TheCable

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) says it will commence the 2023 online verification and enrolment exercise for prospective retirees in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the federal government.

In a statement on Monday, the commission said the exercise is for those who are due to retire in 2024.

The enrolment exercise will be held from October 2 to December 31, 2023.

Also, the commission said it has hosted the ‘Online Enrolment Application’ on its website.

PenCom said the web-based application empowers prospective retirees with the tools to complete their registration and document submission at their convenience, significantly reducing the need for physical visits and bureaucratic bottlenecks.

“The application comprises four distinct modules that collectively contribute to the comprehensive pension enrolment process: retiree registration, pension fund administrator (PFA) module, MDA module, and PenCom module,” the agency said.

“Under the retiree registration module, prospective retirees can register, scan, and upload all the necessary documents, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of their pension information.

“This innovation drastically reduces the reliance on manual paperwork and minimises the risk of multiple RSA PINs.

“PFAs are vital in this process; therefore, they use the PFA Module for their part. The PFAs are responsible for verifying and enrolling prospective retirees, ensuring the submitted information is accurate and consistent.

“Similarly, the MDA Module enables pension desk officers of MDAs to upload relevant information about prospective retirees, fostering transparency and collaboration between government entities and the pension administration system.

“The PenCom module serves as the final step, validating the records submitted by all parties to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the pension data, thereby adding an extra layer of scrutiny to prevent errors or fraudulent activities.

According to the commission, the online enrolment system aligns seamlessly with these provisions, ensuring compliance and enhancing accountability within the pension administration landscape.

STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS FOR ENROLMENT

PenCom further said the online enrolment process for 2023 consists of three distinct stages: registration, verification, and enrolment.

The commission said prospective retirees can opt for the self-assisted registration or seek assistance from PFAs.

The agency said self-assisted registration involves visiting its website, creating an account, and providing required information such as RSA PIN, NIN, personal details, and employment history.

“Scanned copies of necessary documents are uploaded to the system to ensure data accuracy,” PenCom said.

“During the verification stage, PFAs play a pivotal role. They meticulously crosscheck the information provided, ensuring alignment with the original or certified true copies of the required documents.

“PFAs also guarantee the completeness and accuracy of employment records, salary details, and relevant supporting documents. In addition, PFAs ensure that the scanned documents match the hard copies submitted to them.”

According to PenCom, the PFA also takes a live photograph of the retiree and prints two copies of the enrolment slip for the signature of the retiree. The retiree retains one copy, while the PFA has the second copy.

In addition, the office said the online enrolment considers the challenges faced by sick or incapacitated prospective retirees.

“In such cases, a Next of Kin (NOK) can register on their behalf, uploading the required documents and medical reports,” the commission said.

“PFAs conduct remote verification and enrolment, ensuring that the enrolment process remains accessible to all, regardless of their physical condition.”

PenCom, therefore, said by embracing technology, streamlining processes, and ensuring transparency, it aims to simplify the transition into retirement for government employees and set a precedent for modern and efficient pension fund management.