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The General Authority for Pensions and Social Security clarified that four distinct service periods do not count toward pension subscription calculations. These include suspension from work without salary and absence from work that results in loss of salary. Periods in which the insured individual was deprived of a pension or gratuity through a disciplinary decision or court ruling are also excluded, as are any periods barred under federal pension laws, according to the clarification reported by Al Khaleej newspaper.
Insured persons seeking to add previous service years to their records may settle the required costs through a lump-sum payment or instalments. Instalment payments must amount to at least one-quarter of the monthly salary, with the full repayment period not exceeding four years or the date the insured reaches age 60, whichever occurs first. If service terminates before full repayment, only the paid portion counts toward the pension entitlement, the authority’s guidance stated.
In the event of the insured person’s death before completing payment for added service years, the outstanding obligation is waived provided at least 50 percent of the cost has been settled. Should the threshold remain unmet, the remainder is deducted from pensions due to beneficiaries. The authority’s clarification, published on June 16, 2026, emphasised these mechanics to ensure transparency in the buyback process for prior contributions.
The General Authority for Pensions and Social Security further detailed four exceptions under which retirees or their beneficiaries may combine pensions with salaries from new employment. These cover retirees who completed at least 25 years of government service where termination was not due to dismissal or disciplinary action. Recipients of pensions from another retirement fund, individuals entitled to pensions for service before the current law took effect and certain beneficiaries such as widows combining specific entitlements also qualify, according to the authority’s outline.
Federal Law by Decree No. 57 of 2023 Concerning Pension and Social Security, which entered into force on Oct. 31, 2023, introduced these and other updates to the UAE’s retirement framework, the official legislation portal reported. The statute raised the maximum pensionable salary from AED50,000 to AED70,000 per month and shifted pension calculations to the average monthly pensionable salary over the last six years of service. It also aligned provisions for Emirati nationals across government and private sectors, permitting combination of pension and salary for those meeting qualifying service thresholds.
The government information portal u.ae noted that an Emirati national qualifies for a pension upon reaching age 60 with a minimum insured service period, while the authority maintains ongoing clarifications to support compliance with the updated rules. Employers must register Emirati employees within set timelines and report departures promptly to avoid daily penalties, a separate GPSSA directive from July 2026 indicated. These measures collectively reinforce the pension system’s integrity following the 2023 legislative overhaul.
