The Marsh CFA Institute Global Pension Index 2026 placed the UAE retirement income system at an overall score of 70, up from 64.9 in the previous year, resulting in an upgrade from C+ to B. Adequacy advanced to 84.9 from 79.4 while integrity increased to 80.8 from 75.5, with both sub-indices earning A grades according to the report. Sustainability improved modestly to 45.3 from 40.6 but remained classified as D, the index assessment found. The UAE was among four systems worldwide to post significant gains alongside Oman, Taiwan and Saudi Arabia, the Marsh CFA Institute data showed.
Higher minimum pension levels combined with clearer retirement guidance helped drive the UAE’s advances in adequacy and integrity, a Khaleej Times review of the index indicated. The report highlighted strengthened retirement benefits, regulatory frameworks and member protections as central to the progress. Emirates News Agency reported the improvements reflect ongoing enhancements to the pension framework in response to demographic shifts.
Saudi Arabia recorded the highest overall score among GCC peers at 73.2, followed by Kuwait at 72.9, the UAE at 70, Oman at 69.9 and Qatar at 66, according to the Marsh index figures. The UAE and Oman both moved up from C+ to B while Saudi Arabia and Kuwait retained their B ratings, the 2026 results showed. The index expanded this year to benchmark 55 systems covering 66 percent of the global population after incorporating the Dominican Republic, Kenya and Qatar for the first time.
The Netherlands led the global ranking with 85.8 points to retain its A grade, followed by Denmark at 84.1 and Iceland at 84.0, the Marsh CFA Institute Global Pension Index reported. Six systems achieved A grades overall, including Singapore, Israel and Australia which secured the top rating for the first time, pushing the worldwide average score up by 1.1 points to 65.6. Sustainability emerged as the weakest performing pillar across many jurisdictions amid rising life expectancies and falling birth rates, the report noted.
Now in its 18th edition and produced with the CFA Institute, the index weighs adequacy at 40 percent, sustainability at 35 percent and integrity at 25 percent when calculating the overall grade. For the UAE the strong adequacy outcome signals sufficient income replacement for retirees while the integrity result underscores high levels of governance and public confidence, according to the assessment. The feature chapter examines how aging populations are straining retirement systems globally and identifies policy options drawn from higher-ranked nations.
Israel achieved an A grade with 81.9 points in the Middle East and North Africa region, the index data placed. Kuwait topped the adequacy sub-index worldwide with the strongest benefit provision, the Marsh figures show. The UAE’s rise in the 2026 Global Pension Index aligns with broader regional reforms aimed at enhancing long-term retirement security.
