PenCom introduces annual ‘I Am Alive’ verification for CPS retirees

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The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has introduced a mandatory annual “I Am Alive” verification exercise for retirees receiving monthly pensions under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), in a move aimed at strengthening accountability, preventing fraud and ensuring that pension benefits are paid only to eligible beneficiaries.

The directive was contained in a circular dated July 3, 2026, and signed by the Director of Surveillance Department, A. M. Saleem, obtained by Daily Economy today.

According to PenCom, the initiative forms part of broader efforts to improve retirees’ welfare while safeguarding the integrity and sustainability of the pension system.

The commission said the exercise would confirm that retirees are alive and eligible to continue receiving monthly pensions and health insurance benefits, while also updating records and preventing payment leakages arising from deceased or ineligible beneficiaries.

Under the operational framework, the verification exercise will be conducted annually, although PenCom said it reserves the right to carry out mid-year spot checks where necessary.

To make the process more convenient, Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) are required to provide both digital and physical verification options.

For digital verification, retirees will be able to use official mobile applications, secure web portals or participate in remote video verification, particularly for those with mobility or health challenges. The commission directed PFAs to securely record and retain video verification records for at least five years.

Physical verification will also be available at PFA offices and designated centres nationwide, while outreach teams are expected to visit retirees in remote communities as well as elderly or infirm pensioners.

PenCom said retirees will register using their Retirement Savings Account (RSA) Personal Identification Number and the telephone number or email linked to their RSA, with PFAs required to implement two-factor authentication.
As part of the exercise, PFAs will capture live photographs of retirees and validate them against the commission’s database.

The circular also requires PFAs to begin awareness campaigns at least 30 days before each verification exercise through SMS, email, WhatsApp, radio and their websites.

PenCom warned that retirees who fail to complete the verification once every 12 months will be granted a three-month grace period, after which their monthly pension payments will be temporarily suspended. PFAs are also required to notify the retiree’s next of kin immediately after such suspension.

The commission further stated that where suspension lasts for 12 months, affected retirees will also be removed from the health insurance scheme until verification is completed.

PenCom emphasised that verification will remain open throughout the year and directed PFAs to display disclaimers informing retirees that neither the commission nor PFAs will request ATM card details or charge any fee for the exercise.

The circular takes effect from December 1, 2026, while PenCom warned that non-compliance by PFAs will attract sanctions in line with its regulatory framework.