With several types of 10-year visas now available, an increasing number of expatriates are spending more of their working life in the UAE. The previous model of short-term assignments has been replaced by people making the Emirates their "forever home".
With the launch of retirement visas, it is now possible – and for many people, highly desirable – to spend your golden years in the UAE.
And it's not just existing workers who are choosing to retire here. The UAE is becoming a retirement destination in its own right: “Forget Florida. Retirees are settling down in Dubai,” read a headline in the Robb Report last year.
However, to get the most out of your golden years in the Emirates, which could involve specialised support services and health care for seniors, retirement health insurance is essential.
The UAE’s success in building a world-class array of medical services has enabled it to attract a high volume of skilled professionals and investors to live and work here, contributing to a vibrant society and economy, and that increasingly includes retirees.
However, encouraging retirees to stay in their latter years can be challenging, because healthcare access and affordability can change when you retire.
For many retirees, physical well-being is their highest priority. Accessing timely medical care, preventive screenings and essential treatments are often fundamental to a quality retirement.
Knowing that advanced health care is readily available and affordable, so that healthcare costs do not erode precious retirement nest-eggs, could make all the difference.
Research by the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention shows a significant proportion of expatriates lack comprehensive healthcare cover when they come off employer-sponsored plans and enter retirement.
The risk of being exposed to unplanned medical expenses can become a deciding factor in people moving when they retire, taking their investment capital and spending power with them.
Policymakers have recognised the healthcare coverage issues facing expatriates and are working towards solutions for equitable access to comprehensive insurance.
What's needed is a broader range of insurance products that cater to retirees to give them the confidence and assurance to continue their with lives in the Emirates.
Employers could support their employees' retirement by offering retirement healthcare benefits or access to retirement insurance plans.
By moving from a single-payment end-of-service gratuity to a more holistic employee benefit approach, employers can empower their staff to plan for a secure and fulfilling retirement.
Additionally, raising awareness among expatriates about the importance of retirement healthcare planning is paramount.
Through educational initiatives and outreach programmes, people can better understand the benefits of proper healthcare coverage and take steps to safeguard their future. Insurance companies could play a key role by rewarding and attracting early premium allocation for retirement.
Ensuring access to retirement healthcare insurance for UAE expats is not just a matter of financial prudence but a fundamental aspect of promoting health, security and dignity in later life.
By recognising the unique needs of expatriates and implementing policies and initiatives to address them, the UAE has an opportunity to create a future where everyone can retire with confidence, knowing that their health and well-being are protected.
Renee McGowan is chief executive of Marsh McLennan India, Middle East and Africa
List of alleged parties
May 12, 2020: PM and his wife Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at least 17 staff
May 20, 2020: They attend 'bring your own booze party'
Nov 27, 2020: PM gives speech at leaving party for his staff
Dec 10, 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson
Dec 13, 2020: PM and his wife throw a party
Dec 14, 2020: London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff event at Conservative Party headquarters
Dec 15, 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
Dec 18, 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
Roll of honour
Who has won what so far in the West Asia Premiership season?
Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Cup - Winners: Bahrain; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
West Asia Trophy - Winners: Dubai Hurricanes; Runners up: DSC Eagles
Final West Asia Premiership standings - 1. Jebel Ali Dragons; 2. Abu Dhabi Harlequins; 3. Bahrain; 4. Dubai Exiles; 5. Dubai Hurricanes; 6. DSC Eagles; 7. Abu Dhabi Saracens
Fixture (UAE Premiership final) - Friday, April 13, Al Ain – Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
The specs: Macan Turbo
Engine: Dual synchronous electric motors
Power: 639hp
Torque: 1,130Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Touring range: 591km
Price: From Dh412,500
On sale: Deliveries start in October
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
MANDOOB
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
