Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued Decree No. 135 of 2026 on Tuesday, May 26, granting pensioners a 30% increase in their pensions, with the increase set to take effect on June 1.
According to the decree, cited by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the increase covers pensioners subject to the insurance and pension laws, the social insurance laws, and their amendments. The decree stipulated that the new pension must not be lower than the general minimum wage set under Decree No. 67 of 2026, amounting to 1,256 new Syrian pounds.
The decree also stipulated that several categories would benefit from the increase, including eligible pension beneficiaries, recipients of natural disability pensions, recipients of total injury disability pensions, and civilian recipients of partial injury disability pensions who are not employed and do not receive an insurance pension from another party.
The decree affirmed that the new pension for workers in public entities, when they are referred to retirement after the decree enters into force, may not be lower than the pension they would have been entitled to before the decree was issued, plus the new increase.
It also set a ceiling on the increase for pensioners who were former workers outside public entities, provided that it does not exceed the highest increase received by retirees who worked in state institutions.
The decree stated that its executive instructions would be issued by a decision from the Minister of Finance, in coordination with the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor. The decree is to be published in the Official Gazette and become effective as of June 1.
Al-Sharaa had affirmed on Monday, May 25, that work was continuing to develop the wage and salary system in Syria, in a way that ensures a dignified life for citizens, both workers and retirees, according to his wording.
Al-Sharaa said in a post on X that the government is continuing to develop the wage and salary system.
He noted that since the “liberation” and until the issuance of Decrees No. 67 and No. 68 of 2026, all workers had benefited from general increases, in addition to more than 861,000 people who benefited from targeted increases in vital sectors.
These measures come as part of a gradual and escalating reform path that balances reality and aspiration in its steps and prospects, according to al-Sharaa.
Previous Decrees to Raise Salaries
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued several decrees on March 20 that included increases in salaries and wages for workers in the public and joint sectors, alongside tax exemptions for some damaged facilities.
Decree No. 67 of 2026 added 50% to the fixed salaries and wages in force on the date of its issuance for workers in ministries, administrations, public institutions, public sector companies, and administrative units, as well as joint sector entities in which the state’s contribution is not less than 50% of the capital.
Al-Sharaa also issued Decree No. 68 of 2026, which provides for targeted increases in the salaries and wages of workers in several public entities, including the ministries of health, higher education, education, and endowments, as well as the Central Bank of Syria and several other government institutions.
In the same context, al-Sharaa signed Decree No. 69 of 2026, related to forming committees to assess damage and grant tax and fee exemptions to commercial, industrial, and tourism facilities, according to approved damage rates.
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