The much-anticipated universal pension program was launched on Thursday by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, covering all citizens over the age of 18, according to UNB.
She began by launching four pension plans—Pragati, Surokkha, Samata, and Prabashi—and virtually participating in the opening event from her official residence Gonobhaban in the capital.
The prime minister announced the opening of the program and noted, “We opened the Universal Pension Scheme in the month of mourning. Out of the six plans, four were initially launched today; the other two will follow.
“Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will be happy from heaven seeing that the government is trying to give his people a beautiful and improved life, for which he dedicated his entire life,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina also discussed the initiative’s goals with the Gopalganj, Bagerhat, and Rangpur district recipients as well as the consul general of Bangladesh in Saudi Arabia, who essentially joined the program.
The Pragati program will be applicable to those with private employment, the Surokkha scheme to people who are self-employed, the Samata scheme to people with low incomes, and the Prabashi scheme to Bangladeshis who are living abroad.
The universal pension plan’s primary goal is to include everyone in the nation who is older than 18 in its coverage. Once they turn 60, they will be eligible for a lifetime pension.
Initially set at 50 years of age, the retirement age was later increased. After making installment payments for 10 straight years, those over 50 can also take use of pension benefits.
Governor of the Bangladesh Bank Abdur Rouf Talukder and Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal also spoke at the ceremony.
The event was moderated by the principal secretary to the prime minister, Md. Tofazzel Hossain Miah, and welcomed by senior secretary of the finance division, Fatima Yasmin.
On this day, a film documentary about the Universal Pension Scheme was also shown.
