1.0 What does PTAD stand for?

PTAD is an acronym for Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD).  PTAD is a  wholly treasury funded extra ministerial department under Federal Ministry of Finance, responsible for the management of pensions under the old pension scheme (Defined Benefit Scheme-DBS) for pensioners who did not transit to the new Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) which is currently in effect in Nigeria.

2.0 What is the difference between the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) & the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS)?

The Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) is the pension scheme that was in effect in Nigeria until 2007 when it was replaced with the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPD) as stipulated in the Pension Reform Act (PFA) 2004 and 2014.

Under the DBS, the total pension obligation is borne by government as against the CPS where the accumulated pension at retirement is based on a pension plan in which an employer/employee contribute in varying percentages to build a retirement fund for an individual.

Under the CPS, the pension fund exists from the onset and payments can be made as at when due unlike the DBS which is wholly dependent on government treasury for funding.

3.0 Who are the Pensioners under PTAD management?

Any federal public sector employee entitled to retirement benefits who retired on or before the 31^st day of June 2007 and has worked in any of the pension groups below falls under PTAD management.

Pension Groups (Departments) under PTAD (in accordance with Section 43 (3) of the Pension Reform Act):

• The Civil Service Pension Department (CSPD)
• The Police Pension Department (PPD)
• The Customs, Immigration and Prisons Pension Department (CIPPD)
• The Treasury Funded Parastatals Pension Department (PaPD)
• The Pension Support Services Department (PSSD)

3.1 What of State Pensioners?

There are also some state pensioners who are entitled to federal share. To be a state pensioner with federal share, a retiree must have been in employment for one of the regions of Nigeria before 31^st day of March 1976 and retired before the 31^st day of March 2011.

The following public sector employees irrespective of when they retired are however NOT under PTAD’S jurisdiction:

• The categories of persons mentioned in S. 291 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended): Judicial officers of the Supreme Court & Court of Appeal;
• Members of the Armed Forces
• The intelligence and secret services of the Federation

4.0 Why is verification necessary?

It is necessary for PTAD to carry out Verification Exercise to ascertain the proof of life and create a credible database of all pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS)

PTAD did not inherit a credible pensioners’ database, there is therefore an urgent need to verify all pensioners under the DBS to enable PTAD resolve their complaints: The verification of pensioners is aimed at:

• The establishment of an accurate, credible, and digitized database of pensioners under DBS and for complaint resolution
• Eliminating duplicate payments and ghost pensioners
• Regularizing anomalies such as over payments and under payments
• Obtaining relevant work records to ensure accurate computation of pension payment
• Updating the records of the Next Of Kin (NOK) for payment of death benefit

4.1 What documents are needed for verification?

Documents required for verification may vary from one pension group to another;

1. Civil Service Pensioners

• Letter/Gazette of 1^st appointment
• Letter/Gazette of confirmation of appointment
• Letter/Gazette of last Promotion
• Letter/Notice of retirement approved by a competent Authority
• Severance Pay slip(Disengaged Retirees only)
• Evidence of change of name (Where applicable)
• Duly stamped and signed NUBAN Bank statement on the Bank letterhead from period of retirement or date from which complaint was made till date
• Computation Sheet duly stamped and signed by The state Auditor (State Pensioners with Federal Share)
• Birth Certificate/Age Declaration (Due Pensioners only)
• 1 coloured Passport Photograph
• Approval Letter of Merger/Condonation from Head of service OHCF (For those who merged their service).

2. Customs, Immigration and Prisons Pensions

• Letter/Gazette of 1^st appointment
• Letter/Gazette of confirmation of appointment
• Letter/Gazette of last Promotion
• Original Stamped & Signed Bank
• Approval Letter of Merger/Condonation of service (Where Applicable).
• Evidence of Change of Name (Where applicable)
• Birth Certificate/Age Declaration (Due Pensioners only)
• Letter/Acceptance of Retirement
• Severance Pay Slip(For Downsized Officers)
• Identity Card

3. Police Pensions

• Letter of Enlistment
• Letter of Approval of Retirement
• Pension Advice
• Letter of Merger of service (for demoted officers)
• Current Bank Statement
• Letter of Identification/Introduction
• Letter/Gazette of confirmation
• Letter/Gazette of last Promotion
• Identity Card

4.2 What is the period of bank statement needed for verification?

Duly stamped and signed NUBAN Bank statement on the Bank letterhead from period of retirement or date from which complaint was made till date

Where there is no complaint, bank statement for the last six months should be provided.

5.0 Who is a Next of Kin (NOK)?

The Next-of-Kin (NOK) is the individual chosen by the principal to inherit his or her entitlement in the event of his/her death.

The NOK could be the child, wife, brother, parent, friend or any relation of the deceased,   selected by the deceased while he/she was alive.

5.1 If there are more than one NOK, do we all need to be present for verification?

Yes. You all need to be present as NOKs. Verification can only be successful and recognized when all NOKs are present in compliance to the will of the deceased pensioner.

