President Muizzu Announces Reforms to Pensions and Allowances for Former Presidents and Members of Parliament

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced plans to amend the allowances and pensions granted to former presidents and former members of Parliament.

Under existing laws, past presidents and members of the Parliament enjoy various privileges, which has drawn frequent public criticism due to the burden on the state.

In a post shared on his official X account, the President stated that the government would submit legislative amendments to the Parliament, aimed at eliminating certain privileges currently afforded to former presidents and former members of Parliament.

The President further emphasised that the government is revising the relevant laws and regulations to bring pension entitlements in line with those of other government retirees. He added that provisions will also be introduced to suspend pension payments to beneficiaries who are re-employed in public service. If a person receiving pension benefits upon retirement from government service is re-appointed, those benefits should be suspended for the duration of their employment, the President stressed.

The former presidents currently entitled to state benefits are Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Abdulla Yameen, Mohamed Nasheed and Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik.

The practice of allowing retired public servants to continue receiving pensions after returning to government jobs places an additional burden on state finances. Conflicts between the Civil Service Act and the Pension Act have also led to some individuals receiving double pensions, which further increases state spending on pensions. Therefore, the Parliament’s Public Finance Committee is also working to address the issue.