The General Retirement and Social Insurance Authority announced that the Council of Ministers General Secretariat has issued two important decisions regarding the determination of early retirement pension eligibility conditions and the formation of the Dispute Resolution Committee within the authority and its operating system.
This comes in implementation of the provisions of the Social Insurance Law, which aims to build an effective and comprehensive social protection system for all Qatari citizens, ensuring their rights and enhancing their active participation in society.
Council of Ministers General Secretariat Decision on Early Retirement Pension
This decision allows beneficiaries to receive the pension as per the Social Insurance Law provisions that were in effect before the new law was implemented.
The decision applies to those whose service ended on or after January 3, 2023, and considers the gradual increase in the retiree’s age, subscription period, and service duration to avoid harming long-term subscribers.
Mr. Ali bin Rashid Al-Merri, Director of the Legal Affairs Department at the Authority, clarified that the Council of Ministers General Secretariat decision regarding early retirement pension eligibility includes exceptional benefits for certain age groups.
Exceptional Benefits for Certain Age Groups
The decision outlines exceptional benefits for those born in 1983 and earlier, allowing them to benefit from early retirement if they are at least 42 years old at the time of retirement, provided they have a minimum of 17 years of participation in the social insurance system and a minimum of 12 years of actual service.
Those born in 1984, 1985, and 1986 can also benefit from the new early retirement law, but the age requirement increases by two years for each age group compared to those born in 1983 and earlier. The same adjustments apply to the social insurance system and the actual service period.
For those born in 1987 and later to benefit from the early retirement law, they must reach the age of 50, with a minimum of 25 years of participation in the social insurance system and 20 years of actual service.
Mr. Al-Mari confirmed that the authority is ready to implement the decisions and directives of the Council of Ministers General Secretariat by preparing the necessary data for eligible retirees and arranging the necessary staff to process their transactions as quickly as possible.
Dispute Resolution Committee and Its Operating System
The Council of Ministers General Secretariat has issued a new decision to form a Dispute Resolution Committee and define its operating system, aiming to ensure greater efficiency and swift justice.
The decision includes the formation of an expanded committee comprising judicial elements and balanced representation from all work entities and participants, along with procedures and timelines to ensure the prompt resolution of disputes, with the possibility of resolving them through negotiation between the parties.
The decision grants the committee the power of executive enforcement, making its decisions immediately enforceable upon issuance, and simplifies the process by allowing appeals to be made directly to the Court of Appeals.
The General Authority for Retirement and Social Insurance aims to provide a decent life for retirees and their beneficiaries under the Social Insurance Law, and it also manages pension funds.
