The Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate has announced the start of implementation of new pension increments for pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme.

The adjustments will be reflected in the September 2025 payroll cycle and include a fixed N32,000 payment alongside percentage increases of 10.66 per cent and 12.95 per cent for eligible categories. This will benefit about 832,000 pensioners under PTAD’s management.

The increase package follows President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a series of measures, including new welfare benefits for pensioners under the DBS. The approval came after a formal request by PTAD’s Executive Secretary, Tolulope Odunaiya, seeking an emergency budgetary allocation to implement pension reforms and welfare benefits for the scheme’s retirees.

PTAD stated that the partial release of N820.188 billion by the Federal Ministry of Finance from the emergency funding has made it possible for pensioners to begin receiving the enhanced payments immediately.

“Further to the President’s approval of the emergency budgetary allocation for the payment of the new pension increment rates for Pensioners under the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme that was earlier published by the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate on Friday, 8th August, 2025, the Directorate is delighted to announce the commencement of the implementation of the N32,000, 10.66% and 12.95% pension increment for eligible pensioners under the management of PTAD, in the September 2025 pension payroll cycle.”

The directorate thanked President Tinubu for approving the emergency allocation and acknowledged the role of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and other key officials for their timely interventions and support. PTAD also expressed appreciation to organised pension groups for their cooperation during negotiations and implementation planning.

The DBS covers pensioners who retired before the introduction of the Contributory Pension Scheme in 2004, including those from defunct public institutions, privatised agencies, and treasury-funded parastatals.

Over the years, many have faced irregular payments, delayed harmonisation, and inadequate healthcare access, challenges that the new reforms are expected to address.