MPB, veterans seek common ground over pension adjustment disputes

The Military Pensions Board (MPB) and military veterans have agreed on the need for transparent engagement and clarification of pension computations following complaints over the recent consequential adjustment.

The Chairman of the board, Air Vice Marshal Mikail Abdulraheem, gave the assurance on Tuesday during an interactive session with veterans in Abuja, where he explained the legal framework and salary structure used in computing retirees’ pensions.

Abdulraheem said the board was committed to administering pensions in accordance with applicable laws and salary structures issued by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.

He explained that the commission provided a revised salary structure for pension and gratuity purposes following the salary review for serving military personnel, effective September 1, 2026.

According to him, “the structure incorporates the approved adjustments and provides the basis for calculating pension entitlements across ranks and years of service.”

He said the board did not independently determine salary rates but applied the approved structure in line with relevant pension regulations.

Abdulraheem explained that pension computation followed a graduated formula based on years of service, with entitlements increasing from the prescribed minimum to a maximum of 90 per cent of the applicable final emolument after 35 years of service.

He said applying a common framework was essential to maintaining consistency between existing pensioners and personnel who would retire in the future.

The chairman urged veterans to submit their calculations and supporting pension records to enable the board to examine differences between the amounts they expected and those they received.

He said the board was willing to explain its computations and work with relevant authorities to clarify the issues raised.

“We want everyone to see the applicable documents and understand the computation rather than rely on assumptions,” Abdulraheem said.

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He added that the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission had also been invited to clarify the revised salary structure and the basis for the figures used in the computation.

Abdulraheem emphasised that individual complaints would be addressed more effectively through the examination of pension records and supporting documents.

He also urged veterans’ organisations to adopt a coordinated approach to engaging the board, saying a recognised channel would facilitate communication and help prevent the fragmentation of complaints.

In their comments, representatives of the veterans called for greater transparency in implementing the consequential adjustment, alleging that some retirees received increases below the percentages announced for their respective rank categories.

They also raised concerns over differences in arrears paid to warrant officers and master warrant officers, as well as pension benefits for medically boarded personnel.

One of the representatives, retired MWO Duru Augustine, said the veterans wanted to understand how the revised salary structure translated into the actual amounts received by individual pensioners.

Augustine said the veterans expected their concerns to be examined in accordance with the applicable pension framework and called for clear explanations of the computations.

Responding, Abdulraheem reiterated that the board was prepared to review the concerns against relevant records and regulations, stressing that accurate information was essential to resolving the disputes.

He said the board’s objective was to ensure consistent application of the rules and prevent individual errors or misunderstandings from undermining confidence in the pension administration process.

The meeting provided an opportunity for the board to explain its position and for veterans to present their concerns, although the disputed calculations were not fully reconciled during the session.