Pensioners whose rates were reduced in 2011 by the previous government can now access their new allowances from the Fiji National Provident Fund.
The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection announced that the payment usually made by the ministry would be done by the fund.
“An average of 1500 FNPF pensioners were affected, and the payment was facilitated by the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection through their social pension scheme,” a ministry statement read.
“Since August 2023, the ministry began processing applications taking in close to 200 of the 1500 affected FNPF pensioners.
“In December 2023, the Government of the day reviewed this process and made the decision that these FNPF pensioners would be better off served by FNPF for various reasons like ease of operations and disbursement of their allowances since the fund already had pensioners information including their respective bank details.”
The ministry explained that the payment of these allowances was made in December last year.
“Due to the above review, the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection wishes to advise the affected FNPF pensioners that Government has paid out the promised increased allowances effective August 2023 to the Fiji National Provident Fund in December 2023.
“The fund will now facilitate the payment of allowances to the affected pensioners’ accounts.
“Therefore, these FNPF pensioners will remain with the Fiji National Provident Fund and are no longer required to access their pension through the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection.”
Affected pensioners have been urged to contact their nearest social welfare office or FNPF.
