Brief
UAE pension registrations rise 13.6% to over 190,000 Emiratis
The General Pension and Social Security Authority says registrations jumped 13.6% in 2026, driven by private‑sector growth.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Gulf News reported that the General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA) recorded 190,063 Emiratis registered under the UAE pension system, a 13.6% rise from the previous year.
The authority processed 44,760 registration transactions between January and 21 September 2026. Of these, 40,295 were in the private sector, 2,664 in local government and 1,801 in federal government. By contrast, 48,865 transactions were handled in the same period in 2025, including 43,466 private‑sector registrations.
GPSSA said 111,281 Emiratis are currently insured in the private sector, representing more than half of all registered workers. The agency works with over 23,000 private‑sector employers and collaborates with the Nafis programme, which provides salary support and employment incentives.
Hind Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Pensions Sector at GPSSA, told Gulf News that the authority aims to ensure long‑term financial security for Emiratis regardless of whether they work in government or private companies. She highlighted the role of pension benefits in encouraging Emiratis to pursue private‑sector careers.
GPSSA also reminded employers that eligible Emirati employees must be registered within 30 days of their start date and noted that its digital services have simplified the registration process. The agency’s Wafra financial awareness programme, delivered with Jahiz and Nafis, has trained 6,310 Emiratis on financial planning and retirement preparation.
Key facts
- 190,063 Emiratis are now registered under the UAE pension system (gulfnews.com)
- Registrations increased 13.6% compared with the previous year (gulfnews.com)
- 44,760 registration transactions were processed between Jan and 21 Sep 2026 (gulfnews.com)
- 40,295 of those transactions were in the private sector (gulfnews.com)
- GPSSA works with more than 23,000 private‑sector employers (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “UAE Pension System Sees 13. 6% Growth with Over 190,000 Emiratis Registered”
