Article 29 of the Saudi Civil Retirement Law
المادة 29 من نظام التقاعد المدني
A beneficiary may not receive more than one pension; the larger is paid, but several may be combined if their total does not exceed SAR 300 per month.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
لا يجوز لأي مستحق الحصول على أكثر من معاش، فإذا استحق لشخص واحد أكثر من معاش بموجب هذا النظام أو أنظمة التقاعد الأخرى أدي إليه المعاش الأكبر، على أنه يجوز الجمع بين معاشين أو أكثر إذا لم يزد مجموعهما عن (300) ريال شهريًّا، فإذا زاد المجموع عن هذا القدر ربط المعاش الأخير بالقدر الذي يكمل المجموع المذكور. وتسري هذه الأحكام على صاحب المعاش الذي يكون مستحقًّا عن صاحب معاش آخر.
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 29 explained in plain English
This Article deals with someone who is entitled to more than one pension at the same time.
The rule: No beneficiary may receive more than one pension. If one person becomes entitled to more than one pension, whether under this Law or other retirement laws, he is paid the larger pension.
The exception: Two or more pensions may be combined if their total does not exceed SAR 300 per month. If the total exceeds that, the last pension is fixed at the amount that completes the total to SAR 300.
A pensioner entitled through another pensioner: These provisions also apply to a pensioner who is entitled through another pensioner, such as a retiree with his own pension who is at the same time entitled to a share through a deceased relative.
Note that the Article covers pensions due "under this Law or other retirement laws", so the prohibition is not limited to civil retirement pensions.
This Article follows Article 28, which regulates combining a pension with a government salary and allows it up to SAR 400, whereas this Article concerns combining two pensions. It is followed by Article 30, which states what happens to a beneficiary's share if it lapses or is suspended: it becomes the Fund's right and does not pass to the other beneficiaries, subject to a minimum share for the others.
Anyone with more than one source of entitlement may wish to consult a lawyer who specializes in retirement and administrative matters.
Practical example
Munira is entitled to a share of her late father's pension, and then her husband died and she became entitled to a share of his pension too. She may combine the two pensions if their total does not exceed SAR 300 per month; if the total exceeds that, the last pension is fixed at the amount that completes the total to SAR 300.
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 29 of the Saudi Civil Retirement Law
May one person be paid two retirement pensions?
A beneficiary may not receive more than one pension and is paid the larger one, unless the total of the two pensions does not exceed SAR 300 per month; if it does, the last pension is fixed at the amount that completes the total to SAR 300.
Does the prohibition include pensions under other laws?
Yes. The Article refers to pensions due under this Law or other retirement laws.
Does the rule apply to a retiree who is entitled through a deceased relative?
Yes. These provisions apply to a pensioner who is entitled through another pensioner.
More articles on Combining Pension and Salary
- Article 28
Payment of the pension stops if its holder or beneficiary is appointed to a permanent government post with a salary equal to or above the pension; a shortfall is paid, and combining is allowed up to SAR 400.
يقف صرف المعاش عن صاحب المعاش أو المستحقين إذا عين أو عينوا في وظائف ثابتة في الحكومة أو كانوا معينين فيها كذلك عند وفاة صاحب المعاش بشرط أن يكون راتب الموظف مع
- Article 31
A pensioner who returns to a post covered by the Law has his pension suspended during that service, and on its end he is treated by whichever of two methods is better for him.
مع عدم الإخلال بما جاء في المادة الثامنة والعشرون، إذا عاد صاحب المعاش إلى الخدمة في إحدى الوظائف التي ينتفع شاغلها بأحكام هذا النظام يوقف صرف معاشه طيلة مدة اس
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.