The Military Pensions Board (MPB), Thursday, began payment of the first and second tranches of the Security Debarment Allowance (SDA), to eligible military retirees/Next of Kins (NOKs), of deceased military personnel.

Chairman, Military Pension Board, Rear Admiral Saburi Abayomi Lawal, who announced this in a statement, also, added that, the current payment is for 1st, and 2nd, Quarters of 2023.

He said, the Board will ensure prompt payment of subsequent tranches of this arrears, once funds are made available.

The Chairman, said, the payment is sequel to the approval given by President  Muhammadu Buhari, for the payment of the Security Debarment Allowance (SDA) to military retirees who originally were not covered by the 9 November 2017 effective date and the agreement reached at the ensuing tripartite meetings of the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Finance and representatives of the Veteran Associations.

The payment, which is in fulfilment of the Presidential approval of the provisions of the reviewed Manual of Financial Administration (MAFA) 2017, he said, will commence on Thursday 5 January 2023.

The beneficiaries of these payments, he noted, are, military retirees on MPB database who retired before 9 November 2017, deceased military retirees who were alive when the MAFA was signed on 9 November 2017 and non pensionable retirees who retired before 9 November 2017 but were only paid gratuities.

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The Chairman however, told the retirees that the SDA is calculated as a function of 10% of the retiree’s annual basic salary as at the time of retirement multiplied by the number of years served in the services.

The Board said: “All concerned military pensioners and NOKs of deceased military personnel are therefore advised to contact their banks for their entitlements. On behalf of our esteemed military pensioners, the Board wishes to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his immense support, most especially to military retirees and the NOKs of deceased military personnel.

“Also, the Board extends its appreciation to the Hon. Minister of Defence, Maj Gen BS Magashi (Rtd), Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen LEO Irabor as well as the Service Chiefs for their constant support and interventions towards ensuring that funds for the arrears of the SDA are appropriated for in the 2023 Appropriation Act and cash-backed for immediate payment”.

The Board applauded the military retirees for their patience and understanding during the process of getting funds for commencement of payment of this outstanding allowance.