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Online, physical or both?
Use the official online route
Select a Pension Fund Administrator from PenCom's licensed PFA list before starting the RSA registration. Then complete the PFA's RSA registration form and identity verification requirements.
No mandatory physical visit is stated in the sources we currently use
The current sources for Open a pension RSA do not state a compulsory walk-in stage for the standard route.
Find official offices/centres →If this specific process gets stuck
Use PenCom's official support/contact route and quote the reference generated by this application.
View agency guidance →Only authorised routes. We never present an unofficial agent, cybercafé or third-party payment page as an alternative unless the responsible agency authorises it.
What you need to know before you continue
Important service-specific details that affect how you apply, what route to use, or what to avoid.
Do I lose my Retirement Savings Account when I change jobs?
No. PenCom states that the RSA remains the worker's account when employment changes. Give the existing RSA details to the new employer so future contributions continue to the correct account.
Verify with PenCom — RSA when changing jobs ↗Do I need to open a new RSA when I move to another employer?
No. An RSA is portable between jobs. Keep the same RSA unless you are using the regulated PFA-transfer process; creating another account is not the normal way to handle a job change.
Verify with PenCom — What is an RSA? ↗Documents, details and prerequisites you need
This is the complete pre-start checklist from the verified guide. Each item below explains what it is for, where it enters the process and whether the official source actually specifies an original, copy or upload.
Identity information requested by the chosen PFA
- Why you need it
- This item is explicitly listed in the verified pre-start requirements for this service. Have it ready before beginning so the application is not interrupted.
- Where it is used
- Most directly connected to step 2: Complete the PFA's RSA registration form and identity verification requirements.
- Original, copy or upload?
- The official sources used for this guide do not specify original vs copy here. Follow the exact portal or office prompt instead of assuming.
NIN/identity verification information required under the current pension onboarding process
- Why you need it
- Used to match the applicant to the National Identity Database or to verify NIN-linked biodata where this service requires identity matching.
- Where it is used
- Most directly connected to step 2: Complete the PFA's RSA registration form and identity verification requirements.
- Original, copy or upload?
- The official sources used for this guide do not specify original vs copy here. Follow the exact portal or office prompt instead of assuming.
Employment information if you are opening the RSA as an employee
- Why you need it
- This item is explicitly listed in the verified pre-start requirements for this service. Have it ready before beginning so the application is not interrupted.
- Where it is used
- Most directly connected to step 3: Receive and keep the RSA PIN/account information issued after successful registration.
- Original, copy or upload?
- The official sources used for this guide do not specify original vs copy here. Follow the exact portal or office prompt instead of assuming.
Contact details
- Why you need it
- This item is explicitly listed in the verified pre-start requirements for this service. Have it ready before beginning so the application is not interrupted.
- Where it is used
- Keep this ready before starting. The verified guide lists it as a prerequisite even though the official source does not tie it to one numbered step.
- Original, copy or upload?
- The official sources used for this guide do not specify original vs copy here. Follow the exact portal or office prompt instead of assuming.
Step-by-step instructions
Follow the process in order. Each step also shows what to have ready, what to check before continuing and what evidence to keep. Where the agency does not publish an extra requirement, this guide does not invent one.
Select a Pension Fund Administrator from PenCom's licensed PFA list before starting the RSA registration.
- NIN/identity verification information required under the current pension onboarding process
Use the official route linked on this guide and make sure you are working in the correct applicant/entity account before entering data.
Keep any reference, confirmation, screenshot or acknowledgement generated by the official route.
Complete the PFA's RSA registration form and identity verification requirements.
- NIN/identity verification information required under the current pension onboarding process
- Identity information requested by the chosen PFA
- Employment information if you are opening the RSA as an employee
Read the next screen or office instruction before moving on; do not assume an extra payment, document or visit is required unless the responsible agency asks for it.
Keep any reference, confirmation, screenshot or acknowledgement generated by the official route.
Receive and keep the RSA PIN/account information issued after successful registration.
- Identity information requested by the chosen PFA
- NIN/identity verification information required under the current pension onboarding process
- Employment information if you are opening the RSA as an employee
Check the finished document/result for spelling, identity details, reference numbers and status before relying on it.
Keep the final document/result plus any receipt or reference used to obtain it.
Give the RSA details to your employer so pension contributions can be remitted to the correct account.
