The court has issued a significant ruling regarding pension eligibility, confirming that employees who have completed 14.5 years or more of service are entitled to receive a pension. Under the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Act of 1976, any period of service lasting six months or more can be rounded up and counted as a full year when determining pension eligibility.
In this case, the court dismissed appeals filed by the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI), which had previously denied pensions to workers whose total service fell just short of 15 years. The judges emphasized that once a worker earns a legal entitlement, such as a pension, it cannot be revoked or denied through administrative instructions or circulars.
The ruling also reinforced the obligation of public institutions to act fairly in administering social welfare programs. By upholding the rounding-off rule, the court ensured that partial years of service are properly recognized, preventing workers from being unfairly excluded from benefits due to technicalities. This judgment protects the rights of long-serving employees, strengthens social security principles, and underscores the legal accountability of institutions managing employee benefits.
