FNPF pensioners affected by 2011 decision can access the Govt’s Social Pension Scheme through FNPF

FNPF pensioners whose pension rates were reduced by the previous military regime in 2011, will be allowed to access Government’s Social Pension Scheme which is effective from August 2023 as announced by the coalition government in the 2023-2024 National Budget.

The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection says an average of 1,500 FNPF pensioners were affected, and the payment was facilitated by the Ministry through their Social Pension Scheme.

They also say that since August 2023, the Ministry began to process applications for around 200 of the 1,500 affected FNPF pensioners.

They say in December, the Government reviewed the process and made the decision that these FNPF pensioners would be better off served by FNPF for various reasons such as ease of operations and disbursement of their allowances as the Fund already had pensioners' information including their respective bank details.

The Ministry advises the affected FNPF pensioners that due to this review, the government has paid out the promised increased allowances effective from August 2023 to the Fiji National Provident Fund in December and the Fund will now facilitate the payment of allowances to the affected pensioners' accounts.

They further say that these FNPF pensioners will remain with FNPF and are no longer required to access their pension through the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection.