Frequently asked questions

• Previous service periods with any employer subject to the provisions of the Federal Decree-Law

•Previous service period prior to acquiring the UAE nationality

•Previous service periods in any entity determined by the Cabinet

• The individual must be a United Arab Emirates national

• The individual must be between the ages of 18 to 60

• The individual must be medically fit to work upon appointment, as evidenced by an approved medical report

• He/she must work for an employer subject to the provisions of the law applied by the GPSSA

· If they become entitled to a pension for their subsequent service period, they shall be disbursed the larger of the two pensions, whether it's the one they are entitled to for their previous service period or for their subsequent service period

· If they become entitled to a gratuity for their subsequent service period, the gratuity shall be disbursed to them, and the suspended pension shall be reinstated for disbursement

Yes, the employer may reclaim any amounts they paid to the GPSSA that exceed the required contributions, but under condition that they claim them within two years from the date of payment.

Before a rights holder can go to court, they must first appeal the pension or gratuity decision to the Insurance Appeals Committee formed by the Board of Directors, and this must be done within five years of becoming entitled to the pension or end-of-service payment. This means the committee must be petitioned before taking legal action against the employer, and the appeal has a five-year deadline. 

In such case, the employer shall be subject to a fine not exceeding AED 50,000.

 For the service period to be considered automatically merged to his/her subsequent service, the following is required:

1- The Insured must sign the designated forms requesting not to receive the gratuity for the purpose of merging service periods

2- The applicant must join a new employer within six months calculated from the date of termination of his/her previous service as a condition for accepting the request, otherwise the request shall be void and the end-of-service gratuity shall be paid

3- Submission of a request (to add previous service) via the Ma’ashi digital platform within three months from the date of joining the new employer, otherwise the request shall be void and the end-of-service gratuity shall be paid, through the following steps: 

· Log in to the platform

· Select the service “request to add previous service”

· Select the period to be merged

· Select the payment method

· Select the IBAN to be debited

· Send the request to the GPSSA for review

Yes, it is permissible to return to work if he/she is not over the age of 60.

Only the share with the greater pension value is disbursed to the beneficiary. Receiving two shares is not allowed.

If the Insured’s salary is increased and such increase is applied retroactively to cover a period preceding the employer’s decision, the employer is obliged to pay the difference in contributions resulting therefrom to the GPSSA.

The employer shall be liable to pay an additional amount of AED 200 for each day delayed, multiplied by the number of Insured individuals.

Any data requested for the purposes of verifying the contribution rates for the insured.

Only the share with the greater pension value is disbursed to them. Receiving two shares is not allowed.

Yes, a widow may combine her personal pension share with that of her husband’s pension share.

To ensure the continuation of pension payments, pensioners and beneficiaries or their agents must notify the GPSSA of any reason that may lead to suspension of the pension or redistribution among the remaining beneficiaries. Such reasons include decease, employment, and the marriage of daughters and sisters.

Yes, it is permissible for him to return to work.

Yes, they will contribute again if their age is less than 60.

- Their pension disbursement is suspended if their salary from work is equal to or exceeds the amount of their pension

- They will be disbursed from the pension an amount equal to the difference between the pension and the salary, if the salary is less than the amount of the pension

The gratuity or lump-sum payment is treated the same as a salary.

Yes, they can combine the pension and salary without limits if their service period reaches 25 years in the government sector.

They shall be deprived of the pension or gratuity, depending on the circumstance

- Their full share of the pension shall be paid if they are holding the UAE national citizenship.

- Half of the share shall be paid if the beneficiaries are not holding the UAE national citizenship, or if it has been withdrawn from them due to the death of the insured person or the pensioner.

Yes, it is possible. For example, the widow may combine her personal pension with her share of her husband’s pension.

The higher pension shall be distributed among the beneficiaries.

They combine both pensions, as each is from a different retirement fund.

One year

If the insured became entitled to an end-of-service gratuity and then passed away before receiving it, it shall be distributed among the beneficiaries according to their eligible shares in the pension. However, if there are no beneficiaries, it shall be distributed according to the provisions of inheritance in Islamic Sharia.

The gratuity is due for one year and one month, as a part of a month is rounded up to a full month.

