The Minister of Labor, Employment, and Social Security, Abdelhak Saihi, confirmed the impossibility of individuals with 32 years of actual service benefiting from retirement without an age requirement. In his response to questions from members of the People’s National Assembly, Saihi explained that returning to retirement without an age requirement, in its various forms, is completely off the table, even for those with 32 years of service, noting that the previous cancellation of this system occurred within a difficult economic context for the country.
The minister pointed out that the system was abolished during a period when Algeria’s economic conditions were fragile, particularly between 2014 and 2016. During this time, the national economy faced significant challenges regarding the funding and sustainability of the pension fund, which necessitated measures including the cancellation of proportional retirement and retirement without age requirements.
The spokesperson added that this measure was necessary at the time to protect financial balances. However, he noted that the situation today is different, as Algeria is experiencing significant economic dynamism and a growth rate exceeding 4.6%, with expectations that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will reach approximately $400 billion. This requires the mobilization of the workforce to achieve the economic goals sought by the President of the Republic.
According to the government official, this economic activity requires providing a workforce rather than encouraging workers to leave the labor market before reaching the legal age. He cited several countries that have raised the retirement age, reaching 70 or even 75 in some Western countries, and up to 80 in some East Asian countries.
Saihi emphasized that the goal is to maintain the financial balance of pension funds while ensuring the principle of intergenerational solidarity. He explained that workers stopping their contributions early could affect this balance and the funds’ ability to fulfill their obligations toward retirees.
The Minister of Labor also reminded that the state continues to support retirees through the annual valuation of retirement pensions, in application of the provisions of Article 43 of Law No. 83 relating to retirement.
