The Pension Administration Office has called on retirees to notify the authorities if they are currently serving in public office following retirement, in line with amendments to the civil service regulation.

According to the Pension Administration Office, amendments to the Maldives Civil Service Regulation, introduced on 30 December were aimed at preventing the payment of retirement pensions to individuals who return to public office after retirement. Further revisions made to the MNDF Retirement Regulation, Police Retirement Regulation, and Civil Service Regulation clarified the application of the policy across State institutions.

Under the revised framework, a person who has retired from public service and subsequently holds an elected office, an appointed post, or a position in a State-owned company is not entitled to receive a monthly retirement allowance or pension for the duration of that service. The Pension Administration Office said retirement payments are suspended while the individual remains in public office and will resume from the month following the end of their service.

The office said retirees who are currently serving in another public role after retirement, or those who have concluded such service during the current month, are required to inform the Pension Administration Office either in writing or through the prescribed notification form.

Institutions whose employees are eligible for long-term pension benefits upon retirement include the Maldives National Defence Force, Maldives Police Service, Customs, Immigration, and Corrections. Previously, retirees from these institutions were able to receive pension payments even after re-entering public service.

The regulatory changes follow concerns raised by members of the public during community meetings held by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, particularly regarding retired officials receiving pension benefits while also drawing salaries and allowances from public office. In response, the President announced that the relevant regulations would be revised to address the issue.

The Pension Administration Office said the updated policy is intended to ensure fairness, transparency and the responsible use of public funds, while allowing retirees to return to public service without overlapping pension benefits during their term in office.