· Total deprivation is not permissible for either pension or gratuity payments

· Partial deprivation of a pension or gratuity is permissible if the Insured's service is terminated by a disciplinary decision, with a maximum deduction of one-quarter of the pension or gratuity

· Garnishment for alimony debt is permissible by a judicial order, if it is carried out through the bank account to which the pension or gratuity is transferred, and not directly by the GPSSA

· The GPSSA is not authorized to deduct from the pension or gratuity for the benefit of any other debt

· The GPSSA may deduct and seize from the pension or gratuity only for the benefit of its own debts

· The employer is obliged towards the GPSSA to deduct its debts without limits

In such cases, the beneficiaries receive the full pension amount without deduction.

Yes, there is a minimum share for beneficiaries. If the share falls below this limit, it shall be raised to it.

· AED 800 for the widow or husband

· AED 600 for each of the parents

· AED 400 for the other beneficiaries (children – daughters – brothers and sisters)

From the beginning of the month following the date of decease.

Example: If the date of decease is 20 July 2025, the share shall begin to be paid to the beneficiary as of 1 August 2025, provided that the transaction is complete. If not completed, the payment shall be made retroactively.

If the service of the Insured ends without entitlement to a pension in accordance with the provisions of the Law.

The same pension account salary.

Example: An Insured worked for eleven (11) years in a government entity and his average pension account salary during the last three years of service was AED 20,000.

1.5 × 20,000 × 5 = AED 150,000

2 × 20,000 × 5 = AED 200,000

3 × 20,000 × 1 = AED 60,000

Total entitled gratuity = AED 410,000

The share shall cease in the following cases:

- Marriage

- Employment

- Practice of a profession

Her share shall be reinstated in the case of divorce or widowhood, provided she has no other salary or pension.

- The share shall continue even after reaching the age of twenty-one (21) if he is a student, and it shall cease upon his employment, practice of a profession, or attainment of twenty-eight (28) years of age, whichever occurs first

- The share shall continue if he is unable to earn a living, and it shall cease upon the removal of this disability, unless the Medical Committee decides to maintain his disability status

· The Father’s share of the son’s pension shall cease when

1. The means of dependency are no longer available

2. having a fixed salary

3. or having another pension

· The mother’s share of the son’s pension shall cease if she marries or becomes employed.

The difference shall be paid from the pension up to the limit of his pension share.

· She shall be entitled provided she is unmarried and unemployed

· Her share shall be reinstated in case of divorce or widowhood, provided she has no other salary or pension

· Must be under twenty-one (21) years of age at the date of decease, and his share shall cease upon reaching twenty-one (21) years

· The share shall continue even after reaching the age of twenty-one (21) in the following cases:

1) If he is a student, and it shall cease upon his employment, practice of a profession, or attainment of twenty-eight (28) years of age, whichever occurs first

2) If he is unable to earn a living, and it shall cease upon the removal of this disability, unless the Medical Committee decides to maintain his disability status

· The father must have been dependent on his son for his livelihood during his lifetime

· The mother must be widowed or divorced, or her husband must have been dependent on their deceased son during his lifetime, if she is not entitled to a pension or salary

· Her pension shall cease upon marriage

Employment with an entity registered with the GPSSA, provided that the salary from employment is equal to or exceeds her share of the pension

· Widow(s) or Eligible Husband: (37.5%) of the pension

· Children (Male and Female): (50%) of the pension

· Father, Mother, or both: (12.5%) of the pension

- The shares may vary depending on the case and those supported by the Insured during his lifetime, and brothers and sisters are included in the entitlement.

In such case, the pension amount is distributed equally.

The widow is entitled to her share of the pension if her marital relationship continued until the death of her husband

· Must suffer from a health disability preventing him from earning a living

· The Medical Committee concerned shall establish the disability status

- A retirement pension assuming a service period of thirty-five (35) years, i.e. a pension at the maximum rate of 100% of the average pension account salary, regardless of the actual length of service

- The disability percentage is determined by a decision of the Medical Committee for Pensions Affairs

Compensation of AED 75,000 is granted to the insured in case of total disability and is payable to the heirs in case of his/her decease.

From the day following the date of termination of service due to a decease or termination of service because of a total disability.

Compensation equivalent to the percentage of disability resulting from the injury in relation to full disability compensation.

Example: An insured suffered an injury resulting in the amputation of a finger, and the Medical Committee assessed his partial disability at 40%. He shall be entitled to partial disability compensation according to the following formula:

75,000 × 40% = AED 30,000.

A beneficiary is considered the heir to an insured individual or pensioner. If certain conditions specified by the law are met, the beneficiary and/or heir is entitled to receive a share of the insured or pensioners pension if and when dead/deceased.

Note: The contribution account salary of the spokesperson of the Federal National Council is the same as the contribution account salary, and for the members it is the membership allowance.

