377,545 people registered under pension schemes
A total of 377,545 people have registered under four pension schemes launched under the National Pension Authority.
The total deposits in the pension fund under the Probash, Progoti, Surokkha and Somota schemes have reached around Tk 255.70 crore. Including profits, the total investment so far stands at Tk 279.74 crore.
According to the Finance Ministry, nearly 375,000 people joined the scheme in the first year, while only around 5,000 more joined in the following 20 months.
The National Pension Authority disclosed the information in a press release on the schemes up to 30 April this year.
A meeting on the progress, challenges and future action plan of the Universal Pension Scheme was held at the ministry’s conference room on Tuesday, chaired by Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury. Finance Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Majumder, National Pension Authority Executive Chairman Dr Md Suratuzzaman and other senior officials attended the meeting.
According to the press release, the executive chairman of the National Pension Authority gave a detailed presentation on the current status of the Universal Pension Scheme.
The meeting noted that around 85 percent of Bangladesh’s total labour force is engaged in the informal sector. It also said the old-age dependency ratio is projected to rise from 9.4 percent in 2023 to 24 percent in 2050 and 48 percent in 2075.
In view of these future demographic changes, the meeting highlighted the need to make the Universal Pension Scheme stronger and more inclusive.
The finance minister emphasised expanding the Universal Pension Scheme and instructed officials to set a target of bringing at least one member from each of the country’s nearly four crore families under the scheme by 2030.
He also expressed a positive view on launching a Shariah-based pension scheme, considering lifetime pension benefits for nominees, and including outsourced workers under the Progoti scheme to make the scheme more attractive.
The meeting was also informed that the Asian Development Bank has pledged $100 million in concessional loans for a project to strengthen the universal pension system, and that feasibility assessment activities are underway.
Officials also said arrangements have been made to collect contributions through 45 banks and financial institutions, bKash, Nagad and Teletalk, while registration activities are being carried out through Union Digital Centres.
The finance minister said that, according to the current government’s 2026 election manifesto, forming a pension fund to ensure old-age financial security for private-sector employees is one of its major commitments.
He stressed the need to build public trust in the Universal Pension Scheme, strengthen publicity campaigns, ensure cybersecurity, and recruit skilled and professional manpower.
