By VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

THE National Pension Commission, PenCom, is presently verifying for employees of Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, that are Treasury-Funded, ahead of their retirement next year.

The exercise which began on June 3, would end on July 11, 2013.

A statement by PenCom’s head of Communication unit, Emeka Onuora, said the exercise meant for employees in the service of the Federal Government “who are due to retire between January and December, 2014 by virtue of attaining 60 years of age or 35 years in service whichever is earlier or 65 years in service or 70 years of age for employees of tertiary institutions, is for the purpose of payment of retirement benefits. This physical enrolment also covers those who have already retired but are yet to be enrolled.”

“Employees are requested to attend the enrolment exercise with the originals and copies of letter of appointment, birth certificate/declaration of age, promotion letter and   pay slip indicating grade level and step as at 30th June, 2004.Other requirements for the enrolment exercise include letter from the MDAs indicating retirement and first appointment dates, grade level and step as at July  2007 as well as the current grade level, authenticated past records of service and current pay slip indicating grade level and step. They should also come along with evidence of registration with a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA) indicating Personal Identification Number (PIN) and one passport photograph.

According to her, “to ensure a successful and hitch-free exercise, 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.”

“The exercise will take place at 14 centers across the nation. 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.”