Is it permissible to take money paid to employees in the voluntary redundancy program before retirement age?

It is permissible to take money from the pension system. Many scholars have permitted this, considering what comes from the state as part of its obligation to care for the weak. Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Baz issued a fatwa allowing it, and Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen said that there is no doubt concerning it because it comes from the public treasury (Bayt al-Mal). There is no harm in taking it, whether it is in the form of regular payments or a lump sum, even if it is more or less than what was deducted from the employee.