Article 52 of the Saudi Social Insurance Law
المادة 52 من نظام التأمينات الاجتماعية · الباب الخامس: الأحكام المشتركة
The article treats a missing or absent person as deceased for the compensation of their family, and governs what happens if the person is found alive, depending on whether the person was a pension or benefit holder.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يعامل المفقود أو الغائب فيما يتعلق بالتعويضات المستحقة لأفراد عائلته معاملة من ثبتت وفاته.
2- إذا تبينت حياة المفقود أو الغائب فإنه يوقف صرف المعاش أو العائدة عن أفراد عائلته، ويعامل وفق الآتي:
أ - في حال كان صاحب معاش أو عائدة، فيستأنف صرف المعاش أو العائدة له، على أن يصرف له ما يكمل الفرق بين معاشه أو عائدته وما تم صرفه لأفراد عائلته أثناء مدة فقده أو غيابه.
ب - في حال لم يكن صاحب معاش أو عائدة، فإن المبالغ التي تم صرفها لأفراد عائلته تعد ديناً في ذمته وتحسم من حقوقه لدى المؤسسة. فإن زادت عليها يتجاوز عن استرداد الفرق.
وتحدد اللائحة الأحكام اللازمة لتطبيق ما ورد في هذه المادة.
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 52 explained in plain English
This article addresses the position of a subscriber's family if the subscriber goes missing or is absent, and then what follows if the subscriber is found alive.
During the disappearance or absence: a missing or absent person is treated, with regard to the compensation due to their family members, as someone whose death has been established. The family is therefore not left without a source of support because of the absence of its provider.
If the person is found alive: payment of the pension or benefit to the family members is stopped, and then:
- If the person was a pension or benefit holder: payment of the person's pension or benefit resumes, and the person is paid the difference between what was due and what was paid to the family during the period of disappearance or absence.
- If the person was not a pension or benefit holder: the amounts paid to the family are treated as a debt owed by the person, deducted from the person's rights with the Institution. If the amounts paid exceed the person's rights, the Institution waives recovery of the difference.
The article balances protection of the family during the absence against not paying amounts without a basis once the person is shown to be alive, while not demanding from the person more than their rights. It leaves the provisions needed to apply it to the Regulations.
A family in this situation is advised to consult a lawyer specialized in social insurance matters.
Practical example
News was lost of a man who worked at a company in Jazan, so compensation was paid to his family treating him as deceased. After a time he appeared alive, and he was not a pension or benefit holder. Payment to his family stops, and the amounts paid are treated as a debt on him, deducted from his rights with the Institution; if they are greater than his rights, the difference is waived.
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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Active contributorFrequently asked questions about Article 52 of the Saudi Social Insurance Law
Is compensation paid to the family of a missing person?
Yes. A missing or absent person is treated as someone whose death has been established with regard to the compensation due to the family members.
What happens if the missing person appears alive and is a pensioner?
Payment to the family stops and resumes to the person, who is paid the difference between the pension and what was paid to the family during the absence.
Is the missing person required to repay what was paid to the family?
If the person was not a pension or benefit holder, the amounts are treated as a debt deducted from the person's rights with the Institution, and anything over those rights is waived.
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1- في تطبيق أحكام النظام، يقصد بأفراد العائلة كل من: أ - أرمل أو أرملة المشترك المتوفى (حسب الحال). ويوقف الاستحقاق في حال الزواج، ويتم استئناف الاستحقاق في حال
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.