The Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) Pensioners Committee has publicly criticized the Cabinet’s recent decision not to reinstate pensions for members backdated to 2012, labeling the decision as both unjust and unacceptable. In a formal communication dated February 27, 2026, Committee Chair Ross McDonald expressed the group’s dissatisfaction with statements made by Finance Minister Esrom Immanuel and is now seeking an urgent meeting with both the Minister and Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to address the issue.
This group, representing approximately 1,400 pensioners affected by the changes made in 2012, argues that their life pensions were unlawfully reduced and that the agreements made with the Fund have been violated. The Committee highlights that many of the pensioners impacted are elderly and in deteriorating health, thus emphasizing the urgency of their situation.
In their response, the Committee challenges the government’s assertion that restoring full pensions would compromise the financial stability of the FNPF. They pointed out the existence of a Pension Buffer Fund established back in 1975, questioning why these funds could not be utilized to meet pension obligations.
The Cabinet’s decision, as articulated earlier, cited constitutional grounds and concerns over financial burden. It was argued that the changes made in 2012 were necessary after assessments indicated that pension payouts were surpassing the members’ accumulated savings. The cost of restoring these pensions is estimated at around $582 million, which includes $372 million for back payments and $210 million for future liabilities. The Cabinet referred to Section 173(3) of the 2013 Constitution, which prohibits retroactive alterations to the legal implications of the 2012 reforms, cautioning that utilizing Fund resources for back payments could adversely impact member balances and strain the National Budget.
Despite this setback, the Coalition Government did confirm that effective from August 1, 2024, affected pensioners would see the return of payments on a prospective basis, funded by taxpayers at an anticipated cost of $57 million over time. The Pensioners’ Committee maintains that the matter is far from resolved and has called for renewed discussions to find a feasible solution.
This ongoing dialogue between the parties involved is a positive step forward, indicating a willingness to revisit and negotiate a resolution for those whose livelihoods have been significantly impacted by the changes over the years. As these discussions progress, there is hope for both fair compensation and improved support for the affected pensioners.