President Muizzu announces plan to amend retirement regulations so payouts match length of military service

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu says he plans to amend the Army Retirement Regulations so that military pension benefits are calculated based on the total number of years served.

Speaking at the official ceremony marking the 134th anniversary of the Maldives National Defence Force, the President said the current system is unfair because retirees receive the same amount whether they serve 30 years or 35 years.

“I intend to amend the Army Retirement Regulations to determine benefits in proportion to years of service,” he said.

The President also announced plans to relocate area commands to islands where soldiers’ families live, allowing personnel to serve long‑term without being separated from their households.

ދިވެހި ސިފައިންގެ 134 ވަނަ އަހަރީ ދުވަހުގެ މުނާސަބަތުގައި ބާއްވާ ރަސްމީ ޖަލްސާ https://t.co/AEYEPOLzPG

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“That will give us the opportunity to serve the country while staying close to our families,” he said.

Muizzu added that the government has allocated funding to increase youth recruitment into the army, saying a larger force will produce stronger results.

He further stated that soldiers who serve sincerely should be able to remain in service longer, noting that the current system forces personnel to leave once they remain in the same rank for a certain period, a practice he described as neither fair nor just.

The President said the government will introduce additional reforms to address these issues.