GPSSA (General Pension & Social Security Authority)

The GPSSA is the federal authority that runs the pension and social security system for UAE nationals — and nationals of other GCC states — working in the Emirates, outside the separate Abu Dhabi and Sharjah pension funds. Employers must register eligible Emirati employees and pay monthly contributions, with a share deducted from the employee's salary; the scheme then provides retirement pensions, end-of-service benefits and survivor benefits. Expatriate employees are generally outside GPSSA and receive gratuity instead. Companies meet the GPSSA through Emiratisation: hiring a UAE national triggers registration deadlines and contribution obligations, and late registration attracts penalties. Employment lawyers and HR teams deal with GPSSA when structuring Emirati employment contracts, calculating contribution arrears, and untangling whether pension or gratuity rules apply to a particular employee.