PenCom announces new capital base for pension fund operators

By Taiye Olayemi

The National Pension Commission (PenCom) said it has reviewed the minimum capital requirements for Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) and Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs) in line with the Pension Reform Act 2014 and global best practices.

The commission disclosed this in a circular signed by Mr Saleem Abdulrahman, Director of Surveillance Department, PenCom.

It added that the review of the capital base will also strengthen the financial stability of the pension industry.

The circular read, “PFAs will now be required to maintain capital levels proportionate to their Assets Under Management (AUM), while PFCs will align their capital thresholds with Assets Under Custody (AUC).

“For PFAs, operators with AUM of N500 billion and above will be required to maintain a minimum of N20 billion, plus one per cent of the excess above N500 billion.

“Also, PFAs with AUM below N500 billion are to maintain a capital base of N20 billion.”

The commission further disclosed that special-purpose PFAs such as NPF Pensions Ltd. would require N30 billion, while the Nigerian University Pension Management Company Ltd. would maintain N20 billion.

“The minimum capital for new PFA licences was pegged at N20 billion with immediate effect.

“Similarly, the capital requirement for PFCs has been raised from N2 billion, set in 2004, to N25 billion plus 0.1 per cent of AUC.

“New PFC licences will also attract a minimum capital requirement of N25 billion.

“PenCom explained that the adjustments were necessary to reflect the exponential growth of pension assets, the increasing complexity of operations, and the need for robust technology, cybersecurity and improved service delivery.”

The commission gave operators until Dec. 31, 2026, to comply with the new thresholds.

“Compliance will thereafter be monitored biennially using audited financial statements, with any identified shortfalls to be rectified within 90 days,” it added.

(NAN)