^{Building Wealth} Plan today to retire comfortably

Secure your future with a well-planned retirement

It’s never too early to start planning for your retirement. The sooner you begin, the more financial flexibility you will have to build a secure and comfortable future. A well-structured retirement plan allows you to enjoy the lifestyle you aspire to—whether that means travelling the world, pursuing your passions, acquiring new skills, giving back to your community, or leaving a lasting legacy.

For expatriates, long-term retirement planning is even more critical. Depending on your nationality, you may not qualify for a full state pension in your home country unless you have continued tax contributions while living and working abroad. Taking proactive steps today can help ensure financial independence in the years ahead.

Are you financially prepared for retirement?

Many UAE residents may not be as prepared for retirement as they should be. A recent survey conducted by Friends Provident International revealed that:

• 45% of respondents have yet to start saving for retirement.
• 63% of participants aim to retire by the age of 60.
• Only one in four plan to start saving more than 15 years before retirement.
• More than one in three will begin saving less than 10 years before their target retirement date.

With such short timeframes, building sufficient wealth for a financially secure retirement can be challenging. As life expectancy increases due to healthier lifestyles and advancements in medical care, planning ahead is more important than ever. The earlier you start, the greater your ability to achieve financial independence and peace of mind in retirement.

Why plan ahead?

With longer life spans, retirement is now an opportunity to enjoy decades of financial freedom, pursue passions, and explore new experiences. However, making the most of these golden years requires careful planning today to secure a stable future.

A 2020 survey by Mercer found that:

• 61% of expatriate workers in the UAE have no long-term savings.
• 43% rely solely on end-of-service benefits to fund their retirement, even though these typically provide just two years’ basic salary—based on 25 years at a single company.

This amount falls significantly short of what is needed for a financially comfortable retirement. By planning ahead and building a structured savings strategy, you can take control of your financial future and enjoy peace of mind in your retirement years.