Panic is spreading among Botswana’s public servants after many claimed their monthly pension contributions have mysteriously declined. The development has triggered fears that retirement savings are shrinking at a time when the country’s fragile economy is already forcing some teachers to consider early retirement.
The anxiety comes against the backdrop of Botswana’s prolonged economic slowdown, with the Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund (BPOPF) recently acknowledging that the country’s economy contracted in both 2024 and 2025, largely due to the collapse of the global diamond market.
As uncertainty deepens, some teachers have reportedly opted to retire earlier than planned, fearing that continued economic weakness and uncertainty over the future performance of their pension savings could leave them worse off if they remain in service. The concerns exploded across social media this week, with scores of public servants claiming that their pension deductions had fallen sharply. One member wrote: “My pension contribution has dropped by P40.”
Another said: “Mine has a deficit of P30.”
Others reported reductions ranging from P17 to P62, while another claimed that nearly P100 had disappeared from their monthly contribution.
“Someone recently calculated their pension after retirement and believes they were shortchanged by more than P200,000. This is serious. We need to understand how to calculate our pension so that we are not cheated.”
“I’ve noticed the same thing,” another member posted.
One frustrated contributor demanded: “Mine has reduced by P17. They should explain what they are doing with our money.”
Another warned that many employees had not yet realised the changes.
“You are not alone. Most people will understand once they receive their statements.” Some even questioned whether they should continue working.
“I feel like resigning,” one member wrote.
The most alarming claim came from a member who alleged that, after calculating their retirement benefits, they believed they had lost more than P200,000.
“Someone recently calculated their pension after retirement and believes they were shortchanged by more than P200,000. This is serious. We need to understand how to calculate our pension so that we are not cheated.”
The growing concern prompted News & All to seek answers from BPOPF.
However, the Fund says it has not received any official complaints regarding reduced pension contributions.
“BPOPF has not received any complaints regarding decreased pension contributions,” the Fund said.
The pension fund explained that contributions are calculated as a percentage of an employee’s salary.
According to BPOPF, employers contribute 15 percent of pensionable salary, while members contribute 5 percent. Members may also make voluntary additional contributions of up to 10 percent.
“Any decrease in contributions would be directly linked to a decrease in salary,” the Fund stated.
The Fund noted that persistent inflation erodes the purchasing power of retirement savings, warning that if savings grow by 4 percent while inflation reaches 8 percent, members effectively lose value in real terms.
BPOPF further explained that where lower contributions are observed, they could also result from salary adjustments or the timing of contribution submissions, although it stressed that employer contributions are currently fully up to date.
“Pension contributions are currently up to date and there are no delayed contributions,” BPOPF said.
The Fund added that should any complaints arise, they would be investigated immediately.
“Concerns regarding reduced contributions, if reported, will be investigated as soon as they are received, in line with the Fund’s query resolution process. The Fund Administrator and employer would be engaged to conduct thorough investigations and ensure resolution.”
BPOPF urged members to use the BPOPF Mobile App to monitor their monthly contributions and said annual benefit statements for the 2025/26 financial year would be issued during August and September, providing members with an updated picture of their retirement savings.
News & All can reveal that the current anxiety follows BPOPF’s own warning earlier this month that Botswana’s difficult economic environment poses risks to investment returns.
The Fund noted that persistent inflation erodes the purchasing power of retirement savings, warning that if savings grow by 4 percent while inflation reaches 8 percent, members effectively lose value in real terms.
BPOPF also explained that higher interest rates and slower economic growth affect companies in which pension funds invest, making long-term investment management increasingly challenging.
While the Fund insists that retirement savings continue to be managed prudently in accordance with its investment policy, the wave of concern sweeping through the public service suggests that many members remain unconvinced and are anxiously awaiting their annual benefit statements to determine whether their retirement nest eggs remain intact.
