National Bonds: Retirement planning remains top financial goal
DUBAI: National Bonds, the UAE's leading Sharia-compliant savings and investment company, has released the results of its annual survey aimed at highlighting savers' financial aspirations, revealing that retirement planning remains the top financial priority for the second consecutive year.
Increasing savings and setting aside funds for high-value purchases such as a home or a car also ranked high among respondents, highlighting the growing awareness of the importance of early financial planning and disciplined smart saving strategies.
According to the survey, 40% of respondents reported being on track to meeting their 2024 financial goals, while 45% stated they had partially achieved their targets. Confidence levels regarding financial plans for 2025 varied, with 36% expressing complete confidence in reaching their financial aspirations. Meanwhile, younger generations are demonstrating increasing financial awareness, with 40% of Generation Z and 36% of Millennials expressing confidence in reaching their financial goals, compared to 32% of Generation X.
Findings also show that 42% of males reported being on track to achieving their financial goals compared to 33% of females, women showed a stronger inclination to seek professional financial advice, with 78% open to financial guidance or use financial planning tools compared to 76% of men. Despite this both groups prioritized increasing their savings and planning for retirement as key financial goals.
Furthermore, 94% of Emiratis were more inclined to consult financial advisors or use financial planning tools compared to 77% of expatriates. The survey also sheds light on the key challenges that individuals face in achieving their financial goals, with the rising cost of living and unexpected expenses cited as the primary obstacles.
Rehab Lootah, Group Deputy CEO of National Bonds, emphasised, 'The results of this year's survey reflect a growing commitment among individuals to achieving financial stability, particularly in retirement planning. This aligns with National Bonds' mission to empower the community by offering innovative financial solutions that help customers turn their aspirations into reality, such as 'Second Salary' savings plan designed to help UAE nationals and expatriates build a supplementary retirement income, while 'My One Million' enable individuals to accelerate their journey toward AED 1 million in savings and cumulative profits.'
She added, 'At National Bonds, we remain dedicated to fostering a strong savings culture in the UAE by providing tailored solutions that support individuals at every stage of their financial journey. In line with survey findings, we are excited to soon launch a free financial advisory service, ensuring expert guidance is accessible to anyone seeking to strengthen their financial future.'
National Bonds continues to reward savers through its exclusive rewards programme, featuring an annual prize pool of AED36 million. The programme includes quarterly draws totalling AED8 million awarded to eight lucky UAE national and resident savers, 16 luxury cars, and a range of other exciting incentives designed to encourage consistent saving and financial discipline.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Web Release
13 hours ago
- Web Release
ECI highlights role of skilled professionals in driving national export growth, economic diversification and sustainability
Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), the UAE Federal export credit company, underscored the importance of attracting top talent and skilled professionals to catalyse the growth of the national export sector, in support of fostering a highly diverse and sustainable economy. The organisation also highlighted the role of skilled and experienced individuals within the UAE's human resources ecosystem in nurturing creativity, while expanding the growth opportunities in export, re-export, and foreign non-oil trade sectors. Her Excellency Raja Al Mazrouei, CEO at ECI, said, 'The UAE is committed to implementing forward-thinking policies that prioritise human creativity and investment in human resources. In line with this vision, our wise leadership regularly invests in education and training initiatives to empower Emirati talents and offer various avenues for youth to develop their skills and knowledge. Moreover, the country has opened its doors to welcome foreign talents and create a competitive business environment equipped with a diverse range of expertise. At ECI, we strive to advance the goals of the UAE's ambitious national vision, which aims to nurture a diverse, sustainable and innovation-driven economy. In addition, we remain steadfast in our efforts to attract top Emirati talents and integrate outstanding professionals into our workforce to enhance the efficiency of our operations, solutions and support resources.' H.E Al Mazrouei added: 'The integration of experts from diverse domains into ECI's workforce, reflects our ability to attract and retain top national talents. We are fully confident that their expertise and skills will help us achieve ECI's strategic goals, consolidating our position as a leading player in the export insurance sector. Through these concerted efforts, we further reiterate our commitment to strengthening the UAE's workforce, in line with the nation's long-standing vision to build a dynamic and sustainable economy.' As part of its broader efforts to nurture national talent, ECI recently welcomed three distinguished Emirati professionals to its managerial team. Mohammed Jamal Tahlak was appointed as the Director of Corporate Support, Mohammad Sulaiman as the Head of GRC (Governance, Risk & Compliance), and Hamad Al Omran as the Head of Strategy & PMO. These important appointments reflect ECI's long-term Emiratisation strategy aimed at cultivating a robust workforce base encompassing specialised national talent, wherein Emiratis occupy approximately 71 per cent of all senior managerial positions.
Sharjah 24
4 days ago
- Sharjah 24
Khaled bin Mohamed approves AED4.62 billion housing package
More than 3,000 Emiratis to receive housing support A total of 3,052 Emirati citizens across Abu Dhabi will benefit from the latest package. The support includes AED4.4 billion in housing loans for 2,862 individuals. Additionally, AED212 million has been allocated to exempt 190 citizens—comprising limited-income retirees and beneficiaries of deceased citizens—from loan repayments. Housing package timed for Eid Al Adha and UAE Year of Community This second housing package of 2025 has been strategically issued ahead of Eid Al Adha. It reflects the leadership's commitment to strengthening family wellbeing, improving quality of life, and aligning with the UAE Year of Community. The initiative aims to deepen social cohesion and reinforce community bonds. Total housing support for 2025 reaches AED11.38 billion With the approval of this package, the total value of housing benefits provided to citizens in Abu Dhabi during 2025 has reached AED11.38 billion. This continued investment underscores the government's long-term vision of sustainable development and citizen empowerment. Abu Dhabi Housing Authority leaders commend initiative Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority, highlighted the leadership's enduring support for citizens through quality housing initiatives. He stated that the package is a powerful example of the government's efforts to enhance family stability and social wellbeing. Hamad Hareb Al Muhairi, Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority, added that the package reflects the forward-looking vision of the leadership. He emphasized that it aims to provide sustainable housing solutions that fulfill the needs and aspirations of Emirati families while securing their long-term prosperity. Broader support measures also recently approved This housing initiative follows the recent approval of an additional community support subsidy of AED250,000 for existing beneficiaries of housing loans. The support includes significant reductions in monthly loan instalments—up to 50 percent—and access to various other supportive services and facilities aimed at improving living standards for citizens.
The National
5 days ago
- The National
Sheikh Khaled approves Dh4.62bn housing package for Abu Dhabi citizens
Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, on Thursday approved Dh4.62 billion in housing support for Emiratis in the capital. The benefits package – the second to be delivered this year – will be shared between 3,052 citizens and comes on the eve of the nation's Eid Al Adha celebrations. The assistance is largely made up of housing loans valued at Dh4.4 billion, which will be provided to 2,862 people. Exemptions from housing loan repayments worth Dh212 million were also agreed on behalf of 190 citizens, limited-income retirees and beneficiaries of deceased citizens. Sheikh Khaled previously approved a housing benefits package worth Dh6.75 billion for Emiratis before Eid Al Fitr this year. 'The new housing benefits package reflects the leadership's commitment to empowering citizens through the provision of quality housing that promotes family stability and elevates quality of life," said Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, chairman of the board of directors of Abu Dhabi Housing Authority. The housing aid was delivered under the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed, in his capacity as Ruler of Abu Dhabi. The support follows the recent endorsement of an additional community support subsidy of Dh250,000 for existing beneficiaries of housing loans, including a reduction of up to 50 per cent in monthly loan repayments, and a wide range of other services and facilities.
