Articles

Abu Dhabi, 12 August 2025: To ensure financial and social stability during retirement, individuals should start planning early by assessing their current financial situation, identify retirement goals and create a plan to accumulate sufficient savings, emphasized the General Pension and Social Security Authority (GPSSA).

To ensure a decent and stable lifestyle by the end of one’s career, proactive financial planning steps need to be taken, including early arrangements, sustainable income and investing personal savings effectively.

As part of a virtual masterclass entitled “Life After Retirement” within “Wafra” on “Jahez” the GPSSA launched a course on pension and insurance benefits on the Jahiz platform and on its website. The Jahiz platform represents the future of government talent, the largest and most comprehensive national initiatives for future skills in the United Arab Emirates. Launched in late 2022, it is one of the pivotal transformational initiatives for the Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR).

The concept of retirement

Retirement is a personalized journey where individuals actively plan and prepare for a fulfilling life after their working years with the aim of achieving financial security, improved well-being and personal growth throughout this new phase of life. 

Retirement should not be solely associated with old age and declining productivity. It's crucial to challenge this stereotype by recognizing the diverse capabilities and contributions of retirees, promoting flexible work arrangements and fostering a culture that values experience and continuous learning. 

Budget planning

The course addresses the key factors required to plan for a retirement, including ensuring

a stable and guaranteed income stream to cover expenses during retirement, providing a special budget in preparation for emergencies, and building a financial protection system to deal with unexpected events. These matters require building a comprehensive financial plan for retirement using a gradual, systematic approach, the earlier you start planning for retirement, the better your financial situation will be once retired.

Budget planning is achieved by focusing on two main stages: early adulthood, which is an important period for laying the foundations for retirement, and midlife, which is usually the period in which strategy can be adjusted and accelerated, as decisions made in the 20’s and early 30’s can greatly affect financial security during retirement.

Budgeting is essential for making your retirement income grow and work effectively. Basic budgeting techniques include categorizing expenses, tracking spending, and prioritizing needs.

Investment portfolio strategies

There are three common investment strategies. The first is the conservative investment portfolio, which takes a balanced approach and prioritizes low-risk investments. The primary goal is to preserve capital and reduce risk. It is suitable for individuals’ approaching retirement or with a lower tolerance for market volatility.

The second type is the balanced approach of assets across stocks, bonds, and alternative investments. It aims to achieve a balance between growth and risk, making it suitable for

investors with a moderate risk tolerance and longer investment horizons. It provides the potential for higher growth in the long term, as well as flexibility and appropriate liquidity.

The third type of investment strategy prioritizes maximizing long-term capital appreciation by increasing equity exposure. It's best suited for investors with a high-risk tolerance, a long-term investment horizon, and a willingness to endure greater market fluctuations in exchange for the potential for higher returns.