Delivering a presentation on ‘Understanding the RSA Transfer Process’ at a seminar organized by PenCom for journalists in Lagos, the Assistant General Manager, National Databank Management Department, Hajiya Maryam Bello, explained that PenCom stipulated regulations for the transfer process and these regulations have four major objectives which are to ensure a seamless transfer of RSAs from one PFA to another; facilitate full and equitable pension assets portability within the pension industry; enhance ethical competition among the PFAs, and improve service delivery to RSA holders.
She explained that the transfer window was delayed to ensure that the necessary Information Technology (IT) infrastructure was in place, which is why the process was completed in June 2019 with the deployment of an Enhanced Contributor Registration System (ECRS).
According to her, the ECRS includes extensive validations, controls, and data requirements that will provide the industry with high data integrity standards. She went on to say that RSA must upgrade their details to meet the ECRS standard because it is a requirement for RSA transfers.
Bello stated that those who registered with various PFAs between the inception of the CPS and June 2019 must be recaptured.
And for those who are yet to be recaptured, she said explained that all RSA holders who need to be recaptured are recaptured as soon as possible, the Commission has approved the appointment of two agents to carry out a nationwide recapture exercise beginning in August 2021. “The agents are to recapture all employees of various employers, both public and private, regardless of their PFAs, and the exercise will be structured and carried out following the PenCom timetable.” she said.
Eligibility
In terms of transfer eligibility, she stated, “Only recaptured RSA holders and those who registered after June 2019 can transfer their RSAs.” Active contributors and retirees on Programmed Withdrawal can transfer their RSAs. Retirees who are receiving an annuity and making voluntary contributions can also transfer their RSAs. Furthermore, RSA holders can only make subsequent RSA transfers 365 days after the effective date of their last RSA transfer.
Initiation of the process
She explained the transfer process, saying that RSA holders must initiate RSA transfer requests with their new PFAs (Receiving PFAs), and the information required for initiation includes name, pin, email, and other necessary information.
The next step is for RPFAs to submit RSA transfer requests to PenCom. RPFAs obtain authorization from RSA holders to submit RSA transfer requests, and RSA holders sign confirmation slips.
She pointed out that confirmation slips serve two functions: authorization for RSA holders and transaction receipts.
Processing, Approval and Transferring
She stated that all requests are processed by PenCom and that RSA holders must be authenticated by PenCom on ECRS and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Database to ensure that RSA transfer requests are initiated by genuine RSA holders.
“Transferring of RSAs involve re-assignment of PINs on the ECRS to the new PFAs, as well as the transfer of pension assets and the records of the affected RSAs from the old PFAs to the new PFAs,” she explained. On the fourth working day following the Effective Transfer Date (ETD), PenCom re-assigns all transferred RSAs to its database. On the fourth and fifth working days following ETD, TPFAs transfer RSA balances to RPFAs. TPFAs transfer RSA holders’ files containing all RSA-related records to the new PFAs in a maximum of seven working days for retirees and one month for active RSA holders.
Notification of transfer
When their RSAs are transferred, RSA holders are notified via email. As a result, they must provide valid email addresses when initiating their RSA transfers. An RSA holder must notify his employer of his new PFA and provide the details as soon as he receives the notification.
Post-Transfer Process
“PenCom monitors various aspects of PFA operations after each transfer quarter to ensure that information provided by them for previous transfer quarters is accurate,” she explained.
She then advised that RSA holders must make informed decisions when transferring their RSAs. They should visit the Commission’s website regularly for more information to make this decision.
Source: The Sun
