Government Introduces New Policy Allowing Citizens Over Age Sixty Five to Reserve Hajj Slots Using Pension Funds

The government together with the Maldives Pension Administration Office has announced a major policy change allowing senior citizens aged sixty five and above to utilize funds from their Retirement Savings Account to reserve slots for the obligatory Hajj pilgrimage.

The newly implemented mechanism aims to streamline access to Islamic pilgrimage financing for older adults who have reached retirement age. Under existing Maldives Retirement Pension Scheme regulations, eligible participants can apply to use a portion of their accumulated retirement savings to cover official Hajj expenses through designated operators like the Maldives Hajj Corporation. The updated policy framework prioritizes elderly citizens, expanding flexibility for seniors who wish to perform the mandatory pilgrimage without experiencing upfront financial strain.

Officials from the Maldives Pension Administration Office highlighted that the initiative balances social security welfare with religious obligations, ensuring eligible members retain sufficient minimum balances required for ongoing post retirement payouts while facilitating sacred journey reservations. Educational sessions and specialized service desks are being established to assist eligible applicants through the documentation and verification procedures required to complete pension backed Hajj slot reservations.