Fatima Al-Ali, head of the women’s department at the Public Pension Agency, has said that the Saudi system for retirement is superior to that of other countries in many respects.
“Retirees who have worked for 40 years in civil service or 35 years in military service are eligible for full basic salary monthly,” she said, adding that other countries grant only between 70 to 90 percent of the basic salary.
The issue came up during a procedural initiative entitled “Ejraaie” that was held recently under the aegis of Princess Hesa bint Salman and organized by the women’s department at the Council of Saudi Chambers.
A number of government bodies and ministries participated at the meeting with the aim of raising awareness between women on the different procedural issues related to work and services.
Al-Ali said the Saudi social retirement system granted women the same rights as men in terms of disbursements and pensions. “When a citizen reaches 60 years of age, he is entitled to a pension.”
She said that a pension card has been approved for women containing basic data, civil registration and employment status. “The agency recently launched the “Masaken” (housing) program in order to develop its financial resources, support the activities of retirees and meet their needs.”
She said that a recent survey conducted by the agency found out that state employees and retirees are in need of such a program to provide them with a decent house and lodging.
“We embarked on offering mortgage loans of up to SR 5 million in order to help retirees buy or build a house.”
Jaheer Al-Msaaid, head of women’s department at the Human Resource Development Fund, said the fund aims to offer subsidies to rehabilitate the national work force, train them and then employ them in the private sector. “Other objectives involve funding field programs and projects that aim to employ Saudis and to conduct research and studies related to qualifying and training the Saudi work force,” concluded Al-Msaaid.
Pension card for women approved