- NIN/identity verification information required under the current pension onboarding process
- Contact details
Read the next screen or office instruction before moving on; do not assume an extra payment, document or visit is required unless the responsible agency asks for it.
Keep any reference, confirmation, screenshot or acknowledgement generated by the official route.
Check your PFA statements/alerts to confirm that contributions are being credited.
No additional document is specifically tied to this step in the verified guide. Use the full checklist above and follow the official prompt.
Make sure the displayed record is the correct person/entity and that the information matches the evidence you are using.
Keep any reference, confirmation, screenshot or acknowledgement generated by the official route.
What exactly happens next?
Keep the application/reference number, payment receipt, acknowledgement or downloadable record produced by this service.
Check your PFA statements/alerts to confirm that contributions are being credited.
Depends on identity/data verification by the selected PFA.
Use PenCom's official support channel with the application/reference details.
Quick answers about Open a pension RSA
Direct answers to the questions people commonly search for, using the same verified fee, requirements, route and timeline shown in this guide.
How much does Open a pension RSA cost in 2026?
No account-opening fee stated — Open the RSA through a PenCom-licensed Pension Fund Administrator.
What do I need for Open a pension RSA?
The current verified checklist includes Identity information requested by the chosen PFA, NIN/identity verification information required under the current pension onboarding process, and Employment information if you are opening the RSA as an employee. Open the requirements section below for the complete list and any service-specific evidence.
Can I do Open a pension RSA online?
Mostly online. Select a Pension Fund Administrator from PenCom's licensed PFA list before starting the RSA registration. Then complete the PFA's RSA registration form and identity verification requirements. The current sources for Open a pension RSA do not state a compulsory walk-in stage for the standard route.
How long does Open a pension RSA take?
Depends on identity/data verification by the selected PFA.
Where do I start Open a pension RSA?
Select a Pension Fund Administrator from PenCom's licensed PFA list before starting the RSA registration. Then complete the PFA's RSA registration form and identity verification requirements.
Important notes
- Your RSA stays with you when you change jobs.
- You are not required to keep the same employer to keep the same RSA.
- Keep your contact information with the PFA current so you receive contribution statements and alerts.
Common questions
These answers are generated from the verified requirements, route, fee, timeline and official-source notes for this specific service.
What should I prepare before I start?
Prepare before you begin by gathering every item below. The detailed checklist above explains why each one is needed, where it is used, and whether the official source specifies an original, copy or upload.
- Identity information requested by the chosen PFA — Document
- NIN/identity verification information required under the current pension onboarding process — Document
- Employment information if you are opening the RSA as an employee — Document
- Contact details — Other requirement
Can I do this online, or do I need to visit an office?
Mostly online. Select a Pension Fund Administrator from PenCom's licensed PFA list before starting the RSA registration. Then complete the PFA's RSA registration form and identity verification requirements.
The current sources for Open a pension RSA do not state a compulsory walk-in stage for the standard route.
How much does this service cost?
No account-opening fee stated — Open the RSA through a PenCom-licensed Pension Fund Administrator.
Pay only through the responsible agency or the official payment channel linked in this guide.
How long should it take?
Depends on identity/data verification by the selected PFA.
Processing can still take longer where identity checks, document corrections, payment confirmation or manual review are required.
What happens after I submit or complete the main step?
Keep the evidence for Open a pension RSA: Keep the application/reference number, payment receipt, acknowledgement or downloadable record produced by this service.
Complete the final published step: Check your PFA statements/alerts to confirm that contributions are being credited.
What should I do if the portal, payment or application gets stuck?
Use PenCom's official support/contact route and quote the reference generated by this application.
Keep any application number, receipt, acknowledgement, transaction reference or screenshot that can help the agency trace the request.
What should I be careful about?
- Your RSA stays with you when you change jobs.
- You are not required to keep the same employer to keep the same RSA.
How do I verify that these instructions are current?
This guide was last checked on 2026-10-01. The official government or agency sources used to verify it are listed directly below this section.
Where an agency changes a fee, deadline or procedure, the official source takes priority over this independent guide.
Is MyNigeriaGuide the government website for this service?
No. MyNigeriaGuide is an independent information service. Applications, payments, approvals and final decisions remain with the responsible government agency.
Official sources
These are the government or agency pages used to verify this guide. Open them directly whenever you want to confirm the source.
See something outdated?
Correction reporting is checked only when you choose to report an issue, keeping normal guide loads lighter.