UAE to offer health insurance, benefits to senior citizens

The UAE Cabinet has approved a new national policy designed to support senior citizens.

The plans include a health insurance scheme and centres to provide elderly Emiratis with modern skills, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said.

Other aspects of the policy include discount programmes, sporting events, specialised housing and initiatives to protect senior citizens from abuse and violence.

While the government will also seek to benefit from the experience of retirees in the labour market.

Abu Dhabi’s Retirement Pensions and Benefits Fund said in June that retirement would be no longer compulsory for citizens in the government, semi-government and private sectors who have completed 25 years of work.

Read: Retirement no longer compulsory for Emiratis after 25 years of service

Last month, the UAE also announced a visa scheme allowing retired foreign nationals to reside in the country for up to five years.

Read: UAE VP announces visa for retired expats, reduced power charges for industry

In order to apply, the retiree must either own a real estate investment worth Dhs2m ($544,510), have financial savings of more than Dhs1m ($272,255) or proof of income of more than Dhs20,000 ($5,445) a month.