Thailand’s 2026 Social Security Reforms: What You Must Know About the Thai Social Security System

Thailand Social Security from 2569 B.E. (2026 A.D.): Key Matters Employers and Employees Must Understand

Social security is a fundamental protection system for the Thai workforce, covering a wide range of benefits including medical care, unemployment protection, and retirement pensions. In the coming years, the government will implement adjustments to the social security contribution structure, gradually increasing the salary base used for contribution calculations in order to address rising living costs and the challenges of an aging society.

These adjustments will have a direct impact on both employers and employees.

1.Summary Table of Social Security Contribution Adjustments

• For employees whose monthly salary exceeds the maximum salary base used for contribution calculations:
  Social security contributions will be increased in accordance with the adjusted contribution amounts for each implementation phase.

• For employees whose monthly salary is below the maximum salary base:
  Contributions will continue to be calculated at 5% of the actual salary, and will not be directly affected by the adjustment.

2. What Benefits Can Be Expected After the Increase in Contributions

1️⃣ Higher Retirement Pensions in the Future

Pension benefits are calculated based on:

• The salary base used for social security contributions

• The total contribution period

As the salary base increases, employees may become eligible for higher pension benefits in the future, helping to enhance financial security after retirement.

2️⃣ Stronger Fund Stability to Address an Aging Society

Higher contributions help to:

• Ensure the long-term sustainability of the social security fund

• Support the growing number of pension recipients

• Reduce future financial risks within the social security system

This adjustment is a key measure in preparing for Thailand’s aging population.

3️⃣ Coping with Rising Medical Costs

Increased contributions enable the system to:

• Maintain the quality of medical services

• Support expanding public healthcare expenditures

• Continuously improve and upgrade medical benefit coverage

This helps ensure that healthcare protections remain effective and sustainable over time.

4️⃣ Potential Expansion of Other Social Security Benefits

There is also room for further development in areas such as:

• Sickness and disability compensation

• Unemployment benefits

• Potential new benefits in the future, subject to government policy

3. Summary

Starting from 2569 B.E. (2026 A.D.), Thailand’s social security adjustments focus on increasing the salary base used for contribution calculations, rather than directly raising the contribution rate.

While this change may lead to higher short-term costs for both employers and employees, it represents a long-term investment in retirement pensions, healthcare coverage, and the overall stability of the social security fund—ultimately benefiting the Thai workforce as a whole.

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