On Wednesday, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri and Social Security Minister Michael Falzon announced a significant policy change. Spouses of individuals who pass away while serving in the disciplined forces, but not due to direct duty-related causes, will now be entitled to a service pension for a period of five years.
Currently, a service pension is granted to widowed spouses of those in the disciplined forces who die in the line of duty.
Camilleri emphasised that the existing provisions will remain intact. Going forward, spouses of individuals within the disciplined forces who pass away for reasons unrelated to their service will also receive a limited service pension. This decision reflects an acknowledgment of the sacrifices and hard work made by families in support of their loved ones in the disciplined forces.
Falzon added that the service pension will be provided in addition to the regular widows’ pension and will be retroactively applied for anyone who lost a spouse employed in the disciplined forces from January 1, 2022.
This measure will be applicable to spouses of individuals who have served for a minimum of ten years.
For spouses whose partners pass away before their projected retirement, the full five years of service pension will be granted.
For those whose spouses were within five years of retirement or reaching 25 years of service, a pension will be provided for the remaining years. Members of the disciplined forces, including the Armed Forces of Malta, police, civil protection, and prison service, have the option to retire on a pension after 25 years of service.
Additionally, partners of individuals working in a disciplined force who are unmarried but are in a civil partnership or cohabitating with their spouse will also be eligible for these benefits.
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