What do we get if we pay for Social Security?

In Thailand, the insured under the social security system is divided into 3 sections: Section 33, Section 39, and Section 40, using the following criteria:

1. Insured people under Section 33. 

Employees or officers of general private companies aged 15 to 60 years old on the day of entry and work in business establishments with one or more employees.

These groups will be regularly deducted from their monthly salary to Social Security Fund at 5% of wages, employers will add 5%, and the government will add 2.75%, with a minimum contribution of 83 baht per month, up to 750 baht per month according to the wage rate.

What expenses is 750 baht that we paid divided into?

• 225 baht for taking care of illness, disability, childbirth, and death. If you don’t exercise your rights, this part of the money will not be returned.
• 75 baht for unemployment insurance that can be received while looking for a new job. If there is no unemployment period, this amount will not be refunded.
• 450 baht is the savings that will be repaid at the age of 55.

2. Insured people under Section 39

A voluntary insured person who used to be insured under section 33 pays contributions at least 12 months before leaving the job and then quits the job for up to 6 months, but wants to maintain social security rights. 

These people are required to send 432 baht per month every month in a row. If they do not send their contributions for 3 consecutive months or within 12 months, the contribution will not be fully paid for 9 months and the termination of Section 39 will be considered immediately.

3. Insured people under Section 40

Individuals who are engaged in occupations or freelance workers aged 15 to 65 years old completely who are not insured under Section 33, Section 39, government officials and state enterprise employees.

The insured’s contribution under section 40 is voluntary and can be paid from 70, 100 and 300 baht per month to access different benefits.

What do we get after Social Security is paid off? Privileges that many people don’t know.

Each clause has different privileges, which may cause social security people to miss the rights and money they deserve each year. The benefits are as follows:

1. In case of illness

Insured people under all three Sections (33, 39, and 40) can be treated free of charge at selected hospitals, both outpatient (OPD) and inpatient (IPD). However, if it is urgent and needs to be treated at a hospital other than the selected hospital, it must be pre-paid and disbursed later as follows:

• In the case of public hospitals, inpatients can receive the payment as the actual paid amount, while room and meals can be paid not more than 700 baht per day.
• In the case of private hospital treatment, the amount can be charged as paid, but the limit varies depending on the treatment other than the selected hospital. The room and meals can be up to 2,000 baht per day and ICU 4,500 but must be pre-paid within 72 hours.

In addition, if a doctor orders you to take a day off for treatment, he or she will be compensated for 50% of his salary but not more than 15,000 baht per month for up to 90 days per time and up to 180 days per year.

2. Dentistry

For insured persons under Sections 33 and 39, who have paid at least 3 months in the past 15 months of treatment, they can use dental rights such as tooth extraction, dental filling, teeth cleaning, and tooth impaction removal up to 900 baht per year. In addition, some removable dentures and whole mouth dentures can be made up to 1,500 baht within 5 years from the date of implantation.

3. Free Health Checkup

Insured people under sections 33 and 39 are entitled to 14 free medical examinations per year from participating hospitals.

4. Free vaccine injection

• Influenza vaccine

For insured persons aged 50 years or older, Section 33 and Section 39 are continuously injected once a year at the Social Security office designated by the Office of Social Security. The service will be available from May 1 to August 31, 2023.

• Rabies virus vaccine

Social Security benefits can be obtained through vaccination after being exposed to rabies virus free of charge.

5. Unemployment

For the insured under section 33, who has paid contributions for 6 months within 15 months before unemployment, there is an unemployment period of 8 days or more and must not be terminated for fraud of duty or intentionally causing damage to employers. When losing their jobs, both dismissal and resignation, they will receive compensation as follows:

• In case of dismissal, 50% of the average wage will be compensated based on the actual wage base but up to 15,000 baht for a period not exceeding 180 days or 6 months per cycle in 1 year.
• In case of resignation or termination of the employment contract, 30% of the average wage will be compensated for up to 15,000 baht at a time not exceeding 90 days or 3 months per cycle in one year.

6. Childbirth

For insured persons under sections 33 and 39 who have already paid at least five months in the past 15 months before childbirth, they will receive an unlimited allowance of 15,000 baht per child and receive 50% of maternity leave for up to 90 days during maternity leave, not more than twice a year.

7. Child Support

For persons under all 3 sections (33, 39, and 40), which have already paid contributions for at least 12 months, within 36 months of receiving compensation, insured persons with children up to 6 years of age who have legal status will receive a monthly allowance of 800 baht per child.

8. In case of disability

For persons under 3 sections (33, 39, and 40), the fund will be paid 50% of the monthly salary for life and will be paid at public hospitals. If treated in private hospitals, the fund will pay no more than 2,000 baht per month for outpatients 1,000,000 baht. In this regard, the elderly with disabilities are still eligible to receive benefits like ordinary people.

9. In case of Death

For those insured under Sections 33 and 39 who have paid contributions for 36 – 120 months, the insured will receive a funeral fee of 50,000 baht plus 50% of the average salary of 4 months. The insured who has paid contributions for more than 120 months will receive 50% of the average wage for 12 months.

For the insured under Section 40, only Plan 1 and 2 will receive a funeral fee of 25,000 baht and an additional 8,000 baht. In the case of 60 months before death, Plan 3 will receive a funeral fee of 25,000.

10. In case of old age

For the insured under Sections 33, 39, and 40 (Section 40 only on Plans 2 and 3) When the age of 55 and with the termination of the insured’s insurance coverage during the payment of contributions under 12 months or more but not exceeding 180 months (15 years)., one can receive an ‘old age pension’ as defined by the Social Security Office. However, if the payment of a contribution of 180 months or more is completed, one will get an ‘old age pension’ monthly for a lifetime.

11. Tax deduction

Social Security funds can be used to reduce annual taxes according to actual payments. For example, if the insured pays 750 baht per month for 12 months, they will apply for a tax reduction of 9,000 baht.