The Federal Government has commenced a free healthcare initiative targeted at low-income pensioners under Nigeria’s Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), offering medical support to retirees earning N70,000 or less monthly.
The programme, known as PenCare, is being implemented through the National Pension Commission (PenCom) as part of efforts to ease the growing burden of healthcare expenses on elderly Nigerians living on modest pensions.
According to PenCom, the pilot phase is specifically designed for retirees who are at least 60 years old and receive monthly pensions not exceeding N70,000 from Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs). Registration has already commenced nationwide for up to 30,000 eligible pensioners on a first-come, first-served basis.
The commission said beneficiaries can register through the official PenCom portal or through designated PFAs across the country.
PenCom described the initiative as a healthcare intervention aimed at preserving the dignity and well-being of retirees struggling with rising medical bills amid economic hardship and inflation.
“The National Pension Commission invites retirees under the CPS to enrol in the free healthcare initiative, PenCare,” the commission stated in its notice announcing the rollout.
The scheme is also linked to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader social protection reforms. In August 2025, the President directed the accelerated implementation of free healthcare access for low-income retirees, while also calling for improved pension welfare and a minimum pension guarantee for vulnerable retirees.
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PenCom said PenCare is structured as a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative within the pension industry, focusing on improving healthcare access for retirees who often face severe financial pressure after leaving active service.
The development has been welcomed by stakeholders as a significant relief for pensioners, particularly in view of Nigeria’s rising healthcare costs and inflationary pressures which have eroded the purchasing power of many retirees.
