Former school teacher thankful to FNPF pension scheme
Henry Elder Senior will always be thankful to the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) pensioners scheme.
78-year-old, Mr Elder, yesterday was present the FNPF 53rd Anniversary celebration at the Fund’s headquarters. Several events have been organised to mark this event. FNPF general manager Member Services, Alipate Waqairawai, said the FNPF executives and management team was serving members, pensioners and employers at their main branches as part of their anniversary celebrations.
“Later on in-conjuction with the ATH Foundation we will also be visiting some of our living with disability pensioners to say thank you to them and celebrate with them.
“For us we have a service that we provide, if they can’t come to us because of mobility problems we have a team who actually go out to serve them.”
Mr Waqairawai said because of the reforms the fund has been able to increase the pension payment from $75 to $100.
Mr Elder who is a former school teacher, highlighted:
“This programme is important because it supports us after we retire.
“In the past a lot of people when they finish their work they have no money saved and some of them struggle, and some who live in the rural areas have got the community so they go back and become a member of the community.
“I believe that the pension the FNPF provides is just something that is extra special, gives you confidence that I will retire one day but I will be receiving pension.
“It takes care of the family members, even supports people who want to receive medical attention when required.
“I reckon its something that key organisations, Government and the members of the public should talk about and work on how the programme can be improved. “I can fend for myself. When I have medical needs appear I have enough funding to cater for it. “I have been able to continue my participation in the Sports association I am involved with at no extra costs to them because I pay for my way here and there.
“It just enables me to be interactive and not sitting down and thinking about what will I eat and drink the next day.”
He said the pension has been a life saver and it is something he would like to believe that other pensioners would say.
“It has given me and other pensioners the opportunity to be active after you actually finish working and still take part in activities. “The question is what can we do to ensure that there is some improvements and its a matter of discussing with Government, key employers.
“It just makes a big difference and you will find there are a lot more happier people now as a result of the support from the pension scheme,” Mr Elder said.