Sharjah Fund Offers Easy Payment Plan for Service Merger

Photo: WAM

The Sharjah Social Security Fund (SSSF) has shared new details to help people understand how they can combine their past job experiences or buy extra service years to boost their retirement benefits. This is part of the fund’s efforts to raise awareness and provide flexible support for individuals who are planning for a stable and secure retirement.

The main idea is to let insured individuals—those who are paying into the fund—use their work experience from previous jobs or even buy "notional service periods." These notional periods are treated as if the person had worked during that time, even if they didn’t actually work. This way, more years get added to their total service period, which helps them receive better retirement benefits in the future.

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The fund explained that merging previous work periods or buying notional periods comes with a cost. These costs are calculated based on the person's salary at the time of joining the fund. Usually, these costs are paid all at once. But to make it easier, the fund is now allowing people to pay in smaller amounts over time.

To use the installment plan, insured individuals need to first pay 25% of the total cost. The remaining 75% can be paid through monthly installments. However, there are some rules: the monthly amount should not be less than one-fourth of the person’s salary, and the total payment period cannot be more than 60 months (five years). Also, all the payments must be finished before the person leaves their job or retires, and they must still be under the legal retirement age while making the payments. These rules are there to make sure the added service time is fully counted toward retirement benefits.

This new service is designed to help insured individuals stay financially strong and stable after retirement. The Sharjah Social Security Fund has already introduced many programs to teach people how to plan for retirement and how early service consolidation can increase their insurance benefits.

Mohammed Obaid Rashid Al Shamsi, the Director-General of the fund, said, “We want to make the process easy for everyone. When people understand their options and have flexible payment choices, they can make better decisions about their money and future.”

He also added, “These steps are very important. They help protect people’s rights, allow them to increase their working years officially counted for retirement, and help them live a more comfortable life after they retire.”

Al Shamsi encouraged everyone who qualifies to take action early and start the process of merging their past job periods. By doing so, they can enjoy all the benefits that the law allows.

This initiative shows Sharjah’s commitment to supporting workers and helping them prepare for a better future after retirement.