Source: Xinhua| 2019-09-18 22:52:55|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Brunei government will continue to ensure the social welfare of the people to be the highest priority in line with the objective of the ASEAN Social Security Association (ASSA), local media reported on Wednesday, quoting Haji Aminuddin Ihsan, Brunei's Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports.

According to the Borneo Bulletin, the minister highlighted during the opening ceremony of the 36th ASSA Board Meeting held here that the commitment is clearly reflected in the universal provision of basic necessities such as free education and medical services, as well subsidies for basic needs such as rice, fuel and housing.

The minister shared that the Brunei government also provides two types of retirement benefits. One is the defined-contribution retirement benefit known as the Employees Trust Fund scheme and the Supplemental Contributory Pension scheme.

The second type is the Old Age Pension, which is a non-means tested benefit scheme where every citizen will receive financial assistance of 250 Brunei dollars (182 U.S. dollars) upon reaching the age of 60.

"In order to overcome the ever-changing challenges in the field of social security, it is important to continuously improve our benefits," the minister was quoted as saying during the ASSA meeting.