Wednesday, 28 May 2014

Photo News: CIIN fitness walk

Kola Ahmed (CIIN DG), Eddie Efekoha (CIIN COUNCIL MEMBER), Fatai Lawal
(CIIN PRESIDENT) and Sikiru Oyefeso (CIIN COUNCIL MEMBER)  during the warmup Session  for the
2014 FITNESS WALK/ROADSHOW organized recently by the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria, in
Lagos.
Kola Ahmed (CIIN DG),  Eddie Efekoha (CIIN COUNCIL MEMBER), Fatai Lawal (CIIN PRESIDENT),
Sikiru Oyefeso (CIIN COUNCIL MEMBER) and Edwin Igbiti (AIICO Plc) during the warmup Session 
for the 2014 FITNESS WALK/ROADSHOW organised recently by the Chartered Insurance Institute of
Nigeria in Lagos.
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, 27 May 2014

Photonews: Picture taken at the 8th Annual Business Law Conference, organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos


Chairman Pension Operators Association of Nigeria PenOp and Managing Director Legacy Pension Managers Limited, Misbahu Yola and Managing Director First Pension Custodian Limited, Kunle Jinadu at the 8th Annual Business Law Conference, organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos.

Head, Communication Unit National Pension Commission (PenCom), Emeka Onuora (middle) and other members of staff of the commission at the event.
From left: Commission Secretary/Legal Adviser, National Pension Commission (PenCom) Muhammad Sanni Muhammad (standing); Chairman Pension Operators Association of Nigeria PenOp and Managing Director Legacy Pension Managers Limited, Misbahu Yola and Managing Director First Pension Custodian Limited, Kunle Jinadu at the event in Lagos.


Commission Secretary/Legal Adviser, National Pension Commission (PenCom) Muhammad Sanni Muhammad






 

Monday, 26 May 2014

About N2.64trn pension assets invested in FGN securities - PenCom



From left: Commission Secretary/Legal Adviser, National Pension Commission (PenCom) Muhammad Sanni Muhammad; Chairman Pension Operators Association of Nigeria PenOp and Managing Director Legacy Pension Managers Limited, Misbahu Yola and Managing Director First Pension Custodian Limited, Kunle Jinadu at the event in Lagos.
 
Chuks Udo Okonta

Federal Government Securities have continued to enjoyed investments from the pension sector as about N2.64 trillion which is 63 per cent of N4.13 trillion contributors’ funds, have been injected into them as at the end of March this year.

The pension assets have jumped to N4.3 trillion by the end of April.

 The Acting Director-General National Pension Commission (PenCom), Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, who was represented by the Commission’s Secretary/Legal Adviser, Muhammad Sanni Muhammad, disclosed this today Monday, at the 8th Annual Business Law Conference, organized by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos.

Anohu-Amazu, in a paper entitled: The Contributory Pension Scheme as a Catalyst for Economic Development in Nigeria, said the proportion of the pension assets to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has grew from 1.4 per cent in 2005 to 9.5 per cent in 2013, adding that the industry has an average yearly growth of 30 per cent.
Muhammad

She noted that the number of registered contributors  is  over 5,980,415 as at February 2014, stressing that there are 95,840 retirees currently receiving pensions as and when due under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) as at March 2014 and that Nigerian CPS has become a model for other African countries: Study visitations from Ghana, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania. 

Chairman Pension Operators Association of Nigeria PenOp and Managing Director Legacy Pension Managers Limited, Misbahu Yola, said the contributory pension scheme has in-built safety mechanism that ensures adequate protection of contributors' fund.

He noted that that operators are properly regulated to ensure funds are invested in secured investment windows.

Managing Director First Pension Custodian Limited, Kunle Jinadu, noted that the funds deposited with the custodians are safe, adding that his firm's priority is to ensure that contributors derive benefits accruable from the scheme at retirement.   

 

PENSION ASSETS DISTRIBUTION AS AT MARCH, 2014

 

Domestic Ordinary Shares
566,570.62
13.72
Foreign Ordinary Shares
52,930.71
1.28
Total FGN Securities
2,638,414.69
63.91
State Govt. Securities
197,671.35
4.79
Corporate Debt Securities
80,457.96
1.95
Supra-National Bonds
1,730.35
0.04
Local Money Market Securities
318,080.63
7.7
Foreign Money Market Securities
1,015.42
0.02
Open/Close-End Funds
20,762.36
0.5
Real Estate Property
153,237.53
3.71
Private Equity Fund
51,406.08
1.25
Cash & Other Assets
46,008.74
1.11
Total Pension Fund Assets
4,128,286.43
100



 

Head, Communication Unit National Pension Commission (PenCom), Emeka Onuora (middle) and other members of staff of the commission at the event.

















