The Executive Secretary, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate, Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor, has said that federal retirees who have not been earning pensions will be placed on the payroll after verification.

She spoke during the verification of federal civil service pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme in Lagos on Monday.

The PTAD boss also said that the Federal Government was working out modalities to settle the arrears of the 33 per cent increase in retirees’ pensions.

“Between four and five months after verification, those not on the payroll will be returned and will start earning pensions. All those on the payroll are been verified and if they have any other complaint, it will be rectified during this verification,” Ikeazor said.

The executive secretary noted that those been verified were civil service, police, paramilitary and parastatals pensioners.

According to her, the Federal Government pays N7.5bn monthly to retirees in the old pension scheme, adding that the fund was always released regularly.

While speaking on the 33 per cent arrears, Ikeazor noted that the Minister of Finance presented the pension liabilities to the Federal Executive Council and got approval to raise bonds and promissory notes to clear them.

Ikeazor said, “A total of 21,295 pensioners are expected to be verified in five centres in Alausa, Yaba, Ketu, Amuwo Odofin and Agege. The process will take four distinct steps for capturing their biodata and other relevant documents for them to be suitably placed on the payroll and database for payment of their monthly pensions.

“The sick and the infirm will be covered in their locations. A total of 108 PTAD staff members are being deployed for the exercise.”