Mercer Releases Thailand's First 'Mercer RISE Survey 2026' to Enhance Retirement Planning for an Aging Society
Mercer's first Thailand retirement survey reveals that while 98% of employers offer provident funds, most lack modern design strategies needed for an aging population with life expectancy near 80 years. The study recommends lifecycle invest
On April 30, 2026, Mercer released Thailand's first Retirement Insights and Strategy Evaluation (RISE) survey, drawing data from 173 leading Thai organizations. The survey shows that while nearly 98% of participating employers offer provident funds, many lack forward-thinking design suited to longer retirements as Thai life expectancy approaches 80 years. Winit Tipputtaragaew, Retirement Business Leader for Mercer Thailand and Southeast Asia, noted that retirement outcomes depend not just on having a plan, but on the quality of its design and management.
The survey found that even small differences in contribution levels, investment structure, and fund oversight can significantly compound over a 20-30 year retirement. However, a major concern is limited investment options for employees—only 3% of organizations use lifecycle or target-date approaches, with half lacking any default investment strategy. Mercer recommends implementing targeted improvements such as lifecycle investment approaches, clear contribution frameworks, and regular fund manager assessments to create sustainable financial security for long-term retirement.
