Pensions and Disability Act (1954)

Brunei’s Pensions and Disability Act is in existence for over 50 years and throughout the years as the country’s national income increases due to oil and gas wealth, so too the benefits received by the elderly over 60 years of age and the physically challenged population of the country.

In 1955, only B$20 was given to the elderly and the physically challenged, those who are paralyzed, had Hansen (leprosy), mental disorder and are visually impaired (15 years old and above), are now given B$250 for their monthly allowance.

In 2006, the Government spent about B$39 million in pensions and disability allowance and 17,000 recipients are for elderly people. The highest number of recipient resides in the Brunei Muara District at 9,000 elderly and then Belait District at 3,686 elderly people. The government estimated that by the year 2021, about 35,000 elderly people in the country upped from 19,000 people in year 2004.

Allowances are also given to the dependents of people who had leprosy, mental disorder and visually impaired. The wife are given $188 monthly allowance while children under the age of 15 years old are given B$113 while those above the age of 15 years old will be given $188 until they are 21 years of age.