United Nations Launches Global Blockchain ID System for Pensioners

For over seventy years, UNJSPF had relied on traditional paper-based Certificates of Entitlement, mailed by beneficiaries to validate that they remain eligible for pension payments. With more than 70,000 beneficiaries across 190 countries, the logistical, administrative, and security burdens of this method had become untenable. The white paper argues that paper and centralized systems are vulnerable to inefficiencies, data breaches, and identity fraud. The DCE is presented as a response, a self-sovereign model that gives individuals control over their identity data while enabling verifiers to confirm legitimacy without relying on centralized repositories.

At its core, the DCE combines several advanced technologies. It is built on a permissioned blockchain architecture using Hyperledger Indy and Aries frameworks, which allows immutable storage of cryptographic proofs without exposing personal data directly on chain. Beneficiaries receive verifiable digital credentials, cryptographically signed by trusted issuers, which they control and present selectively when required.

Identity is confirmed through facial biometrics and artificial intelligence-based liveness detection, designed to prevent spoofing or deep fake attempts. Biometric templates are retained on the beneficiary’s device rather than in centralized servers, reducing risks of mass data breaches. In some cases, geospatial information can also play a role in validating residence or detecting irregularities. The process is voluntary, with the legacy paper procedure continuing to exist in parallel for those who prefer or require it. Enrollment begins with downloading a mobile application, receiving an invitation code, submitting biometric and identity data, and then generating the digital credential used as proof of entitlement.

The project has already delivered measurable results. According to figures in the white paper and related announcements, the shift to digital verification has reduced the processing of paper certificates by approximately 40 percent. Archiving costs have fallen dramatically, reportedly by around 95 percent, while overtime costs have declined by over three-quarters. The system also reports an exceptionally high retention rate, with 99.96 percent of those who adopted the digital method continuing to use it in subsequent years.

By 2025, more than 43,000 beneficiaries, about 53 percent of the total population, were using the DCE instead of submitting paper certificates. The 2024 annual report from UNJSPF noted that more than 38,000 beneficiaries had already used the DCE in that year’s cycle, suggesting consistent growth and strong uptake despite the optional nature of the program.

A central theme of the white paper is assurance and trust. UNJSPF explains that the DCE was subjected to review across eleven critical domains, including smart contract integrity, network architecture, and data management, and benchmarked against international standards such as ISO frameworks. External audits and privacy assessments are part of the process, and the system has been designed to maintain compliance with global norms.

During UN 2.0 Week, UNJSPF Chief Information Officer Dino Dell’Accio stressed that maintaining confidence through independent review was a priority, and that the project would remain under continuous evaluation. Another safeguard is the preservation of the paper-based option, ensuring that beneficiaries uncomfortable with digital methods are not excluded from access to their pensions.

The UNJSPF and UNICC see broader potential for the platform beyond pension verification. The concept of “DCE-as-a-Service” has been introduced, allowing other UN entities or even external organizations to adopt the infrastructure under a shared governance model. Alongside this, the UN Digital ID initiative is being advanced as a unified identity framework for staff across the entire UN system, from onboarding through retirement. The DCE functions as both a template and a technical foundation for this wider ambition, with proponents highlighting its potential to reduce fragmentation, enhance interoperability, and promote trust across interagency processes.

In alignment with the UN’s push to scale blockchain capability across public systems, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) partnered with the Exponential Science Foundation in September 2025 to launch the Government Blockchain Academy, with training programs for public sector officials scheduled to begin in 2026. The academy was designed to provide governments with practical knowledge of blockchain, artificial intelligence, and related technologies through in-person workshops, online courses, and leadership forums. Its curriculum focused on applications such as digital identity, transparent governance, procurement, and financial services, areas that closely paralleled the goals of the UNJSPF and UNICC’s Digital Certificate of Entitlement project

Nevertheless, challenges remain. One limitation is the digital divide, as many beneficiaries in remote or underconnected regions may not own smartphones or have stable Internet access. The UNJSPF has suggested that kiosk modes could address this issue, though deployment is not yet universal. Concerns also exist regarding privacy and consent, as even with local storage of biometric templates there may be apprehension over potential misuse or pressure to adopt the technology.

The broader rollout of the DCE will also depend on interoperability and standardization across legal and institutional frameworks, particularly if external entities seek to use it. Furthermore, the system must continually defend against adversarial attacks, from spoofing to synthetic identity fraud. Adoption resistance is another factor, as some beneficiaries may simply prefer the familiarity of paper processes.

The UN’s DCE project is therefore significant as one of the very few blockchain-based digital identity initiatives that has moved beyond pilots into full-scale, real-world deployment. While national governments and corporations have tested self-sovereign identity frameworks, few have applied them at this scale with the institutional support of a multilateral body. If successfully extended to other agencies, the DCE could help modernize identity verification for social protection systems, refugee programs, and other sensitive public sector use cases. Its outcomes are likely to influence broader debates about the practicality of blockchain in governance, the ethics of biometrics, and the balance between innovation and inclusivity.

The UNJSPF and UNICC white paper ultimately frames the DCE as both a success story and a continuing experiment. Efficiency gains, cost reductions, and adoption rates suggest that blockchain and biometric identity tools can improve public services when carefully designed. But scaling the model across diverse populations and contexts will require ongoing governance, independent oversight, and a careful balance of user choice and system resilience. The trajectory of the DCE over the coming years will be closely watched not only within the United Nations system, but also by governments and international organizations weighing how best to modernize their own digital identity infrastructure.