Opinion Writers: Social Security Amendments Under The Microscope

In a broad review of Tuesday's opinion pages in Jordanian newspapers, debate over the proposed amendments to the Social Security Law dominated commentary, amid rising public concern about their impact on contributors' rights and official assurances emphasizing the need to strengthen the fund's long term financial sustainability.

In Al Ghad, columnist Mahmoud Khattatbeh questioned whether the proposed changes lacked sharper actuarial judgment in weighing the available options. He argued that the three alternatives under discussion, raising contribution rates, lowering the benefit accrual factor, or increasing the required number of contributions for early retirement and raising the mandatory retirement age, appear to place the heaviest burden on contributors, particularly in the private sector. Khattatbeh maintained that dismissing a higher contribution rate simply because workers would share part of the increase does not eliminate it as a viable, even if painful, option. By contrast, he warned that extending contribution years could disrupt the labor market and undermine public confidence in the institution. He also cautioned that public debate may be narrowly focused on these headline options while other provisions affecting pension calculations receive insufficient scrutiny.

In Ad Dustour, Hussein Rawashdeh examined the issue through a wider political and economic lens, arguing that Jordanians find themselves squeezed between mounting regional tensions and intensifying domestic economic pressures. That reality, he wrote, requires policymakers to rethink priorities. Economic reforms, including changes to Social Security, should be approached from a state centered perspective rather than reduced to cold fiscal calculations. Ignoring the social dimension, he warned, risks deepening public anxiety and frustration. He called for reinforcing internal stability and avoiding rushed solutions that could spark broader crises.

Meanwhile, in Al Rai, Essam Qudmani challenged the characterization of the Social Security Fund as a sovereign wealth fund. He stressed that it is primarily a pension insurance fund, with investments aimed at strengthening its financial position and meeting future obligations, not pursuing political or sovereign investment agendas. Reviewing recent performance, he noted fluctuating returns shaped by economic conditions and cautioned that assigning the fund responsibilities beyond its core mandate could create unrealistic expectations among the public.

Together, the columns reflect the sensitivity surrounding Social Security reform in Jordan, an issue that directly affects citizens' economic and social security and leaves the government balancing between protecting contributors' rights and ensuring the fund's sustainability for future generations.

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