 

THE CONTRIBUTORY PENSION SCHEME AS A CATALYST FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

THE CONTRIBUTORY PENSION SCHEME AS A CATALYST FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
A PRESENTATION
BY Chinelo Anohu-Amazu Ag. Director General
NATIONAL PENSION COMMISSION


Genesis of the Pension Reform

 
Prior to the Pension Reform Act 2004, the public sector operated Defined Benefit (DB) Scheme that was:
largely unfunded or underfunded
marred by weak, inefficient and less transparent administration
unsustainable due to accumulated pension debt
Private Sector was characterized by low coverage and compliance leaving most workers with no and/or inadequate retirement benefit arrangement
The Pension Reform of 2004

 
The Pension Reform Act 2004 introduced the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) to:
provide sustainable, predictable and adequate source of retirement benefits
applies to employees in the Public Service of the Federation, the FCT and the Private Sector organizations with 5 or more employees
Establish the National Pension Commission (PenCom) as the sole regulator and supervisor of pensions matters in Nigeria
Objectives of the Pension Reform

 
Ensure that every worker receives his benefits as and when due
Empower the worker
Assist workers to save in order to cater for their livelihood during old age
Stem the growth of outstanding pension liability
Establish uniform rules, regulations and standards for administration of pension matters
Establish strong regulatory & supervisory framework
Coverage of the Contributory Pension Scheme
The Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) coverage by virtue of S. 1 of the PRA:
Public Service of the Federation
Public Service of the FCT
Private Sector Organization with 5 or more employees
States and LGs that have enacted Laws and adopted the CPS
Exemption from the Contributory Pension Scheme by virtue of S. 8 of the PRA:
Pensioners existing before PRA 2004
Persons who had 3 or less years to retire as at June 2004
Judicial Officers by virtue of S. 291 of the 1999 Constitution
Personnel of the Military, Intelligence and Security Services (PRA Amendment Act 2011)

Features of the Contributory Pension Scheme

 
Contributory and fully funded
Shared Responsibility between the employer & employee
Minimum of 15% of monthly emolument
Incremental accumulation of pension funds and assets
 
Based on Individual Retirement Savings Account (RSA)

Portable Accounts
Employee maintains his RSA for life regardless of transfer of service or change of employment
 
Assets privately managed by PFAs and kept by PFCs
Life Insurance Policy maintained by Employer up to three time Annual Total Emolument



CPS Key Institutions: PenCom
The National Pension Commission (PenCom) is the sole regulator and supervisor of the pension industry in Nigeria with mandate to:
Regulate and supervise pension schemes
Formulate, direct and oversee the overall policy on pension matters in Nigeria
Approve, licence and supervise PFA, PFC and other institutions relating to pension matters
Issue Regulations and Guidelines
Maintain National Data Bank on pension matters
Receive and investigate complaints against PFC, PFA and Employer
Enforce sanctions and penalties
CPS Key Institutions: Operators
 
Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs)
Opens RSAs for all employees in liaison with PenCom
Appoints a PFC for receipt of contributions and safe custody of pension funds and assets
Investment of pension funds and assets
Administers retirement benefits to retirees
Provides customer support services including account statement
 
Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs)
Receives pension contributions and informs PFA within 24 hours
Holds pension assets in safe custody in trust for RSA holders and beneficiaries
Executes transactions and other related activities on behalf of the PFA
Closed Pension Fund Custodians (CPFAs)
Reserved for private sector employers that were managing their pension before PRA 2004
 
Approved Existing Private Sector Schemes (AESs)
Pension Transitional Arrangement Departments (PTAD) for Public Service
National Pension Commission (PenCom) regulates and supervises all operators and schemes

Safeguards of the Contributory Pension Scheme
Separation of the function of Management from that of Custody of pension assets
Government Contribution is a charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund
Guarantee of assets in custody by owners of the PFCs and mandatory statutory reserve requirement by PFAs,
Meticulous Investment Limits and Risk Rating
Daily monitoring of pension fund investment
Fit and Proper Persons requirements for pension funds management
Strict Corporate Governance and Disclosure Requirement
Pension assets shall not be used to meet the claim of any creditors or be sold, or granted as loan
Statutory Reserve Fund: PFAs required to set aside 12.5% of PAT to absorb any losses
Strict compliance to Rules and Regulations by Operators: Requirement for appointment of Compliance Officers
Scheme is strictly regulated and supervised by PenCom
Compliance with PRA 2004 by Employers
Remittance of Contributions - Sec. 11(5), Sec. 11(7)
Provision of Information - Sec. 90
Opening of RSAs by employees - Sec. 11(1)
Transfer of legacy pension assets to licensed operators- Sec. 44 and 46
Funding of CPFA - Sec. 39(1)(g)
Funding of Existing Pension Schemes - Sec. 39(1)(g)
Provision of Group Life Insurance Policy for employees - Sec. 9(3)
Compliance with S.16 of the Public Procurement Act 2007 by public sector employers in award of contracts
Enforcement Mechanisms

