On March 7, 2025, the Senegalese government approved a decree allowing pension reversion for deceased lecturers’ beneficiaries and including research allowance in pension calculations. After years of negotiation, this change provides better financial protection for families. SAES continues to advocate for additional improvements in university infrastructure and funding.
The Autonomous Union of Higher Education (SAES) has achieved a significant breakthrough in enhancing retirement benefits for university educators and researchers. On March 7, 2025, the Senegalese government issued a decree that grants pension reversion to beneficiaries and incorporates the research allowance into pension calculations. This decision concludes a protracted campaign by the union, alleviating financial strain on the families of deceased faculty members.
Since the landmark agreement on March 15, 2018, which established an 85% pension replacement rate based on the last net salary, one critical challenge remained: the non-reversion of pensions for the rightful beneficiaries of deceased lecturers and researchers. Previously, spouses and orphans were entitled to a meager benefit, set at only 13% of the lecturer’s net salary.
In response to this inequity, SAES ramped up its advocacy efforts, culminating in a protocol agreement with the government in January 2023 designed to prompt pension reversion reforms. Despite the government’s initial commitment, progress was notably sluggish, prompting increased pressure from the union.
The urgency intensified as the union’s strike notice expired in January 2025. Following extensive negotiations and a robust mobilization effort by faculty, the long-awaited decree was finally signed into effect on March 7, 2025.
This decree signifies a pivotal change, as it allows families of deceased university staff to receive pension reversion, providing enhanced financial security. Moreover, it mandates the inclusion of the research allowance within retirement pension calculations, significantly improving post-retirement income for educators.
SAES’s national secretary-general praised the decree as a remedy to “an injustice that weighed on the families of deceased colleagues.” He also pointed out the need to normalize pension contributions for seconded lecturers, which is a prerequisite for receiving a special retirement allowance.
Despite this victory, SAES remains focused on additional critical objectives, such as developing university infrastructure, substantially increasing the recruitment of lecturers and researchers, and enhancing research funding. The union reiterated its commitment to sustaining a harmonious academic environment and called on its members to remain vigilant for the complete execution of the January 2023 agreement.
The signing of the recent decree by the Senegalese government represents a transformative step for university lecturers and researchers, securing pension reversion rights and ensuring that research allowances are factored into retirement benefits. While SAES celebrates this significant achievement, the union continues to advocate for further improvements, including infrastructure development and increased research funding, to enhance the educational landscape in Senegal.
Original Source: www.senenews.com
