By The Forum

The Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralization says the government has commenced the large-scale disbursement of gratuities and pensions to retired civil servants, starting this month, January 2026.

Secretary to the Treasury Cliff Chiunda said in a statement that the exercise follows Parliament’s approval of an additional K196 billion in the 2025/26 Mid-Year Budget Review, presented by Minister of Finance Joseph Mwanamvekha.

“The initiative underscores Government’s continued commitment to ensuring that retired civil servants receive their terminal benefits in a timely, predictable and orderly manner,” Chiunda said.

He explained that the disbursement is being conducted strictly on a first-come, first-served basis and appealed for calm and patience among retirees as the process continues.

According to Chiunda, the programme aims to reduce the waiting period for payment of pension gratuities from 36 months to less than 12 months by March 2026.

“The Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralization is optimistic that the waiting period will eventually be reduced to three months. The Ministry sincerely thanks all retired civil servants for their patience, cooperation and continued understanding as Government works to clear outstanding pension obligations,” he added.

An estimated 12,000 to 15,000 retired public servants have been awaiting payment of their gratuities and pensions.

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