Jordan government revises social security law to protect retirees

The Jordanian government has announced major amendments to the Social Security Law, ensuring that no current retiree or eligible contributor for early, mandatory, or optional retirement will be affected over the next four years.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan said the law will begin gradual implementation in 2030, with mandatory retirement fully applied by 2040 and early and optional retirement phased in for men by 2047 and women by 2041. The five-year difference between male and female retirement ages remains unchanged.

The amendments follow consultations with parliamentary blocs, public feedback, and expert input from the Legislative and Opinion Bureau, as well as recommendations from the International Labour Organization’s actuarial study on social security. The study highlighted long-standing challenges with the early retirement system and the need for corrective measures.

Hassan emphasized that the government’s priority is protecting contributors’ rights, preserving Social Security investments, and ensuring the system’s sustainability. He stressed that the government will work closely with parliament to refine the law while maintaining strict governance and restructuring measures modeled on the Central Bank of Jordan to ensure independent decision-making.

The prime minister also highlighted that the amendments aim to safeguard the fund from future financial challenges, ensuring a solid foundation for future generations of retirees.