thailand
Ask question

Does Thailand have a social security system or old age pension for its citizens?

Social SecurityOld Age PensionThailandGovernment BenefitsExpat AdviceRetirement in Thailand
May 27, 2021
4 years ago
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Does Thailand have some form of social security / old age pension for its citizens?
6,096
views
23
likes
152
all likes
61
replies
0
images
33
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
Thailand does have a form of social security and old age pension system, although benefits can vary significantly between government workers and the general public. Government employees (like civil servants, military, and police) receive pensions, while regular workers can join the social security scheme, contributing a portion of their salary. For those who qualify, the government provides a small pension payment of around 600 baht/month for elderly citizens. Additionally, the social security system includes health insurance, which is considered a significant benefit over the monetary pension payments.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Brian ********
I think they get ฿500 a month
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Marc ********
yes
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Oliver ********
Yes they get about 10 quid per month.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Richard *********
I hear that its 500thb a month if you live long enough to get it.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Hugh **********
@Richard ********
 correct ,I think you have to live in your province where you were first registered as a child to get it
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Hugh **********
Reply
Terary **********
There children.

Its fairly common practice

Child finishes school goes to city to work

Child falls in love and with someone and make a baby

Baby goes back to parents (grand parents) while parents work.

Parents send back portion of paycheck.

Parents get old and go back to country. By this time child is old enough to repeat the cycle.

A lot of Thais work 80 hour weeks
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Maya *******
It depends

I know a guy a his mother was government worker a she get pension good pension

But regular people either pay for save pension

Or the poor people get about 15 usd a month. To all I know
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Johnny ******
@Maya ******
 govt offers get great pensions. My friend gets 30k a month.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Johnny ******
Actually, not all government workers. I work for the government but am not an officer.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Maya *******
@Johnny *****
 yes if you government worker

It's not same for all. But it's like that anywhere
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Maya *******
Reply
Gareth *******
No
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Dave *********
Yes it does..ive just received my state pension ..a monthly income..not a lot but every little helps..
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Kevin *******
civil servants do
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Kratos ******
Yes, they have children
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Karim ***************
500 baht a month 🤦‍♂️ that’s what my other half’s 70 year old parents get.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Richard ********
Speak to god maybe he can help. 🤪🇬🇧✌️
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Joe ***********
The Thai Social Fund handed out tens of millions in support payments to Thai workers since March 2020
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Johnny ******
I just retired aged 55. I got 170k for the money I paid into the SS fund. I could have chosen 3k a month for life. Although my salary was higher, there is a cap at 15k. So if you have earned 15k for 180 months, you get about 3000 baht a month for life. Recently, I got a Thai ID card, so can get 500 baht a month as old age pension.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Brian ************
@Johnny *****
 and you're happy to take that money out of the Thai economy? 🤔
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Johnny ******
What are you talking about? btw, I went to Aberdeen Uni, but was kicked out ;)
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Johnny ******
Reply
Alan **********
@Johnny *****
 when your 68
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Johnny ******
@Alan *********
 67
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Johnny ******
Reply
Richard ********
@Johnny *****
 a tenner a month. Omg. 🤪🇬🇧✌️
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Johnny ******
As a dual citizen, I will also get the UK one, around 30k a month :)
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Johnny ******
Reply
Andy **********
If you pay, yes.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Stephen ******
It has saved my ass so many times...infinitely better than social security in the US.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Richard *****
Yes
4 years ago
Like
Reply
JD ********
There are too many people commenting here on this subject that have no idea what they are talking about. Please stop giving out Bogus information
4 years ago
Like
Reply
JD ********
@Pascal *******
 I am sure you believe you make sense but first study English 2nd learn how to use Google to ask about the Thailand Social Security Department being part of the Ministry of Labor.. This will get you going in a correct direction
4 years ago
Like
Reply
JD ********
Has anyone tried Google or duckduckgo asking about info on Thailand social security department? Or is the Thailand Social Security Department a division of the Ministry of Labor?
4 years ago
Like
Reply
JD ********
@XI ***
****************************************************************************************************
4 years ago
Like
Reply
JD ********
@XI ***
 Google this:

How to contact the Thailand social security department
4 years ago
Like
Reply
JD ********
XI LI I just did.. For starters the nonsense doubters have been posting that there is no Social Security system in government...
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Pascal ********
@JD *******
 Just read slowly only the positive comments ;)
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Joe ***********
@Pascal *******
 You are not helpful
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Joe ***********
Reply
JD ********
Yes - there is a complete Social Security System... The funds are called the Social Fund. Payments are made each month by workers and employers.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Kool *******
The biggest social security benefit in Thailand is not the very small amount of money they get after 60 years old, but the health insurance, which covers most everything. My father-in-law was in the hospital for 38 days after back surgery, and because of social security medical insurance his total cost was bt8000.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Dieter ********
I know that people who worked for the government … like at the military or at the police … they‘ll get a pension.

