According to the Emirates News Agency, the General Pension and Social Security Authority joined the technical seminar on digital and management innovations in social security institutions organized by the International Social Security Association and hosted by Qatar’s General Retirement and Social Insurance Authority. Mohammed Hassan Al Zaabi, director of the insurance and contributions department, outlined the UAE’s legislative updates and initiatives to increase the number of people covered by the pension system. The authority also joined a panel discussion on strengthening institutional performance through administrative reforms while sharing national experiences in social protection services.
GPSSA figures show that the number of insured Emiratis reached 190,063 by August 2026, an increase of 13.6 percent from the previous year. The count of pensioners stood at 35,015, up 10.4 percent, while beneficiaries totaled 18,585, a 2 percent rise, according to data reviewed at the authority’s board meeting. These increases reflect expanded registration among national employees in both public and private sectors.
The authority reported combined expenditures on pensions, end-of-service benefits and compensation at AED 5.03 billion through August 2026, a 14.6 percent increase from the same period in 2025. Innovations presented at the seminar included the Ma’ashi digital platform, launched in October 2024, which processed 277,087 transactions in 2025 at a 95 percent on-time rate, GPSSA data indicates. The platform delivers 30 services designed to simplify procedures for insured individuals, pensioners and employers.
The Qatar News Agency reported that the Doha seminar addressed common regional challenges such as demographic shifts, changing work patterns and the push to widen social security coverage through technology and process redesign. Experts exchanged views on how digital tools can enhance compliance, service speed and user trust across institutions. GPSSA used the event to highlight its integration of additional worker groups, including part-time national employees, into the federal pension framework.
Under the GCC insurance protection extension system, GPSSA data places UAE-registered participants at 8,572, accounting for 43 percent of the 19,808 total across member states. The arrangement permits aggregation of contribution years from employment outside the home country, supporting eligibility for retirement, disability and survivor benefits. This component forms part of a unified approach to social security that authorities across the bloc have advanced in recent years.
Board records from October 2026 show GPSSA advancing projects in agentic artificial intelligence and reduced bureaucracy to align with national digital government goals. The authority has also partnered with bodies such as the Etihad Credit Bureau for improved data exchange that supports faster processing. These measures have contributed to the overall growth in both participation and service delivery volumes within the pension system.
