The Maldives Pension Administrative Office (MPAO) has amended the Regulation on Basic Pension for Older Persons to suspend basic pension payments to individuals employed by the state or a state institution under the Re-Employment Act.
The fourth amendment to the regulation came into force today following publication in the Government Gazette.
The updated regulation, issued under the Maldives Pension Act and the Re-Employment Act, sets out the framework for determining eligibility and the method of providing a basic pension to qualifying individuals.
The amendment introduces a new provision under Article 6 (criteria to qualify for basic pension). The added sub-article (f) states that individuals employed under Article 18(a) of the Re-Employment Act will not be entitled to receive the basic pension.
The regulation also requires updated disclosure of employment details to the MPAO. Individuals re-employed under the Re-Employment Act, or any other law, must inform the authority if they are working for the state or a state institution.
Under the new rule, basic pension payments will be suspended from the month a person begins re-employment in the state sector.
Pension payments will resume once the individual ceases employment with the state or a state institution and the MPAO is formally informed. Disbursement will restart after confirmation is received, beginning from the following month.
If the individual fails to notify the MPAO of the end of their employment, pension payments will resume in the month after the notification is submitted.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu ratified the Re-Employment Act on 8 January, fulfilling a key pledge allowing state employees to continue working in the public service up to the age of 75.
The legislation establishes a legal framework for re-employing public service workers beyond the standard pensionable age of 65. It outlines eligibility criteria and procedural requirements for continued employment in the public sector.
The Act applies to individuals currently or previously employed in the public service, excluding members of the armed forces, police, judges, and individuals appointed under the Constitution or other laws.
