Kingdom spends SR12b on retirees

RIYADH, 25 February — The Kingdom spends about SR12 billion on retired government servants annually, according to Labor and Social Affairs Minister Dr. Ali Al-Namlah. Speaking to Al-Watan daily, he said: “We spend about SR2 billion monthly on military and civilian officials.” According to sources at the Pension Department, about 15,000 male and female government employees retired by the end of last fiscal year. More than 720,000 Saudis now receive retirement benefits from the department, they added.