Most of the Bangladeshi families are concerned about old age planning, especially those who do not have a government job or company pension. The Universal Pension Scheme was tailor-made for this gap. If you are interested in a guide on how to register for the Universal Pension Scheme today, this guide simplifies the whole form process into simple steps to follow from your phone or computer.
What is the Universal Pension Scheme?
Under the Universal Pension Scheme of the National Pension Authority, any citizen between the ages of 18 and 50 can pay a fixed monthly contribution and receive a pension for life after the age of 60. Over 50 special terms The government covers half the contribution under four schemes: Probash for foreigners, Progoti for private sector workers, Surokkha for informal sector workers such as rickshaw pullers and farmers, and Somota for low-income citizens.
What you will need Before you begin
- Valid National ID card (NID) or passport (if you are an expat and don’t have one) OTP verification via active mobile number.
- Bank account info (account number, branch, routing number)
- Nominee NID Number Date of Birth Payment bKash, Nagad, online banking or debit/credit card
Step by Step Registration Guide
- Go to the official website – Go to www.upension.gov.bd. Do not use any third party Apps or agents claiming to register for you as this is a government run platform and does not need a middle man.
- Click on Pensioner Registration – You can usually find this button on the home page and in the top right corner.
- Enter NID, date of birth and mobile no – Enter captcha & validate with OTP sent on your mobile.
- Choose your scheme – Select from Probash, Progoti, Surokkha or Somota according to your work and income situation.
- Contributions – are always welcome and you can make them as often as you like. Usually, fixed amounts like Tk 1,000, Tk 2,000 or Tk 5,000 can be chosen on a monthly, quarterly or yearly basis.
- Add your bank details – Enter the account name, account number, account type, bank branch and routing number.
- Provide nominee details – If you want to add more than one nominee, then you need to give their NID number, date of birth, mobile number, relationship with you and their share.
- View full version – The system displays all the information entered by you, personal, scheme, bank and nominee details for your final check before submission.
- Pay here – Pay by bKash, Nagad, Online Banking or Card. This mobile-first option is critically important in Bangladesh where a lot of people, especially in rural areas, do not use formal banking on a regular basis.
- Don’t lose your Pensioner ID – Once you have paid you will receive an SMS with your Pensioner ID. Create a password for future login and download your Universal Pension Identity Card.
No Internet? No problem
If you are not comfortable with online forms, you can visit any branch of Sonali Bank and apply through paper form or get help from a Union Digital Center or local Internet Café.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it possible to register without a National ID card?
People who don’t have an NID can register with their passport details.
2. Can I change my plan or contribution amount at a later stage?
Yes, you can change your contribution amount or switch schemes after registration if your income situation changes.
3. What happens if I miss a payment every month?
Any fine applicable will be intimated to you through SMS so it’s better to pay on time to escape the penalty.
4. Pension taxable?
No, you get tax deduction for your contributions and the monthly pension you receive later is tax free.
Summary
Retirement security is no longer only for government employees. The Universal Pension Scheme lets any Bangladeshi citizen, at home or abroad, save monthly and receive a lifelong pension after 60. This guide walks you through registration on upension.gov.bd, choosing a scheme, adding bank and nominee details, and making your first payment, step by step.
