Cabinet Approves Social Security Bill Extending Coverage Age to 65
The Thai Cabinet has approved a draft amendment to the Social Security Act that raises the maximum insured age from 60 to 65 and expands benefits including higher disability compensation, extended child welfare, and improved maternity leave. The changes aim to support an aging workforce and provide more flexible pension options for contributors. The bill will now proceed to Parliament for further consideration.
At 11:40 a.m. on November 3, 2026, Ms. Patdarat Thongsaluangkar, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, announced the results of a mobile Cabinet meeting. The Cabinet approved the draft Social Security Act (No. ...) B.E. ... as proposed by the Ministry of Labour to update the law for current conditions, support an aging society, and enhance comprehensive protection for insured persons. Key points of the draft include:
- Extending the maximum insured age under Section 33 from 60 to 65 to accommodate older workers. - Extending child welfare benefits for six months after leaving employment, and raising maternity leave benefits to align with the Labour Protection Act. - Increasing income compensation for non-work-related disability from 50% to no more than 70% of wages.
Additionally, insured persons who have contributed for 180 months may choose to receive an old-age pension or a lump sum at age 55 or when their insured status ends. Those with at least 60 months of contributions can request a partial old-age benefit before age 55 in cases of severe hardship affecting their livelihood, or use up to 30% of that benefit (capped at twice the maximum wage base) as collateral for loans from financial institutions partnered with the Social Security Office.
The draft also allows old-age pension recipients who leave employment but want continued coverage, such as medical benefits, to re-enroll as insured persons with the government contributing one share and the insured person two shares, covering sickness, disability, and death.
Penalties for employers who fail to comply, such as late submission of reports, would shift from criminal penalties to administrative fines under the Administrative Penalty Act B.E. 2565 (2022) for fairness.
The Cabinet acknowledged 18 subordinate regulations that must be completed within 60 days after the law takes effect. The next step is to submit the draft to the House Coordination Committee for consideration before proposing it to the House of Representatives.