100% of the pension account salary.

AED 10,000 per month.

Work injury is:

· An injury resulting from an accident suffered by the Insured while performing his work or because thereof

· An injury resulting from an accident suffered by the Insured during his commute to or from work

· An occupational disease arising from the nature of the materials used at work

· Decease resulting from work-related exhaustion or fatigue

If the injury results in decease or total disability, regardless of the length of service.

· Termination of the insured’s service due to decease, total disability, or unfitness for work, regardless of length of service, provided that a decision is issued by the Medical Committee for Pensions Affairs, which has the authority to determine the status of total disability or unfitness for work

· Termination of the insured’s service upon reaching the retirement age of 60, provided that the service period is at least fifteen (15) years

· Resignation of the Insured at the age of fifty (50) years with twenty (20) years of service (contribution)

· Termination by dismissal, removal, or referral to pension by disciplinary decision or judicial ruling with fifteen (15) years of service – in such cases, ten percent (10%) shall be deducted from the value of the pension

· Issuance of a federal decree or local decree, regardless of the service period – the pension shall be calculated based on fifteen (15) years of service

· For any other reason not provided in Article (16) of the Law, with twenty (20) years of service

· For further details, refer to the cases in Article 16 of the Law

· 60% × pension account salary = pension for fifteen (15) years of service

· 2% of the pension account salary for each year exceeding fifteen (15) years

Example: Assume an Insured with twenty (20) years of service.

Average pension account salary = AED 25,000

Pension percentage:

60% for the first fifteen (15) years

10% for the five (5) additional years

 70% × AED 25,000 = AED 17,500, which is the pension value

A gratuity is granted equal to three (3) months for each additional year, calculated on the basis of the pension account salary.

Example: An Insured whose service ended after thirty-eight (38) years, with an average pension account salary of AED 25,000.

Gratuity = 3 × 25,000 × 3 = AED 275,000, in addition to the retirement pension.

It is granted if the Insured’s service ends due to natural decease and is distributed among the legal heirs. Its amount is AED 60,000.

In the Government Sector: It is the average contribution account salary for the last three (3) years of service, meaning the sum of contribution account salaries over three years divided by 36.

In the Private Sector: It is the average contribution account salary for the last five (5) years of service. That is, the sum of contribution account salaries over five years divided by 60.

 In the table below, the entitlement percentages from the average are shown.

It is a hypothetical period granted by law, purchased for financial consideration, and is merged to the actual service period of the insured with the aim of improving the pension percentage upon retirement.

1. The insured must express his/her desire to purchase before the end of service by submitting the request through the Ma’ashi digital platform, via the following steps:

· Log on to the platform

· Select the service “purchase of nominal period”

· Select the payment method

· Select the IBAN to be debited

· Submit the request for GPSSA’s review

2- The insured must have completed an actual service period of at least (20)years at the time of submitting the purchase request

3- The period requested for purchase must not exceed five (5) years for the male Insured and ten (10) years for the female insured

4- The cost of purchase must be paid before the end of service

5- The maximum limit for purchasing a notional service period is to complete (35) years of service

It is permissible if he/she has completed fifteen (15) years of actual service, subject to the purchase conditions.

· The insured must pay their share and the employer's share of the contributions for the purchased periods

· Cost of purchase = contribution account salary at the date of submitting the request × 20% × service period to be purchased in months

· The cost of purchase shall be paid in a lump sum

or in instalments as follows: An initial cash payment equal to 50% of the total cost of purchase. The remainder shall be paid in monthly instalments, not less than one-quarter of the monthly salary, and the instalment period shall not exceed four (4) years or the Insured’s attainment of the age of sixty, whichever occurs first

· If the Insured’s service ends without full payment of the cost of purchase, the purchased periods shall be calculated corresponding to the amounts actually paid

· If the Insured dies before the collection of installments is complete, the collection shall continue from the pensions of the beneficiaries

Purchase is limited to a service period and not to age.

The end-of-service gratuity is disbursed to the insured who requests "non-disbursement for merge purposes" upon their decease, if they reached the retirement age or if they recall their request, provided that these events occur before the completion of the merge request procedures.

