Military Board Begins Payment Of Retirees Debarment Allowance

The Military Pensions Board, MPB, has commenced the payment of the first and second tranches of the Security Debarment Allowance, SDA to eligible military retirees and Next of Kins of deceased military personnel.

The development came following the approval given by the Nigerian President for the payment of the SDA to military retirees who originally were not covered by the 9 November 2017 effective date and the agreement reached at the ensuing tripartite meetings of the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance and representatives of the Veteran Associations.

In a statement issued by the Board, the payment is in fulfilment of the Presidential approval of the provisions of the reviewed Manual of Financial Administration (MAFA) 2017 which took effect on Thursday 5 January 2023. The beneficiaries of these payments are: military retirees on MPB database who retired before 9 November 2017, deceased military retirees who were alive when the MAFA was signed on 9 November 2017 and non-pensionable retirees who retired before 9 November 2017 but were only paid gratuities.

The board noted that the SDA is calculated as a function of 10% of the retiree’s annual basic salary as at the time of retirement multiplied by the number of years served in the services.

“All concerned military pensioners and Next of Kins of deceased military personnel are therefore advised to contact their banks for their entitlements,”It said.

The board commended President Buhari for his immense support, most especially to military retirees and the next of kins of the  deceased military personnel.

Also, the Board extended its appreciation to the Minister of Defence, Maj Gen BS Magashi (Rtd), Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen LEO Irabor as well as the Service Chiefs for their constant support and interventions towards ensuring that funds for the arrears of the SDA were appropriated for in the 2023 Appropriation Act and cash-backed for immediate payment.

It also commended the military retirees for their patience and understanding during the process of getting funds for commencement of payment of this outstanding allowance.

The board however promised prompt payment of subsequent tranches of the arrears, once funds are made available.

PR/ Mercy Chukwudiebere