The Military Pensions Board (MPB) has announced the commencement of payment of 25 percent of the arrears of minimum wage increment to eligible military retirees on MPB payroll.
In a statement, the Chairman MPB, Rear Admiral SA Lawal disclosed that the payment was the firstout of 4 payments by instalment that would be made to all pensioners entitled to the arrears of minimum wage increment on pensions.
According to him, the payment by instalment arrangement was the outcome of the discussions and agreement reached between the Board and the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning (FMoFBNP) for quarterly releases of the appropriated sum in the first month of each quarter.
He said: ”The Military Pensions Board (MPB) extends its compliments to our esteemed military retirees and wishes to inform them that the Board would be paying 25 percent of the arrears of minimum wage increments to eligible military retirees on MPB payroll tomorrow Thursday 3 February 2022.
“This payment is the first out of 4 installmental payments that will be made to all pensioners entitled to the arrears of minimum wage increment on pensions. Our esteemed pensioners are please to note that this installmental payment arrangement is the outcome of the discussions and agreement reached between the Board and the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning (FMoFBNP) for quarterly releases of the appropriated sum in the first month of each quarter.
“Thus, all things being equal, subsequent payments of the outstanding arrears will be in the months of April, July and October 2022.
“Additionally, I would like to further inform that all Next of Kins (NOKs) of deceased military pensioners who are eligible for same arrears would be paid the minimum wage increments together with the shortfall of the death benefits earlier paid to them.
“Accordingly, Next of Kins of deceased military pensioners who died between April 2019 and April 2021 are advised to contact their banks for these payments.”
The MPB Chairman reiterated that the payment was basically for arrears of increment in pensions of military retirees who were on MPB payroll between 18 April 2019 and 30 April 2021.
“In addition, it is pertinent to state that pensions of senior officers of the rank of Major General and above or its equivalents are not affected by the consequential adjustments on pensions occasioned by the new National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Act 2019. Hence, they are not entitled to the 24 months minimum wage arrears,” he said.
He assured military retirees, NOKs and other well-meaning Nigerians that the Board remained resolute and would ensure complete payment of the arrears before the end of the year, subject to release of funds by the FMoFBNP.
He thanked all the retirees for their patience, understanding and continued support.
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