THE Fiji National Provident Fund has paid out more than $95 million to 8300 pensioners so far under the new age-based pension scheme.
It includes 4200 pensioners who received their first pension payment yesterday.
Of the $95 million paid out, $53 million was to the first group of 4120 pensioners and $42 million was processed yesterday.
A FNPF statement last night said that about 63 per cent of those that had been paid have opted to come back on to the new pension scheme.
FNPF chief executive officer Aisake Taito said, "This is very encouraging and signifies the acceptance of the new scheme."
The latest payment was processed under the new Pension Administration System, which is an online pension payment platform specifically designed to facilitate pension payments on schedule.
The payment processed yesterday was for pensioners who had been validated, chose an option and complied with the requirements after March 1 this year.
It also included pensioners from the first group whose files were queried.
"Whilst the processing had taken some time, this was necessary as this new system will ensure the integrity and reliability of pension payments under the new scheme," said Mr Taito.
"Again I would like to reiterate that we are dealing with pensioners livelihood involving a significant amount of money and it's very important that we ensure that the amounts transmitted out of the Fund is directed to the right person and the amount paid is reflective of the correct option made by the pensioner."
"Pensioners folders have undergone rigorous tests to ensure that appropriate clearances are obtained to mitigate all possible risks."
Mr Taito said this process identified cases with insufficient details, saying that without these details payment cannot be processed.
"We have 780 pension files that have been retained seeking further clarification as these cases lack essential mandatory information/documentation such as valid bank account, birth, death and marriage certificates."
"We are liaising with these pensioners and re-verifying their details so as to ensure that payment is made to the right person."
Mr Taito commended the pensioners for their patience and understanding on the delay in processing their payment.
"It was an extensive exercise involving cleaning over 11,000 pension files for the first time in over 40 years and introducing new changes under the new scheme."
He assured that those who have remained with the new scheme will receive their scheduled pension payments either on the 14th or the last working day of every month.
The Fund said it will continue to validate and receive completed 9NOP pension option forms from pensioners who had not undertaken the process.
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