The company Smart Pension Limited (“Smart Pension” or “Company”) is perhaps not a household name here in the GCC, however, it does play a very important role behind the scene. Smart Pension is the IT administration system that powers DEWS, the End-of-Service Benefits (“EOSB”) savings scheme in Dubai International Financial Center (“DIFC”). This scheme currently […]
The new alternative End-of-Service Benefits (EOSB) savings scheme is a significant shift from the current system of simply accumulating the EOSB liability until employees separate from the company – by way of resignation, termination, or death. Apart from the accumulated EOSB provision, the cost to the company will now be a known percentage of payroll, […]
Many companies have been enquiring about the new alternative End-of-Service Benefits (EOSB) Savings scheme that was announced last year. Given that enrolment is entirely optional at present, companies are weighing the pros and cons of transitioning to the new scheme. We discussed in a previous article some key considerations for HR managers on transitioning to […]
In our previous articles we featured some startups that have appeared on the scene, including FinFlx, Aurem and Equevu. All of them offer some sort of investment product, linked to End-of-Service Benefits that is managed through an ‘in-house’ technology solution. Now it turns out that one more new provider has emerged – namely “Benefitster” (full […]
It is now nearing a year since the introduction of the new alternative End-of-Service Savings (EoSS) scheme by MOHRE and SCA. So far, there are only two approved providers for the scheme and even so, as of date (August 2024), there are no active products in the market. Reason: The two approved providers are pure […]
The new End-of-Service Savings (EoSS) scheme or the corporate pensions industry in the UAE as we like to call it, is slowly taking shape. As announced previously, the first providers have received their licenses from SCA (Securities and Commodities Authority) and MoHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation). Daman Investments, Lunate, and Hayah Insurance are certain […]
There is a growing buzz around the new End-of-Service Savings (EoSS) scheme, which was introduced last November by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA). To recap: The current “End-of-Service Gratuity Benefit” system is being revamped. Instead of a lumpsum cash payment at the end of employment, […]
“Guaranteed return of 4-5% on a free-of-cost savings account in the UAE where you do not have to maintain any minimum balance and the full amount can be withdrawn at any time with no hidden charges whatsoever.” Sounds too good to be true and interestingly, it’s not provided by a bank. This flexible savings account […]
One key feature of the new End-of-Service Savings scheme (aka, Cabinet Resolution 96) is that each provider must offer a “capital guarantee” option. Everyone likes a no-risk investment opportunity of course – but let’s examine a bit more closely what these funds are, how they work, the alternatives and their drawbacks. Government debt-based funds The […]
People buy life insurance mainly for two reasons: Protection in the case of death or disability (obviously) and for investment purposes. Hence the life insurance industry has designed products (policies) in response to these needs. Some policies provide protection only (e.g., term insurance) and at the other end of the spectrum there are pure investment […]