New Rules Halt Pension Payments for Retirees Returning to Government Jobs

The Civil Service Rules in the Maldives have been amended to halt retirement pension payments for individuals who return to government service after retiring. Under the new amendment, retirees who are elected to public office, appointed to state positions, or employed by government-owned companies will no longer receive old-age allowances during their period of employment. Monthly pension payments will now begin from the month following retirement, and retirees are required to inform the Maldives Pension Administration Office if they resume employment. Failure to notify will require the repayment of any pension received during the employment period. This change comes as part of broader public finance reforms aimed at reducing government expenditure. In recent years, many retirees, including former police officers and soldiers, have taken roles in various government offices, often receiving dual pensions from institutional schemes. The new rules aim to address these practices and streamline pension disbursements.