The Coalition Government is committed to making decisions regarding pensioners in close consultation with the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF). Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, responded to an inquiry from Opposition MP Premila Kumar about the possibility of repealing the 2011 FNPF Transition Act, which would allow pensioners to seek legal recourse if they felt shortchanged. He pointed out that the actions of the previous military government had eroded the trust between the pension fund and its members.
Prasad noted that the past government enacted legislation that prevented pensioners from seeking justice in court for what he termed “unfair treatment.” He revealed that a budget allocation of $4 million was made to reinstate pensions for individuals who had opted for reduced payments, a decision originating back in 2011.
Upon forming the Coalition Government, quick measures were implemented to assist affected pensioners. Those over 70 years old can now access a social pension of $125, while those between 60 and 69 will receive $115. To streamline this process, the Ministry of Finance has partnered with the FNPF to ensure top-up payments to the impacted pensioners. Since August, the government has already dispersed approximately $1.3 million among 1,300 pensioners, with payments aligned with the regular pension disbursement schedule occurring on the 14th and 28th of every month.
This initiative reflects a promising step towards restoring trust and providing financial relief to pensioners who have experienced difficulties in recent years. By addressing these issues and making timely payments, the Coalition Government is working diligently to ensure that pensioners receive the support they need during this challenging time.
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