But the normal workers will getting only a small pension (around 3000 BT) and poor people the handout from the government. They have to count on their families 🤔

… not easy.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Ron ******************
When you work for a company you can join social security. A portion of your contribution goes for medical cover and a portion for pension. After you leave the company you can continue with your contributions. It is also available to foreign employees.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Kevin *****
@Ron *****************
 only to the age of 60, over 60 you can't even offer to pay the full contributions yourself.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Ron ******************
@Kevin ****
 that is the retirement age but the advice I received is to continue untill they stop deductions.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Ron ******************
Reply
Daniel ************
yes
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Edward ******
Yes
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Frédéric ******************
Yes, 600 baht for every elder. Beside civil servants, police and military got their own. Others can pay monthly to the social welfare on a voluntary basis (I for one pay 60 baht per month).
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Steve ***********
Your wife doesn't know?
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Then maybe she'd be more useful commenting than you 🙄
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Steve ***********
Gregory Johnson or maybe stop being needy?
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Steve ***********
Reply
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Does yours??
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Steve ***********
Gregory Johnson yes. I assume you know what government entitlements and benefits you have in your home country?
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Steve ***********
Reply
Pascal ********
Yes they have if they want it is call social welfare, 5% from the employee and 5% from the employer of the salary. at 55 years old they can choose to take all the money they want or by monthly payment,
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Johnny ******
@Pascal *******
 foreigners too
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Pascal ********
@Johnny *****
 Yes foreigners could be Farang like or or Myanmar people etc... as long as each month they and the employer pay the SS
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Pascal ********
Reply
Pascal ********
@Charlie *********
 More than you think, ok coming from the bush I dont think they pay anything but if they work for a company they should have it.
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Okay, but that's more of an employer pension plan than a government-funded "social safety net," right?
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Pascal ********
@Gregory ********
 The 5% + 5% money goes to a government fund
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Pascal ********
@Gregory ********
 It is the Thai social welfare, foreigner can also have it, you are entitle to have free hospital, free vaccine which is great at the moment and when you reach 55 you get it all if you want, there is a social welfare website which when you enter your social security number you know how much money you have already
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Pascal ********
@Charlie *********
 Of course with workpermit etc... If you work under the table money foreigner can be in deep shit
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Pascal ********
Reply
Ryan *******************
I know thai teachers in schools do but must work many years and retire from a school at the age of 60 or something
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Johnny ******
@Ryan ******************
 65 now
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Greg *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
ok
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Greg *********
Reply
Bim *******
Not that I am aware of. I know the poor people in my village get a monthly government handout when they get to a certain age which I think is around 600 bht
4 years ago
Like
Reply
Reply to
Bim *******
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
What long-term visa options are available for a 48-year-old expat in Thailand with a pension under 65,000 THB?
22 comments
3 months ago
Can you relocate to Thailand on social security income alone with limited savings?
248 comments
3 months ago
What is Thailand's perspective on foreigners (farang) retiring and receiving care in the country?
19 comments
3 months ago
Can I live in Thailand on the Australian Aged Pension, and what are the living costs like?
243 comments
3 months ago
Will my US pension and Social Security be taxable in Thailand when I retire?
38 comments
6 months ago
Do I need to transfer my Social Security benefits to a Thai bank for my retirement visa?
25 comments
7 months ago
Do retirees from the US pay taxes on their income in Thailand?
28 comments
7 months ago
Can an American retiree in Thailand have Social Security deposited directly into a Bangkok bank account?
28 comments
7 months ago
How does the US-Thailand Tax Treaty affect taxation of social security income for expats living in Thailand?
18 comments
9 months ago
Will my pension income be taxed in Thailand if I retire and have it paid into a Thai bank account?
80 comments
10 months ago
What are the requirements to retire in Thailand?
127 comments
10 months ago
Can US citizens use Social Security benefits as proof of income for a Non-O visa in Thailand?
5 comments
a year ago
Will pensioners be taxed and eligible for free national healthcare in Thailand?
6 comments
a year ago
Can I retire in Thailand with a Canadian military pension and receive OAS/CPP benefits?
0 comments
a year ago
Can my friend apply for a NON-O visa in Thailand if she receives an early pension due to injury?
21 comments
a year ago
Can I use my savings and Social Security income to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand?
70 comments
a year ago
Can I use my monthly Social Security and savings to meet the financial requirements for a Thailand retirement visa?
12 comments
a year ago
What are the visa options for Americans living in Thailand on Social Security?
9 comments
2 years ago
Does having Canadian pension income qualify for the income threshold for a Retirement Extension in Thailand?
9 comments
2 years ago
How does the UK state pension work for Brits living in Thailand?
37 comments
2 years ago
Do I need 800,000 baht in a bank account or a steady pension to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand?
38 comments
2 years ago
What types of monthly income qualify for a retirement visa in Thailand?
8 comments
2 years ago
How can I meet the Thai retirement visa requirement of a 65,000 THB monthly pension deposit?
116 comments
3 years ago
Can an American use a Social Security annual report to qualify for a retirement visa in Thailand?
8 comments
3 years ago
Do I need to cash my pension to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand?
6 comments
4 years ago
Data protection policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimerPrivacy policyRefund policy
The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.