PenCom to employers: Use of touts, agents to obtain pension clearance certificate illegal

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) says it is illegal for employers and companies to use touts and agents to obtain pension clearance certificates (PCC).

In a statement issued on Friday, the commission said the use of touts and agents is illegal and contrary to the provisions of section 104 (b) and (c) of the Pension Reform Act 2014.

PenCom said the issuance of PCC “is free of charge and the application process is also very easy and transparent”. 

The agency urged employers to deal directly with it on matters relating to the application for the issuance of the PCC.

The commission said certain documents must be submitted before the application can be processed.

“Certified list of employees of the organisation as at the end of the last fiscal year. The certification should be done with an authorised official of the applicant organization,” PenCom said. 

“Certified rate of monthly pension contributions (specifying employer and employee rates). 

“The rates relating to the monthly emoluments are a minimum of ten percent (10%) by the employer; and a Minimum of eight percent (8%) by the employee.

“Evidence of remittance of monthly pension contributions for all employees as follows: For the last three fiscal years for organizations that were in existence for that period and have three (3) or more staff. 

“For organisations that have not been in existence for the last three fiscal years, from the date of incorporation/registration/licensing to the last fiscal year.

“Evidence of remittance of all outstanding pension contributions and penalties (for late remittance). 

“Evidence of transfer of pension fund and assets held prior to the commencement of the contributory pension scheme (CPS) to a licensed pension fund operator. 

“This is only applicable to organisations that had pension arrangements or were in the custody of pension assets before June 2004.

“Evidence of current group life insurance policy procured for the staff of the organisation specifying the number of lives and sum assured.”    

PenCom said it takes seven working days to process applications submitted with full documentation. 

“The application is currently in the process of automation. Until this is completed, certificates of compliance can be picked up at the offices where applications were submitted,” it added. 

“Applications can be submitted at either the commission’s head office at Plot 174, Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja, or any of its zonal offices in the six (6) geo-political zones. 

“Details of the zonal offices can be found on the commission’s website, www.pencom.gov.ng.”

PenCom added that applicants can track their applications by visiting the commission’s website where the list of organisaions that are issued clearance certificates is updated daily.