The Government of Bangladesh introduced the Universal Pension Scheme (সর্বজনীন পেনশন স্কিম) to provide social security and financial stability for citizens in their retirement years. Designed to cover different segments of the economy—from private sector corporate employees to low-income informal workers—the scheme offers a guaranteed, tax-free lifetime monthly payout starting at age 60. This comprehensive guide walks you through the eligibility criteria, explains the 4 packages, details the official registration steps, and shows you how to estimate your future pension payouts.
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria
Before registering on the upension portal, check the basic eligibility rules set by the National Pension Authority (NPA):
- Age Requirement: Any Bangladeshi citizen aged between 18 and 50 years is eligible to enroll. Citizens over 50 but under 60 can also join under special terms, but must contribute for a minimum of 10 consecutive years to qualify for pensions.
- NID Requirement: A valid National Identity Card (NID) is mandatory. The system automatically fetches your biometric data to verify your age.
- Exclusions: Government and semi-government employees who receive traditional government pensions, as well as individuals receiving direct social safety net subventions, are excluded.
The Four Universal Pension Packages
The scheme is structured into four distinct packages tailored to different socio-economic groups:
| Scheme Name | Target Population | Monthly Contribution Options |
|---|---|---|
| Pragoti (প্রগতি) | Private company employees, managers, and corporate organizations | ৳2,000 | ৳3,000 | ৳5,000 | ৳10,000 |
| Probash (প্রবাস) | Non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) working overseas | ৳5,000 | ৳7,500 | ৳10,000 (Payable in FX) |
| Surokkho (সুরক্ষা) | Self-employed citizens (farmers, freelancers, shopkeepers, etc.) | ৳1,000 | ৳2,000 | ৳3,000 | ৳5,000 |
| Samata (সমতা) | Low-income citizens earning under ৳60,000 per year | ৳1,000 total (৳500 user deposit + ৳500 government subsidy) |
Step-by-Step Registration Guide
The entire enrollment process is digital and completed on the official upension.gov.bd portal. Follow these steps:
- 1Visit the Official Portal: Navigate to upension.gov.bd and click on the 'Pensioner Registration' (পেনশনার রেজিস্ট্রেশন) button.
- 2Agree to Terms: Read the declaration and confirm that you are not a government employee or receiving social safety net support.
- 3Enter Identity Details: Select your scheme type and input your NID number, Date of Birth, mobile number, and email. Verify the OTP sent to your phone.
- 4Enter Address & Work: Fill in your current and permanent address, and input details of your monthly income and occupation.
- 5Setup Bank Details: Enter your bank account name, account number, account type, and bank routing number. This allows the system to set up automated monthly electronic fund transfers (EFT) for installments.
- 6Nominee Registration: Provide nominee details (Name, NID/Birth Certificate, relationship, and their share percentage). You can add multiple nominees.
Tip
Installments can be paid monthly, quarterly, or annually. If you miss a deadline, you can pay within a grace period without penalty. To estimate your exact accumulated deposits, government interest yields, and monthly payouts, use our free [Universal Pension Scheme Calculator](/universal-pension-scheme-calculator).