The General Authority for Pensions and Social Security has released a series of guidelines as part of its continuous commitment to preserving the rights of insured persons. These guidelines, which are based on three main concepts, are put in place to make sure that getting insurance benefits is easy at the beginning and end of our time here.
Guidelines by the General Authority for Pensions and Social Security
The General Authority for Pensions and Social Security has issued directives aimed at ensuring the protection of rights for insured individuals, both at the commencement and conclusion of their service tenure.
These directives encompass three fundamental aspects: verifying the insured's registration, confirming the payment of contributions upon commencement of service, and facilitating the disbursement of insurance benefits accrued during the period of employment, whether in the form of retirement pensions, end-of-service rewards, or additional compensations.
Payment of Contributions
Primarily, the Authority emphasizes the pivotal role of enrollment in insurance as the initial step towards accessing insurance benefits. While the responsibility for registering the insured lies with the employer, individuals are urged to proactively safeguard their entitlements by verifying their registration within 30 days of employment commencement. In cases where registration by the employer is not executed, it is incumbent upon the insured to promptly liaise with the authority to uphold their rights.
Eligibility for participation necessitates adherence to certain criteria: individuals must fall within the age bracket of 18 to 60 years, demonstrate medical fitness as per an appointment medical report, and possess citizenship of the United Arab Emirates, inclusive of those who acquire citizenship subsequently. These provisions are pertinent to the registration and subscription processes.
The ambit of the authority's jurisdiction encompasses all employees within federal or local government entities as well as those in the private sector nationwide, barring certain exceptions. Notably, individuals employed within local government agencies in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, along with private sector employees in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, are excluded from the Authority's purview.
Secondly, insured individuals must ensure the timely payment of their due contributions upon registration. Adherence to stipulated contribution percentages without incurring additional charges, along with prompt payment based on actual wages, is imperative. Such diligence precludes disruptions in the event of default or tardiness on the part of the employer in remitting contributions, thereby averting delays in finalizing end-of-service procedures.
Thirdly, it is underscored that the General Authority for Pensions and Social Security serves as the designated entity responsible for disbursing insurance entitlements, superseding the role of the employer in this capacity. This underscores the Authority's role as the custodian of employee insurance, with contributions deducted from salaries to facilitate the fulfillment of entitlements upon service conclusion, encompassing pensions, end-of-service gratuities, and supplementary compensations.
The significance of registration and contribution payments extends beyond mere entitlement to insurance benefits, particularly for citizens employed in the private sector seeking to avail themselves of the "Nafis" program. Registration with the Authority and consistent contribution payments are prerequisites for program participation, with the Authority monitoring compliance through electronic links with "Nafis." This mechanism serves to gauge employer adherence to employee registration and contribution obligations on a monthly basis, ensuring transparency and accountability in the process.
