By Ayomide Otitoju
Access ARM Pensions has intensified its campaign on the benefits of Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVCs), describing them as a reliable pathway to financial stability after retirement.
The message was delivered at a recent virtual webinar themed “Boost Your Retirement: Making the Most of Additional Voluntary Contributions,” which educated participants on how AVCs can enhance long-term financial security and cushion against unforeseen economic challenges.
Speaking at the event, Head of Customer Experience, Olushola Adekunle, said AVCs provide contributors with an opportunity to supplement statutory pension savings and close income gaps that often appear after retirement.
“Retirement does not have to mean a sharp drop in your quality of life,” Adekunle said. “With AVCs, individuals can secure an income that allows them to live in retirement as comfortably as they did while working. What your salary could not do for you while in active service, your pension will not magically fix in retirement, but you can change the outcome by choosing to make AVCs today.”
Head of Benefit Administration, Ayodeji Ayo-Majaro, noted that reforms by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) have made AVCs more attractive. These include a one-year retention rule that allows contributors to withdraw up to 50 per cent of their AVC savings after one year, as well as tax exemptions on both principal and returns for contributions held for at least five years.
“Retirement planning is not just about putting money aside; it is about preserving your quality of life,” Ayo-Majaro said. “AVCs give workers the flexibility to build extra savings during their active years, helping them avoid financial shocks. The scheme’s attractive features—such as reduced tax liabilities and partial withdrawals—make it easier to align pension savings with personal goals. Whether you are a salary earner, self-employed, or a contract worker, AVCs provide a pathway to retire with dignity and peace of mind.”
The firm also highlighted its focus on small businesses and the self-employed through the Micro Pension Plan, which enables artisans, traders, and entrepreneurs to build retirement savings flexibly around irregular income patterns.
The interactive session underscored Access ARM Pensions’ commitment to client engagement, with participants commending the clarity and relevance of the responses provided to their questions.
