By Admin
The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has introduced a mandatory annual verification tagged “I Am Alive” for all retirees receiving monthly pensions under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS).
PenCom explained that the initiative, which would take effect from December 1, 2026, was aimed at strengthening accountability, preventing fraud, and ensuring that pension benefits are paid only to eligible beneficiaries
The directive is contained in a circular dated July 3, 2026, signed by the Director of the Surveillance Department, A. M. Saleem, and obtained by Daily Economy.
According to PenCom, the exercise is also part of broader efforts to improve retirees’ welfare while safeguarding the integrity and sustainability of the pension system.
The commission said the annual verification would confirm that retirees remain alive and eligible to continue receiving their monthly pensions and health insurance benefits, while also helping to update records and prevent payment leakages associated with deceased or ineligible beneficiaries.Time & Calendars
Although the exercise will be conducted annually, PenCom said it reserved the right to carry out mid-year spot checks where necessary.
To ease the process for retirees, Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) have been directed to provide both digital and physical verification options.
Under the digital option, retirees may use official mobile applications, secure web portals, or remote video verification, particularly those facing mobility or health challenges. PFAs are also required to securely record and retain video verification records for at least five years.
Physical verification will equally be available at PFA offices and designated centres nationwide, while outreach teams are expected to visit retirees in remote communities as well as elderly and infirm pensioners.
PenCom said retirees would be required to register with their Retirement Savings Account (RSA) Personal Identification Numbers and the telephone numbers or email addresses linked to their RSAs.
PFAs are also required to implement two-factor authentication and capture live photographs of retirees for validation against the commission’s database.
The commission directed PFAs to commence awareness campaigns at least 30 days before each verification exercise through SMS, email, WhatsApp, radio, and their official websites.
However, PenCom warned that retirees who fail to complete the verification within 12 months would be given a three-month grace period, after which their monthly pension payments would be temporarily suspended.
PFAs are also required to immediately notify the affected retiree’s next of kin after such suspension.
The commission further stated that where the suspension continues for 12 months, the affected retiree would also be removed from the health insurance scheme until the verification is completed.
PenCom stressed that the exercise would remain open throughout the year and warned retirees against fraudsters.
It directed PFAs to display disclaimers informing retirees that neither the commission nor PFAs would request ATM card details or charge any fee for the exercise.
The commission also warned that PFAs that fail to comply with the directive would face sanctions in line with its regulatory framework.
