The Director General of the Abu Dhabi Pension Fund, Khalaf Abdullah Rahma Al-Hamadi, has announced that the early investment in digital systems has significantly contributed to improved compliance among employers with pension laws, ensuring the sustainability of the pension system and safeguarding the rights of citizens and their families.

He highlighted that the direct debit system, implemented in recent years as part of the digital transformation efforts, has successfully raised the pension contribution collection rate to 99.93%.

Currently, the direct debit service benefits over 6,000 employers, enabling them to automatically deduct contributions from their bank accounts at the beginning of each month.

This has facilitated timely payment of contributions, preventing accumulation of additional charges due to delays, and enhancing compliance with pension law requirements in Abu Dhabi.

Al-Hamadi further pointed out that the direct debit service is also applied to the payment of costs associated with the inclusion of previous service periods, benefiting approximately 5,000 insured individuals.

The Director General indicated that this project has redesigned the traditional payment methods commonly used in most pension funds globally, creating a clear and comprehensive process for both employers and insured individuals.

Payments now occur automatically in accordance with standards that ensure the security of personal data through the use of Digital Identity (UAEPASS).

This also supports the fund’s objectives of enhancing transparency and ensuring the pension rights of citizens.

The management of pension contributions is considered one of the essential tasks of the fund, with its success and efficiency being directly linked to ensuring stable income for citizens post-retirement, thereby achieving financial security for them and their families in the long term.

In alignment with its digital strategies, the fund has developed advanced digital systems to manage contributions effectively and ease the payment process for employers.

Among the significant systems created by the fund, in addition to the direct debit service, is the 'Smart Contributions System,' which provides a comprehensive database for employers and enables the generation of preliminary invoices for monthly contributions without requiring frequent data updates from the employers or additional effort.

This system offers employers a shared, integrated data platform with the fund, ensuring data accuracy and supporting decision-making processes.

Al-Hamadi pointed to the importance of the solutions developed by the fund’s team to facilitate the payment of contributions, which have increased partner confidence in the system's quality.

These solutions have addressed challenges previously faced, overcoming bureaucratic hurdles and administrative burdens on employees, allowing them to focus on other strategic tasks that enhance institutional performance.

He emphasized the importance of integrated efforts between governmental and private sectors in facilitating procedures for citizens and providing an exceptional customer experience, commending the roles of the Central Bank of the UAE and First Abu Dhabi Bank for their collaboration with the fund in simplifying the implementation of the direct debit service.

Al-Hamadi affirmed the fund's commitment to continue investing in technology and ongoing development in line with the Abu Dhabi government's objectives to enhance government services and improve customer experiences, thereby reinforcing Abu Dhabi's reputation as a leader in pension service provision.