Private-Sector Employee
Retirement eligibility in the Kurdistan Region still follows the older 1971 pension law, not federal Iraq's newer 2023 reform.
Federal Iraq replaced the old Social Security and Pension Law No. 39 of 1971 with a new Social Security Law No. 18 of 2023, which expanded coverage and adjusted retirement rules. However, that 2023 law has not been approved by the Kurdistan Region presidency and does not currently apply here — the Kurdistan Region continues to operate under the older Law No. 39 of 1971. Under that law, male workers could retire after 20 years of service or at age 60, and female workers after 20 years of service or at age 55. Confirm your specific eligibility with the Directorate of Social Security for Workers, since administrative practice can evolve before formal legal adoption.
Legal basis
Under Law No. 39 of 1971 (still applicable in Kurdistan): male workers retire after 20 years of service or age 60; female workers after 20 years of service or age 55. Federal Law No. 18 of 2023 has not been adopted in the Kurdistan Region.
Social Security and Pension Law for Workers No. 39 of 1971 (still applicable in Kurdistan Region)
Source: Legal/business press reporting on Iraq's Social Security Law No. 18 of 2023 and its non-adoption in the Kurdistan Region, 2026
Last verified: 13 Sept 2026
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