and the fulfilment of future obligations.
The DBS covers retirees who left service before the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2004, including those from defunct institutions, privatised agencies, and treasury-funded parastatals. For years, many of these pensioners have faced irregular payments, delayed harmonization, and limited access to healthcare. The new reform aims to resolve these issues.
