Medical Retirement Awareness Campaign Initiated by GPSSA in May
The General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA) in the UAE has launched a month-long campaign in May to educate Emiratis on the rules and benefits surrounding medical retirement, or unfitness to work. This education initiative is part of GPSSA's ongoing "Topic of the Month" series designed to clarify key aspects of the federal pension system.
The campaign addresses an increasing number of public inquiries over medical retirement on social media. It focuses on the eligibility criteria, appropriate medical conditions, and the procedures involved in applying for medical retirement via the GPSSA's Ma'ashi platform under the "Work Fitness Assessment" service.
Medical retirement applies to those unable to work due to serious health conditions or injuries suffered either at work or en route to their workplace. With confirmation from a competent medical committee, such cases fall under Federal Law No. 7 of 1999 on Pension and Social Security and its amendments.
Dr. Maysa Rashed Ghadeer, Head of the Government Communication Office at the GPSSA, stressed the importance of public awareness in making informed career and retirement decisions.
Under this initiative, over 154,000 insured individuals, 21,000 pensioners, and nearly 20,000 employers under the federal pension system will be targeted. The GPSSA aims to ensure that citizens are well-informed about their entitlements, particularly when facing unexpected medical challenges that could affect their employability.
By obtaining medical retirement approval, eligible individuals can retire before the standard age and receive financial support, providing protection and dignity for those who are unable to continue their employment due to health-related issues.
For eligibility, an individual must be unable to work due to health issues or injury, must be covered by the GPSSA law, and must secure official approval by a competent medical committee. Qualifying medical conditions include total, permanent disabilities or severe medical unfitness preventing any profession.
A certified medical report from a UAE government hospital is required. A medical examination during employment may also be necessary for comparison or supportive evidence. The employer or individual submits a work fitness assessment to the GPSSA, which reviews the request and submits it to the medical committee for assessment and decision. The process is facilitated through the GPSSA’s Ma’ashi platform where applicants can submit necessary documents for medical retirement requests.
- The campaign led by the General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA) emphasizes the importance of understanding the procedures for medical retirement, which applies to individuals with serious health conditions or injuries that prevent them from working, within the context of workplace-wellness and health-and-wellness.
- To qualify for medical retirement, one must meet certain eligibility criteria, including being covered by the GPSSA law and obtaining official approval from a competent medical committee for their medical conditions, such as total, permanent disabilities or severe medical unfitness that render them unable to work in any profession.
- The GPSSA's Month-long campaign aims to educate citizens on how to apply for medical retirement via their Ma'ashi platform, under the "Work Fitness Assessment" service, which involves submission of a certified medical report and a potential medical examination. This information is crucial for those facing health-related issues that may impact their employability and their entitlement to financial support upon approval of medical retirement.
