133,514 Emirati women insured under GPSSA’s pension coverage
13,238 Emirati women retirees under GPSSA’s pension scheme
16,717 female pension beneficiaries under GPSSA’s coverage
17 Emirati women insured under the Self-Employment Coverage Scheme
Abu Dhabi, UAE – 7 September 2026 – The General Pension and Social Security
Authority (GPSSA) affirmed that empowering Emirati women is a key pillar of the UAE’s
comprehensive development strategy, given their pivotal role in the nation’s progress,
their active contributions across various professional fields, and their influence in
supporting their families and inspiring their communities.
As part of its efforts to mark Emirati Women’s Month, the Authority shed light on the social
protection umbrella provided by the pension and social security systems, which are
specifically designed to meet the needs of working Emirati women, enhance their financial
stability, and enable them to ensure a more secure future, all within a comprehensive
legislative framework that accommodates the various stages of their professional and
personal lives.
GPSSA data reflects the prominent presence of Emirati women in the labour market, with
133,514 Emirati women among the insured individuals registered with the Authority,
according to the latest 2026 statistics. This strong presence underscores their active role
across various fields of work in both the government and private sectors, as well as their
growing contribution to the UAE’s comprehensive and sustainable development.
The data also shows that 13,238 Emirati women retirees currently benefit from GPSSA,
while the number of eligible female beneficiaries amount to 16,717. In addition, 17 Emirati
women are registered as insured individuals under the Self-Employment Scheme.
GPSSA Classification: Open
Hind Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Pensions Sector at GPSSA, said: “Emirati
Women’s Month presents an ideal opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements and
renew our commitment to their empowerment across all fields. The theme, ‘Together, We
Emerge Stronger and Better’, perfectly embodies the vision and directives of Her
Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union,
President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, Supreme Chairwoman
of the Family Development Foundation, and Mother of the Nation, who established a
robust system for supporting Emirati women, elevating their status, and enhancing their
active role in the family, society, and the workplace.”
“The impact of empowering women goes beyond simply highlighting their achievements;
it is a direct investment in family stability and social cohesion,” Al Suwaidi added.
“Enhancing the financial security and family stability of Emirati women reflects directly on
the quality of life of their family and community. This, in turn, underscores the profound
strategic and social impact of the policies and initiatives that the UAE continues to adopt
to support and empower women.”
The General Pensions and Social Security Authority reaffirmed its commitment to
enhancing the financial security and stability of Emirati women throughout the different
stages of their lives, which it strives to achieve through a comprehensive social security
system that covers them from their working years all the way to retirement and beyond.
Pension laws and legislation translate this commitment through a series of provisions that
cater to women’s specific needs and family circumstances, providing them and their
families with sustainable financial protection.
Among the most prominent aspects of this protection is the unique provision granted to
women exclusively, allowing a widow to combine her own salary from employment, or her
personal retirement pension, with her rightful share of her deceased husband’s pension.
This crucial right helps maintain her financial stability and ensures the continuity of the
family’s income following the loss of a provider.
GPSSA Classification: Open
Furthermore, Federal Law by Decree No. (57) of 2023 Concerning Pension and Social
Security, significantly enhanced the protection granted to the family of the insured or the
pensioner after their passing by redistributing the percentage of the pension granted to all
beneficiaries. The law increased the share allocated to the widow (or widows, if there are
multiple) to 40% of the pension, alongside 40% for the children (male and female), and
20% for the father, mother, or both. This restructuring strengthens the family’s social
security umbrella and bolsters their ability to navigate potential financial changes.
In addition to the protection provided to women and their families, the pension laws take
into consideration the specific trajectory of their professional and family life as working
mothers. The legislation grants benefits related to the retirement age and subscription
period based on the number of children, providing the mother with greater flexibility in
planning her career and retirement, and helping her strike a balance between her various
responsibilities.
Additionally, Federal Law by Decree No. (57) of 2023 stipulates that an insured married,
divorced, or widowed woman is entitled to a pension upon the termination of her service
at her request, provided she has reached the age of 55 and completed a 30-year
subscription period. The law also permits a reduction of the required subscription period
by two years, and the retirement age by three years, for both the fifth and sixth child. For
a seventh child, the subscription period is reduced by three and a half years, and the
retirement age by four years.
Together, these benefits embody a legislative process that keeps pace with the evolving
needs of Emirati women throughout their lives, offering them broader options for planning
their financial and retirement futures, enhancing their sense of security and stability, and
empowering them to continue their vital role in their families and communities, as well as
in the UAE’s ongoing development journey.
