Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Nigeria’s largest pension fund administrator, has announced that a framework would be put in place soon to protect and grow pension funds by investing a portion of them in dollar-denominated assets.
The changes, according to the administrator, will address pension contributors’ concerns about the devaluation of their pension account due to the erosion of Naira’s value in the foreign exchange market and domestic price inflation.
Mr. Jide Allo, the Head of Investment Management at Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, revealed the plan yesterday during a virtual wellness session, claiming that it had been a topic of discussion in the pension industry.
Allo explained two fundamental changes that, according to him, will allow pension managers to invest pension funds in dollar-denominated assets and allow contributors to use part of their pension accounts as equity contribution for mortgage or homeownership loans.
He went on to say that the changes would address contributors’ concerns about their pension account devaluing due to Naira’s depreciation in the foreign exchange market and domestic price inflation.
“We are going to see two major changes in the short and medium-term,” Allo said. One of our clients’ main concerns is the depreciation of their pension accounts.
“We are pleased to inform our clients that based on ongoing industry engagements,” he said. We believe that a framework will be in place very soon that will allow us to better protect and grow pension funds by investing a portion of them in dollar-denominated assets.”
He also mentioned that contributors will soon be able to use a portion of their pension assets as an equity contribution for mortgage or home loans. According to him. “these are items that will be added to the ship at any time”.
Source: Thisday