Yes, it is allowed, and upon termination of his/her service, he/she shall be treated based on both periods merged, subject to the following conditions:

• The merge request must be submitted within one year from the date of returning to work

• He/she must not exceed sixty (60) years of age at the time of applying upon return to work

• The merge shall be limited to the actual service period that was calculated for the pension, as well as purchased service periods, and actual service periods for which an exceptional pension was received. In all cases, it is not permissible to fragment the service period intended for merge

• The value of the pension amount disbursed from the date of returning to work must be refunded

• In cases where combining pension and salary is permissible, the pension shall be suspended from the month following the acceptance of the merge request

• In cases where combining pension and salary is not allowed, the value of the pension disbursed from the date of returning to work must be refunded

• The Insured's service for which they were entitled to a pension is merged with their subsequent service without any costs in cases where their Contribution Account Salary at the date of submitting the merge request is equal to or less than their Pension Account Salary

· The cost is calculated based on the following: (difference between pension account salary and contribution account salary at the date of submitting the merging request x 20% x Duration of the pensioned service period to be merged (in months)

Example: 

Pension Account Salary = AED 20,000

Contribution Account Salary = AED 22,000

Service Period to Be Merged = 20 years of service (equivalent to 240 months)

Calculation shall be made as follows: 22,000 – 20,000 × 20% × 240 = AED 96,000

· These costs shall be paid in a lump sum or in instalments at the request of the insured, provided that he pays 50% of these costs and the remainder in monthly instalments not less than one-quarter of the contribution account salary at the date of submitting the merging request. In all cases, full payment of costs before the end of service is required

The obligation to pay instalments shall be extinguished if the insured’s service ends by death, provided that at least fifty percent (50%) of the total due cost has been paid; if less than 50% has been paid, the remaining balance up to that percentage shall be deducted from the pensions of the beneficiaries. The insured’s obligation to pay the instalments of merging shall be extinguished if his/her service ends by death, if he/she has paid fifty percent (50%) of the total cost of addition. If less than 50% has been paid, the remaining balance up to that percentage shall be deducted from the pensions of the beneficiaries.

Yes. He/she shall be subject to the Law from the date of acquiring nationality and may add his/her previous service periods as any Insured in accordance with the merge provisions.

Yes, the Insured may pay the cost of the merge either in a lump sum or in monthly instalments over ten (10) years, provided that the monthly instalment is not less than one-quarter of the contribution account salary, and the cost must be fully settled before the end of his/her service period or before reaching the age of 60, whichever occurs first.

The merged service periods shall be calculated corresponding to the amounts actually paid.

Merged service periods shall be calculated in proportion to the contributions actually paid.

The Federal Decree-Law, in Article 8 dedicated to the rules and conditions of merging employment years, stipulates that if the insured chooses not to receive the due end-of-service gratuity payment, those years will be automatically merged upon joining a new job, in which case the provisions of the Shourak service apply.

- The insured who has met the entitlement conditions and disbursement of pension according to the Law

- The Insured whose service period is less than one year

- The insured transferring from another pension fund to an employer affiliated with the GPSSA

Merging service periods enables insured individuals to combine previous service periods with their subsequent service period, ensuring a continuous service period. This not only increases the likelihood of meeting the minimum eligibility for pension benefits but can also enhance the final pension amount.

· Previous service periods with any employer subject to the provisions of the Law

· Previous service period before acquiring citizenship of UAE nationality

· Previous service periods in any entity determined by the Board of Directors

· Military service period

1- The insured must express his/her desire to merge the service period before the end of his/her current service by submitting the request via the Ma’ashi digital platform through the following steps:

· Log on to the platform

· Click on the “Personal Profile”

· Click on “Employment Data”

· Click on “Add Job” with the necessity of attaching a certificate of the value of the end-of-service gratuity from the relevant fund

· Submit for GPSSA’s review - After the application is approved

· Select the service “Request to Merge Previous Service”

· Select the period to be merged

· Select the payment method

· Select the IBAN to be debited

· Submit the request for GPSSA’s review

2- The periods intended for merging must not have been terminated for reasons that would result in forfeiture of pension or gratuity

3- The periods intended for merging must not include temporary service periods or training periods before appointment.

The insured must pay the costs of merging, covering both their share and the employer's share of contributions for the periods intended for merging.

The insured bears the cost of merging, which amounts to their share and the employer's share of contributions for the periods intended to be merged. This cost is calculated based on the Contribution Account Salary at the date of submitting the merge request.

• The Insured is responsible for paying both their share and the employer's share of contributions for the periods intended for merging

• The cost of merging = Contribution Account Salary at the date of submitting the merging request × 26% × Duration of service to be merged (in months)

• The cost of merging, or a portion thereof, must be paid as a lump sum within (30) days from the date of approval of the merging request. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the merge request

The employer must register the employee with the GPSSA within (30) days from the date of their joining service.

