Article 26 of the Saudi Civil Retirement Law
المادة 26 من نظام التقاعد المدني
The pension of male children, sons' children and brothers is cut off at age 21, except for a regular student until 26 or graduation, and a totally disabled person until the disability ends.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يقطع المعاش المستحق للذكور من الأولاد وأولاد الابن والإخوة إذا بلغوا سن الواحدة والعشرين، واستثناء مما تقدم يستمر صرف المعاش بالنسبة إلى هؤلاء المستحقين في الأحوال التالية:
1 - إذا كان المستحق طالبًا في إحدى المدارس الثانوية أو العالية أو ما يناظرها المعترف بها، بشرط أن يكون الطالب منتظمًا في دراسته فيؤدى له المعاش حتى بلوغه سن السادسة والعشرون أو تخرجه أيهما أقرب.
2 - إذا كان مصابًا بعجز صحي كامل يمنعه من الكسب وثبت ذلك بقرار من الهيئة الطبية المختصة وذلك إلى أن يزول العجز.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 26 explained in plain English
This Article explains when the pension of male beneficiaries ends in certain categories.
The rule: The pension due to male children, sons' children and brothers is cut off when they reach the age of twenty-one.
The exceptions: Payment of the pension continues for these beneficiaries in two cases:
- The student: if he is a student in a secondary school or higher school or the recognized equivalent, provided he is regular in his studies, the pension is paid to him until he reaches twenty-six or graduates, whichever is earlier.
- The disabled: if he has a total health disability that prevents him from earning, established by a decision of the competent medical body, the pension continues until the disability ends.
This Article concerns only males in the categories mentioned, and does not deal with females. It comes after Article 25, which specifies the beneficiaries of a pensioner, including the son, the son's son and the brother. The following Article 27 deals with the cases in which a female's pension is suspended on marriage.
If your pension has been stopped and you believe you fall within one of the two exceptions, you may consult a lawyer who specializes in retirement and administrative matters.
Practical example
Yusuf, the son of a deceased pensioner, has reached 21 and is a regular university student. His pension continues until he reaches 26 or graduates, whichever is earlier; if he graduates at the age of 23, his pension is cut off on his graduation.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 26 of the Saudi Civil Retirement Law
When does a son's pension from his father's retirement end?
It is cut off when he reaches 21, unless he is a regular student or has a total health disability that prevents him from earning.
Does a university student's pension continue?
Yes, if he is regular in a secondary school or higher school or the recognized equivalent, it is paid to him until he reaches 26 or graduates, whichever is earlier.
Does a disabled son's pension continue?
Yes, if he has a total health disability that prevents him from earning, established by a decision of the competent medical body, until the disability ends.
More articles on Pension of Heirs and Beneficiaries
- Article 24
After a pensioner dies, a pension is fixed for the beneficiaries equal to the full pension if there are three or more, three-quarters if two, and half if one, divided equally among them.
إذا توفي صاحب المعاش فيقرر للمستحقين عنه معاش بقدر المعاش المستحق له إذا كانوا ثلاثة فأكثر، وبقدر ثلاثة أرباعه إذا كانوا اثنين، وبقدر نصفه إذا كان المستحق واحدً
- Article 24 bisAmended (1442 AH)
A pensioner whose disappearance is established by a final court judgment is treated as deceased for the beneficiaries' rights, and his rights are resettled retroactively if he turns out to be alive.
تتعامل المؤسسة مع صاحب المعاش المفقود وفق الأحكام الآتية: أ- يعامل صاحب المعاش الذي ثبت فقده بحكم قضائي نهائي - فيما يتعلق بالحقوق التقاعدية للمستحقين - معاملة
- Article 25Amended (1442 AH)
The Article lists the beneficiaries of a pensioner, and requires anyone other than the wife, son and daughter to have depended on him for support at his death, leaving the board of directors to set the rules.
المستحقون عن صاحب المعاش هم: الزوج أو الزوجة، والأم والأب، والابن والبنت، وابن وبنت الابن الذي توفي في حياة صاحب المعاش، والأخ والأخت، والجد والجدة. وفيما عدا ا
- Article 27
The pension of a wife, daughter, son's daughter and sister is suspended on marriage, and the mother's if she marries someone other than the deceased's father, and it is restored on divorce or widowhood.
اعتبارًا من تاريخ عقد الزواج يوقف معاش الزوجة والبنت وبنت الابن والأخت إذا تزوجن، والأم إذا تزوجت من غير والد المتوفى، ويعاد الاستحقاق لصاحبته إذا طُلقت أو ترمل
- Article 30
When a beneficiary's share lapses or is suspended it becomes the Fund's right and does not pass to the other beneficiaries, but the remaining beneficiaries' share may not fall below 50% of the pension.
إذا سقط أو أوقف نصيب أحد المستحقين لأي سبب كان فلا يؤول إلى باقي المستحقين وإنما يصبح حقًّا للصندوق على أن لا يقل نصيب من بقي منهم في جميع الحالات عن خمسين (50%
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.