 
Administrative Mechanisms:
Public Enlightenment
Collaboration with other Regulatory Authorities
Imposition of Regime of Sanctions and Penalties
Engagement of Recovery Agents
Judicial Mechanisms:
Institute criminal and civil actions, as appropriate, for infractions Relevant Courts
Federal High Court, National Industrial Court, Investment and Securities Tribunal
Benefits Administration under the CPS
Grounds for Accessing Retirement Benefits in the RSA governed by Sec. 3 & 5 of PRA 2004 Retirement or attaining the age of 50yrs, whichever is later
Incapacitation
Death/Missing Person
Modes of pension payments: Sec. 4 of the PRA 2004
Programmed Withdrawal offered by PFAs Not less than 50% of terminal monthly emoluments Purchase of Annuity from Life Insurance companies RSA balance applied wholly or in part to pay premium
Regular payments of annuity by an Insurance company for life
Lump sum withdrawal May be withdrawn before programmed withdrawal or annuity
Subject to balance on RSA
Benefits Administration under the CPS…Cont’d
Pensioners receiving their benefits under the CPS as at March, 2014 stood at:
Programmed Withdrawal
No. on PW - 86,628
Cumulative Lump-sum - N115.71 Billion
Average monthly withdrawal - N24.72 Billion
 
Life Annuity
No. of Annuitants - 9,212
Cumulative Lump-sum - N20.48 Billion
Premium - N45.27 Billion
Average monthly payments - N465.13 Million
Customer Service Delivery under the CPS
A number of measures have been adopted in the industry to improve service delivery
Know Your Customer (KYC) techniques for proper monitoring of client needs
Client feedback mechanism
Development of follow-up models for settlement of outstanding client issues
Establishment of Contact Centres


Pension Fund Investment Portfolio



PENSION ASSETS DISTRIBUTION AS AT MARCH, 2014

 

Domestic Ordinary Shares
566,570.62
13.72
Foreign Ordinary Shares
52,930.71
1.28
Total FGN Securities
2,638,414.69
63.91
State Govt. Securities
197,671.35
4.79
Corporate Debt Securities
80,457.96
1.95
Supra-National Bonds
1,730.35
0.04
Local Money Market Securities
318,080.63
7.7
Foreign Money Market Securities
1,015.42
0.02
Open/Close-End Funds
20,762.36
0.5
Real Estate Property
153,237.53
3.71
Private Equity Fund
51,406.08
1.25
Cash & Other Assets
46,008.74
1.11
Total Pension Fund Assets
4,128,286.43
100
 


The Role of Pensions in an Emerging Economy

Provides Social Security by alleviating old age poverty


Ensures that every pensioner receives pension as and when due
 
The CPS stems further growth of pension liabilities
Fully funded towards future pension obligations
Curtailment of the burgeoning pension liabilities of Federal and State Governments
Supports Economic Development
An efficient avenue for Infrastructure and economic development
Availability of investible funds to support the development of the real sector
Stimulates Job Creation
Employment generation both directly and through third party service providers to the pension industry

Pension Assets and Economic Development
Globally, pension funds partner with other institutional investors such as DFIs and asset managers, to finance infrastructure development and
The investments were mainly in core projects such as toll roads, highways, rails, etc
The long term nature of pension funds makes them suitable for this type of financing
Current Approved Asset Classes & Portfolio Limits


Flow of Development & Wealth Creation from Pension Assets
Contributory Pension Scheme: The Journey So Far
Initially licensed 26 PFAs, 7 CPFAs and 5 PFCs
Presently reduced to 20 PFAs, 7 CPFAs and 4 PFCs due to mergers and acquisitions
Number of registered contributors is over 5,980,415 as at February 2014
There are 95,840 retirees currently receiving pensions as and when due under the CPS as at March 2014
Total pension fund assets had grown to over N4.13 trillion as at March 2014
Nigerian CPS has become a model for other African countries: Study visitations from Ghana, Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania

Outlook & Next Steps
Enactment of the PRA 2014 to facilitate compliance and enforcement, enhance supervisory powers of the Commission, expand coverage of the CPS, create enabling environment for investment in the real sector
Repositioning the Nigerian Pension industry for the next decade
Building capacity in the industry and engaging the services of skilled and experienced financial advisers for deal structuring
Sustained support for initiatives to provide affordable housing and infrastructure development
Outlook & Next Steps…… Cont’d
 
Deploying strategies for increased compliance by employers, participation by the Informal Sector and adoption of the CPS by States & Local Governments
Collaboration with other Regulators and stakeholders in the Financial Services Sector to create enabling environment for investment in infrastructure and housing:
Taxation
Land titling and registration
Credit enhancement (FGN guarantee)
Sensitization and capacity building
Reorganizing the administration of public sector pensions and repositioning the PTAD
Continual review of extant laws and regulations
Thank you.