The Tunisian government has officially initiated preparations for a comprehensive reform of the social security system. This reform aims to address various aspects, including retirement, financing of social security funds, expansion of coverage, and new forms of work. The announcement was made on August 18, 2026, when the government decided to start preparing texts related to structural reforms of the social security system.
The proposed reform seeks to revise the retirement system globally and structurally, adapting it to demographic, economic, and social transformations. This move is expected to have significant implications for employees, retirees, employers, and public finances. However, the government has not yet decided on sensitive parameters such as a new retirement age or new contribution rates. The current legal retirement age remains in effect, with 60 years being the reference age in the general regime of the CNSS for non-agricultural employees.
In the public sector, a 2019 reform increased the general retirement age to 62 years, with exceptions for certain categories. The government aims to improve the financial balances of social security funds, but the current consolidated deficit of the CNSS and CNRPS has not been accurately quantified. The reform also seeks to extend social coverage to self-employed individuals, informal workers, certain agricultural activities, and new forms of employment, including platform workers and teleworkers.
A decree issued on April 5, 2022, already regulates telework in the public sector. For the private sector, the Minister of Social Affairs announced on September 13, 2026, that a draft law on remote work has been prepared. The next crucial step will be the publication of the reform texts, which will reveal the actual scope of the reform, including departure age, contributions, financing, and timeline.
The reform's success will depend on its ability to address the challenges facing the social security system while ensuring its sustainability. The government will need to strike a balance between improving benefits and maintaining the system's financial stability. This will require careful consideration of various factors, including demographic trends, economic conditions, and social needs.
The announcement of the reform has sparked interest among stakeholders, who are eager to learn more about the proposed changes. The government is expected to engage in consultations with various parties, including trade unions, employer organizations, and civil society groups, to ensure that the reform is fair and effective.
Key aspects of the reform will be closely watched, including its impact on retirement ages, contribution rates, and social coverage. The government's ability to implement the reform in a way that is both sustainable and equitable will be crucial to its success.
Key points
- The Tunisian government has launched preparations for a comprehensive social security reform aimed at adapting the system to demographic, economic, and social transformations.
- The reform seeks to revise the retirement system, extend social coverage to new groups, and improve the financial balances of social security funds.
- The government aims to publish the reform texts soon, which will reveal the actual scope of the reform, including departure age, contributions, financing, and timeline.
