Trustfund Pensions organises ‘needs assessments’ forum for retirees

The forum also provided the retirees with an avenue to speak on the issue.
The forum, organised for retirees in the North-central geopolitical zone, was attended by hundreds of retirees, with some of them seeking clarification on issues surrounding next of kin and even how to write their correct address.
Most of the pensioners commended Trustfund for its consistency in payment and holding of regularly meetings, urging the federal government to amend the Pensions Act so as to allow an increased pension payment.
A retired police officer, Mr Atuluku Gabriel said: “In terms of their monthly disbursements, I think it is okay. From the 18th, 20th to 22nd of every month, they used to send our money but the problem is the…monthly take home is very meagre.”
Another retiree, High Chief Aki Okpara Mba, commended Trustfund for its service, calling on the federal government to increase the pension period from the current 18 years to 30 years
“They are talking about 18 years, they consider that to be life. But somebody can live more than that. It should be reviewed.”
Mrs Felicia Obili, who retired from the Ministry of Police Affairs, called for immediate upward review of the monthly salary.
Trustfund’s Zonal Manager Mr Maurice Ogar said the platform was basically to allow pensioners “express their feelings on challenges” for the company to address them expeditiously.
On calls by pensioners for increased monthly payments, Ogar said: “The Pension Reform Act 2004 empowers us to operate this scheme and everything that we do is within the confines of this law. We cannot do anything outside of this law. For now, the law does not provide for increase in their monthly pension.
“However, we pay consistently because you know some of them are fully retired and don’t have strength to do any other thing. So they rely solely on this monthly pension. If you give it to them regularly and when due, they will feel very okay and use that consistency in payment to plan on how to spend the money.”