Voice 9, Dhaka Bureau: The government of Bangladesh has launched a universal pension scheme to bring all citizens under the age of 65 into the country. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated the program at 10 a.m. on Thursday. This facility will be available upon the completion of the person's 60 years in four schemes.
The four schemes are 'Prabas' for expatriate Bangladeshis, 'Pragati' for private employees and institutions, 'Protection' for self-employed and non-institutional workers, and 'Equality' for low-income people.
To participate in these schemes, you have to register as a pensioner by entering the website (www.upension.gov.bd) of the Pension Authority. To register, you have to provide detailed information, including your national identity card number, date of birth, mobile number, and email ID.
Apart from this, the beneficiary will have to pay on a monthly basis to participate in these pension schemes. The monthly donation has been fixed at a minimum of Tk 1,000 to a maximum of Tk 10,000. You have to pay for at least 10 years to get pension benefits. According to the 'Universal Pension Management Bill-2023', all citizens between the ages of 18 and 50 will be able to enjoy lifelong pension benefits after completing 60 years of age by paying the fixed rate.
Bangladeshi workers working abroad can participate in this program. Apart from this, those above 50 years of age will also be able to enjoy pension benefits by paying 10 years of uninterrupted donations. Life expectancy means the pensioner's age is up to 75 years. However, if someone dies before the age of 75 while in pension, his nominee will be entitled to a monthly pension.
In addition, if the donor dies before paying the donation for at least 10 years, the money deposited by him will be returned to the nominee along with the profit. Earlier, on January 24, parliament passed the 'Universal Pension Management Bill-2023' to bring all citizens under the pension.