Three years after this Government introduced a 23% increase in pensions for members of the Disciplined Forces, this increase will now rise to 29% for members who have served for more than 29 years. At the same time, the period during which members may remain in service and receive a tax-free allowance equivalent to half a year’s salary for every additional year of service is being extended from four to six years.
These two measures, which form part of the commitments announced in the electoral manifesto, are being implemented within the first 100 days of this legislature and are intended to further recognise the dedication of members of the Armed Forces of Malta, the Malta Police Force, the Civil Protection Department and the Correctional Services.
The pension measure builds on an incentive introduced three years ago, which provided a 23% increase in the pension of members of the Disciplined Forces who remained in service for more than 29 years. Under this new measure, the pension increase will rise to 29%, representing an additional 6 percentage-point improvement.
At the same time, the Government will extend the period during which officers who have completed 29 years of service may, if they choose, remain in service for additional years. For each additional year of service, they will be entitled to a tax-free allowance equivalent to half a year’s salary. The maximum period for this incentive will increase from four to six years.
The Minister for Home Affairs and Security, Glenn Bedingfield, said that these measures represent concrete recognition of the work and dedication of those who have devoted their careers to serving the country.
“These are not simply financial measures. They are recognition of the service that members of the Disciplined Forces have given, and continue to give, to our country. After all that you have given and continue to give to the country, the time has come for the country to give more back to you,” the Minister said.
The Minister stressed that these measures will also help retain within the Disciplined Forces the knowledge, skills and experience accumulated over many years of service. “When an officer with decades of experience remains in service, our country is not simply retaining a member of staff. We are investing in further knowledge, expertise and experience that can be of value to future generations,” Minister Bedingfield said.
The Minister also emphasised that security is directly linked to the quality of life of Maltese and Gozitan families. “To live a good life, you need peace of mind when it comes to security. Peace of mind that there is someone taking care of you. That is the role of our Disciplined Forces. Therefore, when we invest in these people, we are also investing in peace of mind and in the quality of life of our families,” the Minister concluded.
