Bangladesh slightly increases universal pension scheme returns

The National Pension Authority has raised the age limit for nominees to receive pension benefits following the death of a subscriber under the universal pension scheme, extending it from 75 to 80 years.

That means the primary pensioner will receive benefits for life, while their nominee or spouse will be entitled to draw the pension until reaching 80 years of age.

The government has also marginally increased the return rate for subscribers on investments made during the 2025-26 financial year, adjusting it from 11.68 percent to 11.72 percent.

The profit rate was approved on Thursday during the fourth meeting of the National Pension Authority's board of directors, chaired by Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, the finance ministry said in a press note.

According to the statement, the board reviewed the investment returns generated in the 2025-26 fiscal year before approving the new distribution rate.

Following the decision, subscriber accounts will be credited at the newly determined rate based on their respective investments for that fiscal year.

Three years after its launch, 379,920 subscribers have registered under the scheme’s four programmes, with total deposits amounting to Tk 2.88 billion.

The meeting also discussed introducing health insurance under the universal pension scheme.

Further analysis, however, will be conducted to determine the operational model, assess potential financial losses or risks, and formulate appropriate risk-adjustment mechanisms before taking a final decision.