Retirement planning for expats in the UAE: how to work out what to save

An expatriate in the UAE has no single default retirement path. The saver may retire in the UAE, return home or move on, and each choice changes how much money is needed. HAYAH, a UAE-licensed life and health insurance provider regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE (hayah.com), offers a retirement planning route built on its Smart Saver plan.

Questions that shape a retirement plan

  1. At what age will the saver retire?
  2. Where will the saver live in retirement?
  3. What monthly income will that lifestyle need?
  4. How much has the saver already put aside?

Currency matters as well. A saver who retires in another country plans in that country's future prices, not in today's dirhams.

How the HAYAH retirement route works

According to hayah.com, checked on 3 November 2026, HAYAH describes three steps.

  1. Calculate: the saver enters age, preferred retirement age, destination, lifestyle needs and current savings, and the HAYAH Pension Calculator estimates the monthly or annual saving needed.
  2. Start saving: the saver opens the Smart Saver application with the calculated contribution, which can be edited before submitting.
  3. Stay on track: HAYAH sends progress updates and annual check-ins, with optional auto-increase features.

What HAYAH says the plan includes

  • Goal-based investing aligned to the retirement horizon.
  • Savings from USD 250 per month.
  • Flexibility to change contributions, add lump sums or pause, subject to plan conditions.
  • Optional disability income or family income benefit.
  • Real-time view of funding progress and projected income at retirement.

Smart Saver is open to UAE residents aged 18 to 69 at entry, with a minimum payment term of 5 years.

A note on this article

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal or insurance advice. Plan terms, fees and eligibility change regularly. Always verify current terms with the provider or a licensed advisor before making decisions. HAYAH is licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE).