All scheduled banks will ensure their officers and employees are enrolled in the Pragati programme under the Universal Pension Scheme (UPS), as the government targets bringing four million families under post-retirement financial protection by 2030.
The government decision came at a high-level review meeting held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Ministry of Finance in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday.
The session, chaired by Financial Institutions Division Secretary Nazma Mobarek, included representatives from Bangladesh Bank and managing directors of all scheduled banks and focused on accelerating private-sector participation in UPS.
Md Suratuzzaman, Executive Chairman of the National Pension Authority (NPA), presented the progress of UPS and outlined the features of Pragati.
Nearly 18 million registered private-sector workers currently lack formal post-retirement financial protection, while the government ensures it for all its employees.
Pragati provides a sustainable solution for employees outside government service, offering Shariah-compliant pension options, lifelong pension benefits for nominees, and coverage for outsourced staff.
Starting in 2023, the NPA manages four UPS schemes. Pragati is aimed at private-sector employees and company owners, with contributions shared equally between the employee and the employer.
Surokkha covers informal-sector workers such as farmers, rickshaw pullers, fishermen, and weavers, allowing them to contribute at a prescribed rate.
Samata targets low-income individuals living below the poverty line, with the government providing matching contributions.
The Probashi scheme is designed for Bangladeshis working abroad, who can contribute via foreign remittances or local bank accounts and receive pensions in local currency upon returning.
Under Pragati, employees and employers contribute equally to the monthly subscription, which ranges from Tk1,000 to Tk15,000. Retired employees receive lifelong pension payments, while both contributions and pensions remain tax-exempt.
Pensioners may receive up to 30 per cent of the accumulated corpus as gratuity after reaching 60 years of age, while the schemes are guaranteed by the state.
The meeting discussed the introduction of Shariah-compliant pension options, lifelong pension benefits for nominees, and coverage for outsourced staff.
NPA officials reported that as of 30 May 2026, 377,930 people were enrolled across the four schemes, with total contributions nearing Tk260 crore and a fund size of Tk286 crore.
The authority has signed memorandums of understanding with 48 banks and financial institutions, and 24 banks are actively managing contributions and disbursements.
The meeting resolved that Bangladesh Bank representatives and all scheduled bank managing directors would take necessary steps to enrol their employees under Pragati.
In her closing remarks, Nazma Mobarek instructed managing directors to establish dedicated UPS desks in branches, display banners, integrate UPS promotion into marketing activities, and ensure all private bank officers and employees are covered under the scheme.
The session was conducted by NPA Assistant General Manager Ayesha Haque.
