National Savings Fund Pushes Retirement Lottery, Targets Elderly Financial Security
Thailand's National Savings Fund unveiled reforms including a new savings lottery and expansion plans targeting 5 million more Thais to boost retirement security and reduce elderly poverty.
Petch Shinbutri, secretary-general of the National Savings Fund (NSF), announced sweeping reforms one month after taking office. The NSF will accelerate membership expansion, strengthen partnerships with government agencies, develop new savings products, and push forward with a savings lottery project to support Thailand's aging society sustainably.
The NSF's core goal extends beyond membership growth—it aims to ensure financial security for retirees and reduce elderly poverty. The fund currently has approximately 2 million members but targets recruiting 140,000 new members in 2569 and eventually bringing 5 million more eligible Thais into the savings system. The NSF is shifting to "Win-Win" cooperation models with various agencies to expand membership systematically.
The NSF plans to partner with the Interior Ministry to encourage local leaders and villagers to join the system, collaborate with universities to reach youth aged 15 and older, and expand outreach to 400,000-500,000 Thai workers abroad. For the savings lottery project, all government bodies have agreed in principle; the NSF aims to complete regulations by 2569 and launch ticket sales in Q1 2570 at 50 baht per ticket with prizes up to 1 million baht.
Additional reforms under study include allowing partial withdrawals before age 60 and using savings history as collateral for loans with state financial institutions, expanding opportunities for youth and informal workers to access formal credit.
