Article 15 of the Saudi Social Security Law
المادة 15 من نظام الضمان الاجتماعي · الباب الثالث: آلية الاحتساب والاستحقاق
The article makes the basic minimum for calculating the pension set by a Council of Ministers decision, on the Ministry's proposal in agreement with the Ministries of Finance and of Economy and Planning.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يحدد الحد الأدنى الأساسي لاحتساب المعاش بقرار من مجلس الوزراء، بناءً على اقتراح من الوزارة بالاتفاق مع وزارة المالية، ووزارة الاقتصاد والتخطيط؛ بما يضمن تغطية الاحتياجات الأساسية.
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 15 explained in plain English
This article specifies the body that decides the value of the basic minimum for calculating the pension, which under Article 1 is a financial value setting the minimum to cover the basic needs of each independent person or breadwinner without increases or deductions.
It is set as follows:
- It is issued by a decision of the Council of Ministers.
- On a proposal from the Ministry (the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development).
- The proposal is made in agreement with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy and Planning.
The criterion the text sets for this determination is that the amount be such as to ensure coverage of basic needs.
The importance of this article is that the basic minimum is the cornerstone of the pension formula. Under Article 14, the calculated minimum for the pension for the independent person and the breadwinner equals the basic minimum, an increase is calculated for each additional dependent not exceeding it, and then calculated income is subtracted.
The article does not state a figure for this minimum, and it sets no period for reviewing it, but makes its determination a matter for the Council of Ministers' decision. Anyone who wants to know the value in force should refer to the decision issued on it. After an application is accepted, payment of the pension begins from the month following the acceptance decision under Article 16.
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 15 of the Saudi Social Security Law
Who sets the minimum for the social security pension?
The basic minimum for calculating the pension is set by a decision of the Council of Ministers, on a proposal from the Ministry in agreement with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy and Planning.
How much is the basic minimum for social security?
The article does not state an amount; it makes its determination by a Council of Ministers decision so as to ensure coverage of basic needs.
What is the relationship between the basic minimum and the amount of the pension?
It is the basis for calculating the calculated minimum for the pension under Article 14, from which calculated income is subtracted.
More articles on Calculating the Social Security Pension
- Article 14
The article shows that the pension is calculated by subtracting calculated income from the calculated minimum for the pension, with an increase for each additional dependent not exceeding the basic minimum.
يُحتسب المعاش للمستقل والأسرة بطرح قيمة الدخل المحتسب من قيمة الحد الأدنى المحتسب للمعاش وفقاً للآتي: 1- أن يكون الحد الأدنى المحتسب للمعاش مساوياً للحد الأدنى
- Article 16
The article provides that payment of the pension to the beneficiary begins from the month following the decision accepting his application.
يصرف المعاش للمستفيد بدءًا من الشهر التالي لصدور قرار قبول طلبه.
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.