The UAE Pension Services Information framework provides comprehensive social security coverage for UAE nationals and GCC residents, with the General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA) overseeing a robust system that includes a maximum pensionable salary of AED 70,000 for private sector and AED 100,000 for public sector employees, contribution rates of 26% (11% employee, 15% employer), and innovative digital services through the Ma’ashi platform.
Key Takeaways:
- 26% contribution on AED 70k–100k caps.
- Full pension: 55 years, 30 years service.
- Early retirement: men 55/20, women 50/20.
- One-month registration deadline enforced.
- 0.1% daily late-payment fines from July 2025.
- Ma’ashi platform + mobile council deliver digital services.
UAE Pension System Structure Explained
The UAE pension system operates through federal and emirate-specific plans, ensuring comprehensive coverage for UAE nationals while allowing each emirate to customize provisions according to local needs.
Federal Pension Scheme Overview and Recent Enhancements
The federal pension system, administered by the General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA), covers most emirates with significant improvements implemented through Federal Decree Law No. 57 of 2023, which remains the current framework in 2025:
- Increased maximum pensionable salary: AED 70,000 for private sector, AED 100,000 for public sector
- Standardized contribution rates: 26% total (11% employee, 15% employer)
- Government support: 2.5% contribution on behalf of private sector employers for employees earning less than AED 20,000
- Pension calculation: 2.67% of pensionable salary per year, up to 30 years of service
- Minimum retirement age: 55 years with 30 years of service
- Early retirement provisions: Available for men at 55 years with 20 years of service and women at 50 years with 20 years of service
Learn About: Registering for UAE Pass Digital Identity
Pension Regulatory Framework and Compliance
The UAE maintains stringent pension regulations enforced by the GPSSA, requiring employers to register Emirati employees within one month of employment and report terminations promptly to avoid penalties. Starting July 2025, employers face daily penalties of 0.1% on outstanding social security contributions for GCC national employees, emphasizing the importance of timely compliance.
Non-compliance with registration requirements (within one month of employment) and failure to report terminations promptly will result in significant financial penalties that accumulate daily. Ref.: “KPMG. (2025). GMS Flash Alert 2025-138 United Arab Emirates.”
Emirate-Specific Pension Systems
While most emirates follow the federal framework, several maintain specialized pension systems:
- Abu Dhabi: Operates its own pension fund under Law No. 2 of 2000, with unique provisions including early retirement options and specialized calculation methods
- Dubai: Implements specific retirement procedures for government employees through Decree No. 21 of 2017, ensuring equal opportunities and standardized evaluation processes
- Sharjah: Maintains a customized pension plan designed to meet local requirements while integrating with national objectives
Emirate-specific pension systems create a complex regulatory landscape: Abu Dhabi operates under Law No. 2 of 2000 with its own 2023 amendments, Dubai implements Decree No. 21 of 2017 for government employees, and Sharjah maintains customized provisions. Employers must navigate these differences while ensuring compliance with both federal and emirate-level requirements. Ref.: “UAE Government. (2025). Pensions and social security for UAE citizens. The Official Portal of the UAE Government.”
UAE Pension Services Information and Digital Transformation
The UAE Pension Services ecosystem has evolved significantly in 2025, with digital transformation initiatives and enhanced service delivery mechanisms improving accessibility and user experience for all stakeholders.
Mandatory Registration Requirements
Registration in the UAE pension system is compulsory for Emirati workers in both public and private sectors. Employers must register their Emirati employees with the GPSSA within one month of employment. The contribution structure requires UAE nationals in private employment to contribute 26% of their pensionable salary, with 11% paid by the employee and 15% by the employer, plus an additional 2.5% government contribution for those earning less than AED 20,000 monthly.
Eligibility Criteria for UAE Nationals
UAE nationals seeking pension coverage must meet specific requirements:
- Age requirement: Between 18 and 60 years at registration
- Medical fitness: Certified by approved medical authorities
- Retirement eligibility: 55 years with 30 years of service for full pension
- Early retirement options: Available for men at 55 years with 20 years of service and women at 50 years with 20 years of service
- Special provisions: Women with five or more children may qualify for early retirement with reduced service requirements
Read more: Disability Support Services in UAE
GCC Nationals Coverage and Integration
GCC nationals working in the UAE receive pension coverage through the Unified Protection Extension System, which ensures they receive the same social security benefits as in their home countries. This mandatory system requires employers to register GCC nationals and remit contributions according to the employee’s home country pension regulations, with the UAE GPSSA overseeing implementation and compliance enforcement.
Digital Innovation and Mobile Services in 2025
The UAE Pension Services Information landscape has been transformed through digital innovation, with the GPSSA launching several initiatives in 2025 to enhance service delivery and accessibility.
Mobile Pensions Council Initiative
In August 2025, the GPSSA launched the Mobile Pensions Council, an innovative on-site service program that brings pension services directly to government and private sector workplaces. This initiative eliminates the need for beneficiaries to visit service centers by providing:
- Direct pension services and legal consultations
- Real-time data updates and transaction processing
- Awareness programs about pension laws and retirement planning
- Electronic document processing using mobile devices
The Mobile Pensions Council aligns with the UAE’s “Year of Community” 2025 theme and strengthens communication between the GPSSA and the public while supporting social and economic stability for UAE nationals.
Visit service centers by providing direct pension services, legal consultations, real-time data updates, and awareness programs about pension laws and retirement planning. Ref.: “General Pension and Social Security Authority. (2025). Launches ‘Mobile Pensions Council’.”
Enhanced Digital Platform Integration
The Ma’ashi digital platform, launched in 2024, continues to evolve in 2025 with enhanced features and UAE PASS integration implemented from March 17, 2025. The platform provides:
- Self-service capabilities for insured members, reducing employer dependency
- Proactive retirement planning tools with pension calculation features
- Real-time contribution tracking and payment processing
- Services for pensioners, beneficiaries, agents, and guardians
- 24/7 access with international standard security protocols
The UAE Pension Services Information ecosystem represents a comprehensive, forward-thinking approach to social security, combining traditional pension benefits with innovative digital solutions to serve the evolving needs of UAE nationals and GCC residents in 2025 and beyond.
Check out the below:
The UAE pension system, governed by Federal Decree Law No. 57 of 2023, mandates 26% salary contributions (11% employee, 15% employer) on capped amounts—AED 70,000 private, AED 100,000 public—managed by GPSSA. Retirement at 55/30 years yields full pension; early exit is possible at 55/20 (men) or 50/20 (women). Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah operate emirate-specific variants, while GCC nationals are covered via the Unified Protection Extension System aligned to home-country rules.
GPSSA enforces one-month registration deadlines and, from July 2025, 0.1% daily penalties on late GCC contributions. Digital service delivery is centered on the Ma’ashi platform (UAE PASS-integrated since March 2025) and the August 2025 Mobile Pensions Council, offering on-site consultations, real-time updates and 24/7 self-service tools for insured members, pensioners and beneficiaries.
