Kuala Lumpur:The Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) has successfully reduced the average processing time for contributor benefit claims from 5.3 days in 2024 to 2.7 days last year.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan highlighted that this improvement in service delivery aligns with the Client Charter, ensuring that quality standards remain optimal. The initial response time for complaint processing has also been reduced from three days in 2024 to one day in 2025.

Starting in 2025, the processing time for benefit applications under the Employment Injury Scheme, Self-Employment Social Security Scheme, and Housewives' Social Security Scheme was shortened to an average of 2.7 days compared to the previous year. This improvement was in response to a question from V. Ganabatirau (PH-Klang) about reforms to enhance PERKESO's operational efficiency and the mismatch between the Invalidity Pension rate and the current cost of living.

Khairul Firdaus stated that from January 1 to December 31, 2025, PERKESO's Client Charter performance for the overall benefit claim and payment process across the three schemes averaged 96.86 percent. Addressing the Invalidity Pension issue, he noted that the government conducts periodic reviews of pension rates every three to five years, considering factors such as the rising cost of living, inflation rates, and the sustainability of the organisation's funds.

The Deputy Minister further explained that the indicators and mechanisms used to determine increases in the minimum pension rate are based on actuarial assessment studies by the International Labour Organisation, taking into account the current social and economic conditions. These findings serve as a crucial benchmark to ensure that monthly payments are adequate for recipients to meet their needs.