25,000 Retirements

RIYADH, 2 March 2004 — An expected 25,000 civil and military employees will retire this year, according to officials with the pensions department. There were 20,000 retirements last year. The department urged civil and military sectors to complete the required retirement documents on time so that employees do not face any delays in receiving their pension. There are 631,000 pensioners costing an estimated SR1.3 billion monthly. Pensions are paid on the 15th of each month to avoid crowding at banks.