Casablanca – Starting May 1, 2025, Morocco will implement a long-awaited reform to its old-age pension system, expanding eligibility and ensuring greater social protection for thousands of retired workers. The reform, anchored in Decree No. 2.25.265 and adopted by the Council of Government on April 3, eliminates the previous threshold of 3,240 days of contributions required to access a pension from the Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale (CNSS). The new minimum is now set at 1,320 days, with retroactive application from January 1, 2023.
This change comes as part of the government’s broader strategy to consolidate the foundations of universal social protection, a national priority launched under the directives of King Mohammed VI. It follows commitments made during the April 2022 social dialogue between the government and major trade unions.
Expanded access and minimum pension guarantees
Under the new system, individuals who were retired between January 1, 2023, and the date the new law (02.24) comes into force, and who accumulated between 1,320 and 3,240 days of insurance, will now be eligible for a monthly pension. The CNSS will begin accepting applications through its digital portal “Taawydati” (my compensations) or in person at its local branches beginning May 1.
The pension amount will depend on the total number of days contributed, with five tiers ranging from approximately $60 to $100 per month. All beneficiaries under this new framework will also be entitled to coverage under the mandatory health insurance scheme (AMO).
Survivor and refund benefits
The reform also introduces measures for the families of deceased contributors. In cases where a retiree who had contributed at least 1,320 days passes away, their rightful heirs will be eligible to claim a survivor’s pension. If the contributor had not yet met the 1,320-day minimum, the insured or their heirs will be entitled to a full refund of both employee and employer contributions.
These adjustments aim to correct what many social observers and unions have long described as a systemic “social injustice,” particularly affecting workers in the informal or precarious labor market who were unable to meet the old contribution threshold due to illness, unemployment, or other disruptions.
Focus on maritime workers
Alongside this pension reform, the government has also introduced Decree No. 2.25.266, which aims to enhance social and medical coverage for maritime workers operating under the profit-sharing model. A forthcoming decision by the Ministry of Economy and Finance will determine new methods for calculating contribution days and redistributing the total income generated by fishing vessels, ensuring continuous coverage throughout the year for this often-overlooked segment of the workforce.
A step toward inclusive social security
By lowering the contribution threshold and introducing retroactive benefits, this reform marks a significant step toward more inclusive social protection in Morocco. It is expected to benefit tens of thousands of retirees from low-income backgrounds who were previously excluded from the pension system, despite years of service.
According to CNSS representatives, this move is part of a wider effort to address historical gaps in the country’s retirement system and reflects Morocco’s adaptation to ongoing socio-economic shifts, including labor market volatility and population aging.
With implementation now underway, the reform signals a new chapter in Morocco’s commitment to strengthening the social safety net and ensuring dignity for all retirees.
