Maldives Pension Administration Office (MPAO) has opened the opportunity for companies in taking pilgrims to perform the Hajj pilgrimage this year under the pension scheme.
The amendment to the Maldives Pension Act, which would enable to withdrawal of 80% of funds from the Maldives Retirement Pension Scheme to finance the cost of the Hajj pilgrimage, was ratified by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in August 2019. Following the ratification of the amendment, the Pension Office will transfer up to 80% of the declared rate set by the relevant authorities under the Hajj scheme.
Pension Office has requested interested companies seeking to enter into an agreement to submit a letter before 1400hrs on May 14 via e-mail. The pension scheme is eligible for individuals who are performing the pilgrimage for the first time and if they have at least USD 21,789 in the Maldives Retirement Pension Scheme. The pension office has also arranged for the members of the pension scheme to check the amount available through the mobile application of the Pension Office.
The Maldives received 1,000 quotas for Hajj this year. Two-thirds of the quota has been given to the Maldives Hajj Corporation Limited. The barley quota has been divided among three companies. The Hajj Corporation will be tasked with facilitating the travel of half of the Maldivian Hajj pilgrims this year while the other half of the quota will be distributed to three other companies. The ministry decided that the chosen companies will receive 90 slots each in order to facilitate easy and convenient travel for pilgrims.