Muscat – The Social Protection Fund (SPF) has introduced new regulations that allow persons with disabilities to retire early, provided they meet specific conditions.

The decision, issued by H E Salim bin Nasser al Aufi, Minister of Energy and Minerals and Chairman of the SPF, was published in the Official Gazette on August 26 and took effect the following day.

The SPF explained that the regulation is designed to strengthen social security measures and safeguard the welfare of citizens with special needs. It also brings disability-related retirement rights in line with existing provisions covering old age, incapacity and death benefits, ensuring greater fairness within the system.

Under the new framework, eligible individuals may retire up to 10 years earlier than the standard retirement age, meaning they can leave service from the age of 50.

They must also have completed at least 15 years of actual service while registered as a person with a disability and be holders of an official disability card issued by the Ministry of Social Development.

The regulation covers a number of officially recognised categories of disability, including autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, intellectual disability with an Intelligence Quotient (IQ) below 70, severe visual impairment, hearing impairment of 61 decibels or more in both ears even with aids, and severe physical disability verified through medical assessment.

The SPF noted that additional categories may be recognised in future by the competent authorities.