As a Nigerian, you may have heard about the Pension Reform Act of 2014, which led to the establishment of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in Nigeria. However, you may not fully understand how the scheme works and its benefits in Nigeria. 

This article is designed to provide you with an in-depth understanding of Nigeria’s Pension Scheme and its key benefits and features.

What is the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in Nigeria?

The CPS is a pension system in Nigeria where both the employer and employee make contributions to a Retirement Savings Account (RSA) for the employee’s retirement. The scheme is managed by Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) under the regulatory authority of the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

Under the CPS in Nigeria, every employee is required to open an RSA, and their employer is mandated to make a minimum contribution of 10% of the employee’s monthly salary, while the employee is expected to contribute a minimum of 8% of their monthly salary. However, employers are allowed to contribute more than the minimum requirement, and employees are also free to contribute more than 8% of their salary.

Key Benefits of the CPS in Nigeria

1. Retirement Benefits

The CPS in Nigeria provides a retirement benefit for employees when they reach retirement age, which is currently set at 60 years old. The retirement benefit is paid as a lump sum or as programmed withdrawals or annuity payments, depending on the retiree’s choice.

2. Portability of Pension Accounts

One significant advantage of the CPS in Nigeria is that employees can transfer their RSA from one PFA to another if they change jobs. This feature ensures that their retirement savings are not lost when they change employers, and it promotes healthy competition among PFAs.

3. Additional Benefits

In addition to the retirement benefit, the CPS in Nigeria provides other benefits such as death benefits, which are payable to the employee’s named beneficiary if the employee dies before retirement. The CPS also provides disability benefits for employees who become incapacitated before retirement.

4. Investment Returns

The CPS in Nigeria allows for investment returns on the pension fund, which can be significant in the long run. The PFAs invest the pension fund in various financial instruments, such as government bonds, stocks, and real estate, to maximize returns for the employee.

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Key Features of the CPS in Nigeria

1. Voluntary Contributions

Under the CPS in Nigeria, employees can make voluntary contributions to their RSA, in addition to the mandatory contributions by the employer. This feature allows employees to increase their retirement savings and ensures that they have enough funds to cater to their post-retirement needs.

2. Tiered Pension Structure

The CPS in Nigeria has a tiered pension structure, which is based on the employee’s age and the number of years left before retirement. The tiered structure is designed to ensure that employees who are closer to retirement age have more conservative investment portfolios, while those who are younger have more aggressive investment portfolios.

3. Compliance Monitoring

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) in Nigeria is responsible for monitoring compliance with the CPS by employers and PFAs. PenCom ensures that employers remit the required contributions to their employees’ RSA and that PFAs invest in the pension fund in accordance with the guidelines provided.

4. Pension Fund Custodians

Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs) in Nigeria are financial institutions that hold the pension fund on behalf of the PFAs. The PFCs are responsible for the safekeeping of the pension fund and ensure that the fund is available for investment the PFAs.

Final Words

In conclusion, the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in Nigeria is a significant improvement on the previous pension scheme. The scheme ensures that employees in Nigeria have adequate retirement savings, and it provides other benefits such as death benefits and disability benefits. The CPS in Nigeria also allows for investment returns on the pension fund, which can be significant in the long run.

It is essential for every employee in Nigeria to understand the key benefits and features of the CPS, as this will enable them to make informed decisions about their retirement planning. Employees should also be aware of their rights and responsibilities under the CPS, and they should ensure that their employer is complying with the scheme’s requirements.

In addition, employees should choose their Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) carefully, considering factors such as their track record, investment strategy, and customer service. It is also advisable for employees to review their RSA regularly to ensure that they are on track to meet their retirement goals.

Overall, the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) in Nigeria is a significant improvement from the previous pension scheme, and it provides employees with a more secure and transparent retirement savings system. With the right knowledge and understanding of the scheme’s key benefits and features, every employee in Nigeria can take advantage of this system to secure their retirement future.