Iraq pension authority says retirees' salaries dispatched to banks

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's National Pension Authority said pension payments have been dispatched to banks and that disbursements are expected to begin within hours. In a written statement, the authority said salary files have been delivered to the banks and that funding is being secured to start the payments. The authority said pensions will be distributed according to the prepared schedule once the cash funding is in place. It added that technical preparations have been completed and that transfers to retirees' accounts will begin as soon as the banks receive the necessary funds. The authority also said it is coordinating with the relevant financial institutions to avoid any delays. No further details on the payment timeline or total number of beneficiaries were immediately available.