GPSSA calls for swift processing of pension files
March 27, 2005
A Ministerial Circular calling for timely provision of the pension files of beneficiaries, to the General Pensions and Social Security Authority (GPSSA), has recently been issued by Dr. Mohamed Khalfan bin Khirbash, the Minister of State for Finance and Industry (MoFI).
The Circular 1/2005 distributed to all concerned parties in the GPSSA, across both the public and private sectors, stressed the importance of abiding to the Pensions and Social Security law no. 7/1999.
The Circular was issued to avoid delays in sending files relevant to those beneficiaries whose employment has ended, and those employees whose employment was terminated for medical reasons, pending a final official decision by the Higher Medical Committee.
The GPSSA law 7/1999 stipulates employers must not terminate an employee for medical reasons, unless a decision is made to this effect by the Higher Medical Committee set up under the law of the Ministry of Health no. 262/2000.
“Public and private institutions should abide by this circular as the delay in sending files of the pension beneficiaries to the GPSSA results in a delay in enabling fulfillment of the benefits and rights of beneficiaries. This in turn adversely affects the beneficiaries on account of a lack of income during retirement. Also, unless we receive the end-of-employment files, the GPSSA electronic system will not be able to register beneficiaries in case they find employment elsewhere,” said Sultan Al Ghaith, GPSSA General Manager.
Al Ghaith noted that the circular was sent to all Undersecretaries in the Federal government, Heads of Federal and Local authorities and, Managing Directors of private sector organizations.
Al Ghaith stressed that most GPSSA beneficiaries rely on their retirement benefits and the delay in sending their files to the Authority will complicate their financial situation, post-employment. He also expressed the hope that the circular will be taken seriously by all concerned parties thereby enabling speedy processing of files at GPSSA.