The employer must provide the GPSSA with names of the insured employees whose service has ended within a maximum of fifteen (15) days from the date of termination of their service.

The violation shall be applied as follows:

• AED 5,000 for each Insured contributor
• Refund of the excess amounts to the insured

In such case, the employer shall be subject to a fine not exceeding AED 50,000.

In such case, the employer is liable towards the GPSSA to pay an additional amount at the rate of one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) of the value of the contributions due for each day delayed, without the need for notice or warning.

Contributions are payable from the first day of the month following the month for which they are due, and may be extended until the 15^th day of that month.

Example: Contributions for the month of June are payable starting from 1 July and may be extended until 15 July.

Contributions are paid to the GPSSA for the entire month in which the service begins and are not due for the portion of the month in which the service ends.

The primary employer remains obligated to pay contributions without any deductions as long as the insured individual is a contributor and works for the entity to which they are seconded, without any amendment to the registration file. The contributions paid by the seconded employer are collected in coordination with the original employer.

The employer shall be liable before the GPSSA for an additional amount calculated at 0.1% (one-tenth of one percent) of the value of the overdue contributions for each delayed day without warning or notification. In all cases, the additional amount should not exceed the value of the due contributions.

In this case, the employer becomes obligated to pay an additional amount of ten percent (10%) of the value of the due contributions, without prior notice or warning.

Spokespeople at the Federal National Council: Minister’s contribution account salary

Members: Membership allowance

· Periods of suspension from work without salary

· Periods of work interruption resulting in salary deprivation

· Previous periods for which the Insured was deprived of his/her pension or gratuity due to a disciplinary decision or judicial ruling

· Periods that may not be merged pursuant to the provisions of the federal pension laws

- In the Government Sector: Monthly contribution account salary

- In the Private Sector: The Insured’s contribution salary on the month of January of each year

- Contributions shall be paid according to the contribution account salary of the month in which he/she joined the service until the following January, after which contributions shall be paid on the basis of the January salary of each year

- Any changes to salary, whether increase or decrease, after January or after the month of joining service, shall not be considered until the following January

If the Insured’s salary is increased and such increase is applied retroactively to cover a period preceding the employer’s decision, the employer is obliged to pay the difference in contributions resulting therefrom to the GPSSA.

The date of birth stated in the Emirates Identification Card at the time of contribution with the GPSSA. The date of birth may be amended if done within one year from the date of contribution.

It is the salary upon which contributions are paid, as follows:

· Components of Contribution Account Salary in the Government Sector: Monthly basic salary + cost of living allowance + social allowance for the citizen + social allowance for children + housing allowance.

· Components of Contribution Account Salary in the Private Sector: Basic salary + benefits + regular allowances and stipends. Total fixed contracted salary shall be no less than AED 1,000 and not exceed AED 50,000

Contributions are paid based on the contribution account salary.

- AED 300,000

Government Sector:

· Ministries, public institutions, and authorities, as well as companies and banks in which the federal government participates.

· Local government entities (the governments of Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, and Ajman).

Private Sector:

· Every natural or legal person (sole establishment, office, or company) employing citizens and in which neither the federal government nor any of the governments of the member Emirates of the Union participates.

The provisions of Federal Decree-Law No. 57 of 2023 became effective on October 31, 2023.

· The law applies to every citizen who was in service before 31 October 2023 with an entity subject to Federal Law No. (7) of 1999 regarding pension and social security and its amendments

· Any insured individual who was previously covered by Pension Law No. 7 of 1999

· A minister or equivalent who was a contributor under Pension Law No. 7 of 1999, even if he/she became a minister for the first time as of 31 October 2023 onwards

· A pensioner from the GPSSA before 31 October 2023 who returns to work provided, he/she is under 60 years of age

- An insured who received an end-of-service gratuity for a period of service prior to 31 October 2023 and returned to work with an entity subject to the GPSSA after this date, provided he/she is under 60 years of age

- The minister who retired under Law No. 7 of 1999 and returned to work after 31 October 2023 with an entity participating with the GPSSA, provided he/she is under 60 years of age

· The individual must be a United Arab Emirates national

· The individual must be between the ages of 18 to 60

· The individual must be medically fit to work upon appointment, as evidenced by an approved medical report

· He/she must work for an employer subject to the provisions of the law applied by the GPSSA

A UAE national to whom the provisions of Federal Law No. 7 of 1999 regarding pension and social security and its amendments apply, whether male or female, whereby he or she becomes insured with the GPSSA, and is entitled to all insurance, pension and gratuity benefits.