Brunei Darussalam’s Old Age and Disability Pension

According to the National Register of persons with disabilities, there were  4,148 persons living with disabilities in Brunei Darussalam in 2015.  In an effort to provide access to income security for this vulnerable group, the Government of Brunei Darussalam provides a universal disability pension. The Department of Community Development of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports administers the universal monthly transfer.

The universal old age and disabilities pension is a non-contributory, non-means tested, unconditional and universal pension. The scheme is available to all citizens and permanent residents over the age of 60 and to persons with disabilities above the age of 15. In order to be eligible for the disability benefit, claimants must not be employed and must have resided in Brunei for 10 years before the disability began. Claimants are eligible to receive a monthly transfer of BND 250, approximately USD 180. Claimants who are blind, with leprocy, Hansen disease and people with mental illness are entitled to additional dependant benefits of BND100, or USD 70, per month, for dependants under the age of 15, and BND 180, or USD 125, for dependants aged 15 and above. In 2014 there were 1,048 persons with disabilities receiving universal disability benefits.

Brunei Darussalam's universal disability pension is guaranteed by the Old Age and Disability Pension Act passed in 1954 and is complemented by additional schemes for those in the public service and those who contribute to employment insurance. Investments in persons with disabilities, such as the universal disability pension, form an important part of the social protection floor in Brunei Darussalam and are essential in ensuring equal access to income security for this vulnerable group.

 

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