A Turning Point for Social Protection in Morocco: Lowering the Contribution Threshold for Old Age Pensions
Morocco has taken a significant step forward in its social protection system with the adoption of a long-awaited decree welcomed by unions and private sector workers alike. The decree, presented by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Nadia Fettah, confirms the reduction of the required contribution threshold to qualify for an old-age pension from the National Social Security Fund (CNSS). Effective immediately, it will no longer be necessary to prove 3,240 days of reported work to be eligible for a pension; just 1,320 days will suffice.
This reform marks a concrete culmination of the social agreement made on April 30, 2022, and has been widely praised as a historic advancement. Its goal is to address a situation that previously excluded many individuals with fragmented employment histories – particularly housekeepers, laborers, daily workers, or seasonal employees – from accessing a decent retirement. These workers, despite their presence in the labor market, were previously deprived of old-age pension rights due to sporadic or inconsistent careers.
A Significant Progress for Social Insured
Decree No. 2.25.265, which will be applied retroactively from January 1, 2023, outlines a new series of provisions concerning old-age and disability pensions. According to Mustapha Baitas, Minister Delegate for Relations with Parliament, this new legislation now allows affiliates with contributions between 1,320 and 3,240 days to benefit from a pension from the CNSS, representing a major advancement for thousands of citizens who have been overlooked by the retirement system.
Five pension tiers have been defined based on the number of contribution days. The amounts range from 600 dirhams for those having contributed between 1,320 and 1,704 days, up to 1,000 dirhams for those having contributed between 2,856 and 3,240 days. Below the threshold of 1,320 days, insured individuals can recover the entirety of their employee and employer contributions.
A Response to Social Inequalities and Support for Social Protection
This reform not only addresses a need for social justice but also serves as a strong signal from the government in terms of confidence in the contributory system. By enabling tens of thousands of precarious and intermittent workers to receive an old-age pension, Morocco is embarking on a shift towards more inclusive and equitable social protection.
The reform is in line with the national strategy for the widespread implementation of social protection, an ambitious royal project aimed at reaching all Moroccans by 2025. Expanding access to retirement represents a crucial step in reducing the structural inequalities in Morocco’s labor market and ensuring social security for all, including precarious workers.
Implementation and Future Challenges
This reform is not merely a technical advancement; it represents a strategic and social change. It directly addresses the challenges faced by workers who, despite having contributed throughout their lives, were unable to access an old-age pension. In the coming months, the relevant organizations will need to implement this reform, recalculate the entitlements of insured individuals, and inform affiliates accordingly. Although this logistical transition poses considerable challenges, it is essential for ensuring the realization of this social advancement.
This reform thus marks a new chapter in the history of social protection in Morocco and brings renewed hope for precarious and intermittent workers. It also reflects the Moroccan government’s commitment to making social security more inclusive, contributing to the reduction of social inequalities and the construction of a fairer and more accessible pension system for all.