5.2 What are the documents needed for NOK verification?

Depending on the Department documents required for verification of NOKs varies here are the lists of documents required;

• Death Certificate
• Birth Certificate of NOK
• Letter of Introduction from MDA(Death in active service)
• Record of Service
• Letter of Administration
• Marriage Certificate (For Spouses)
• Joint Account of NOKs(Duly Stamped/Signed
• Passport Photograph of NOKs
• Identification for NOK(s)
• Deceased Officer letter of last promotion
• Letter/Gazette of 1^st appointment of the Deceased Officer

6.0 Can a sick or bedridden pensioner be verified?

Yes. PTAD undertakes mobile verification to homes and hospitals to verify sick and bedridden pensioners who are unable to physically come to our verification centres.

To qualify for mobile verification, pensioners should send proof of incapacity either through a medical report from a recognized government hospital or a picture showing the state of condition of the pensioner.

The following categories of pensioners qualify for mobile verification;

• Terminally ill Pensioners
• Very Old and weak Pensioners
• Infirmed Pensioners.

6.1 How can PTAD be contacted for Mobile Verification?

Relations of sick pensioners can contact PTAD for mobile verification through our Website complaints portal at: www. ptad.gov.ng, or our toll free line (080-CALL-PTAD, 080-2255-7823) 09-4621721, 09-4621722. Pensioners can directly send an email to complaints@ptad.gov.ng or our Facebook and Twitter handles.

6.2 When is the next phase of verification?

PTAD has concluded verification for the Police, Customs, Immigration and Prison Pensioners. We are currently verifying civil service pensioners and have concluded the verification in the North West, South East, North East and South-South. We will conclude the verification of civil service pensioners in the South West and North Central before embarking on verification of all federal funded Parastatal Pensioners.

7.0 What are the likely reasons why a pensioner can be taken off the payroll?

You may have been removed from payroll due to the following reasons;

• Inconsistent or incomplete employment records
• Inconsistent or incomplete Bank details
• An over payment of monthly pension has been discovered
• Ineligibility based on verification outcome
• Lack of BVN number attributed to an account
• Receipt of Death Notification
• NOK attaining the age of 18 years (Section 6)

7.1 I have made a complaint and submitted all the required documents. How long will it take to resolve my complaint?

Your complaint will go through a vetting process before it can be resolved and approved for payment.  Usually it is expected that complaint should be resolved expeditiously however, can vary in their complexity and may require additional processing time

8.0 Can spouses who are pensioners use the same bank account to receive their pension?

No. The reason payment cannot be approved is that pension payment are solely based on individual basis

8.1 Can a corporate or a business account be used to receive pensions?

No. Pension payments are made to individuals, not corporate entities.

9.0 How do I make a complaints of short payment, non-payment of gratuities and pensions etc.?

Complaints can be submitted online via our website www.ptad.gov.ng or visit any of our State offices and submit your complaint

Complete the complaint form and submit online or via email to complaints@ptad.gov.ng o

Complaints can also be made by calling PTAD toll free on 080-2255-7823 (080-CALL-PTAD) to speak to any of our call center agents.

Documents required may include, but not limited to;

• First appointment letter
• Last promotion letter
• Retirement letter
• Stamped and signed original Bank Statement on the bank letter head, covering at least six (6) Months before complaint or six months prior to retirement (for non-payment of gratuity).

10. What is the procedure for a pensioner to change his/her bank account for pension payment?

A pensioner can change his/her bank account through the following procedures,

1. Obtain statement of account from existing bank
2. Obtain a letter of non-indebtedness from existing bank
3. Provide BVN Print out from current existing bank
4. Submit documents to the new intended Bank.
5. Write a notification letter to PTAD with copies of above documents.

11. How do I correct an information error after I have been verified?

Send a notification to PTAD attaching a photocopy of the verification print out and the supporting document for the change.

12. Why monthly pensions are sometimes delayed?

A number of reasons may cause delay to receipt of monthly pension;

• Non- availability of funds
• Change in bank records or account numbering system
• Technical glitches on the e-payment platform
• Operational delays by banks

13. Can I still be verified if I missed verification in my zone?

If you missed the verification in your zone, you can still be verified at our Abuja HQR on the days assigned to each group from 9am-4pm

• Tuesday- Customs Immigration and Prisons Pensions (CIPPD)
• Wednesday-  Civil Service Pensions(CSPD)
• Thursday-  Police Pensions Department (PPD)

Please note that this window is only for those from verified zones who missed the verification exercise.

Please ensure you come along with all documents required for verification as listed above.

14. What is the status of the 33% arrears?

In 2014, the Federal Government approved an increment in pensions, effective July 2010, and PTAD commenced payment of the 33% pension payment increase in October 2014, and all arrears for the year 2014 were paid in December 2014. The arrears for 2010 to 2013 remain unpaid as outstanding government liabilities

As at September 2016, PTAD has however been able to offset some of the 42 months arrears from al the pension departments as follows:

DEPARTMENT         MONTHS PAID                    MONTHS OUTSTANDING

CSPD                         24                                                        18

CIPPD                        42                                                        NIL

PPD                            3                                                          39

PaPD                         12                                                        30

We are however working to ensure all balance are paid subject to availability of funds.

15. I am a diaspora pensioner. How do I get verified?

In partnership with Nigeria missions/Embassies abroad. PTAD is in the process of working out a verification process for all diaspora pensioners. In the meantime, any pensioner on a visit home can come to PTAD HQRs in Abuja any day of the week to be verified. Please ensure you come along with all documents required for verification as listed above.