ADMINISTRATION OF PENSION SCHEME AND PENSIONERS’ WELFARE: A STUDY OF ADAMAWA STATE PENSION BOARD, FROM 2004-2014

ADMINISTRATION OF PENSION SCHEME AND PENSIONERS’ WELFARE: A STUDY OF ADAMAWA STATE PENSION BOARD, FROM 2004-2014

Abstract:

In Nigeria, myriad of pension reforms have been undertaken to improve retirees’ welfare through sound pension administration but all to no avail. In Adamawa State, series of complaints have been lodged to Public Complaint Commission (PCC) in the State by the pensioners seeking for justice on the poor administration of their pension and gratuity usually seen through delay, under payment and stoppage of the payment of their retirement benefits by the Adamawa State Pension Board. The study therefore, focused on the Administration of Pension Scheme in Adamawa State Pension Board. Specifically, it examined how delay in payment, under payment and the stoppage of the payment of retirees affect pensioners’ welfare in Adamawa State. The Social contract theory by Thomas Hobbes (1651) was used as a theoretical framework for the study, because of it can diagnose the contractual relationship between the government and its citizenry, particularly its retired workers. Primary and secondary data were utilized. Primary data were sourced through the use of questionnaire, interview and observation instruments, while secondary sources comprise official documents such as Adamawa State Pension Law, PCC Register of Cases, Pensioners’ Register in the Pension Board, labour Act etc. The qualitative data from interview backed by observation were descriptively analyzed while Chi-square statistical tool was used to test the hypotheses formulated. It was revealed that delay in payment; under payment and the stoppage of the payment of retirees’ benefits have effects on pensioners’ welfare in Adamawa State. It was found that the effects of the maladministration on pensioners’ welfare via the indicators above, included their inabilities to meet up with the necessities of life such as shelter, health facilities, food, children’s school fees etc. it was also found that inadequate funding, political interference in the activities of the Board and inadequate trained personnel are responsible for the problems. It was therefore recommended that Adamawa State government should adopt the new contributory pension Act 2004 which is perceived as a solution to the problems of Pay As You Go Scheme currently in use by the state. Government should also be more committed in funding of the Board. Staff training should be adequate for efficient service delivery and there should be non-political interference in the activities of the Pension Board.

ADMINISTRATION OF PENSION SCHEME AND PENSIONERS’ WELFARE: A STUDY OF ADAMAWA STATE PENSION BOARD, FROM 2004-2014

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