Malawi’s Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, S. Chithyola, has issued the Pension (Exemption) Order 2025 to exempt designated employee categories from mandatory pension contributions under the Pension Act, 2023. The Order establishes clear definitions for domestic workers, expatriates, and seasonal employees while listing exempted classes that include the President, Vice-Presidents, Members of Parliament, councillors, and short-term contract staff. By formally revoking the 2011 and 2015 exemption orders, this legislation consolidates pension eligibility rules for these groups effective April 2025.
S. CHITHYOLA
(REF. NO. FIN/PFSPD/01/06) Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs
GOVERNMENT NOTICE NO. 63
PENSION ACT
(NO. 6 OF 2023)
PENSION (EXEMPTIONS) ORDER, 2025
IN EXERCISE of powers conferred by section 11 of the Pension Act, 2023, I, SIMPLEX
CHITHYOLA, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, in consultation with the Minister
responsible for labour and with the Registrar, make the following Order__
This Order may be cited as the Pension (Exemptions) Order, 2025.
In this Order, unless the context otherwise requires__
“domestic work” means work performed in or for a household;
“domestic worker” means any person engaged in domestic work
within an employment relationship;
“expatriate” means an employee of foreign origin working in
Malawi and holding a valid Temporary Employment Permit; and
“seasonal employee” means an employee who is engaged in
seasonal employment as provided for in the Employment Act.
The classes or categories of employees set out in the Schedule shall
be exempt from the application of the Act.
The following Orders are revoked__
(a) the Pension (Salary Threshold and Exemption) Order, 2011; and
(b) the Pension (Exempted Classes or Categories of Employers or
Employees) Order, 2015.
Citation
Interpretation
Cap. 51:01
Exempt
classes or
categories of
employees
Revocation
Cap. 55:02
sub reg. pgs.
51 and 52
426 4th July, 2025
SCHEDULE (para. 3)
EXEMPT CLASS OR CATEGORY OF EMPLOYEES
The President
The First Vice-President
The Second Vice-President
A member of Parliament
A councillor
A domestic worker
An employee on a non-renewable contract for a specified task, whose term does not
exceed a period of six months
An employee who, at the time of engagement, is above the retirement age of the
employer
An expatriate
A seasonal employee on a non-renewable contract
Made this 15th day of April, 2025.
S. CHITHYOLA
(REF. NO. FIN/PFSPD/01/06) Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs
4th July, 2025 427
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