Social Security

[stament]

Just trying to understand

 

 

a). What the level of social security contributions are due when you work in Thailand. 

 

b). What benefits you are entitled to from contributions and does it differ if you are a foreigner?

 

Thanks 

[meyori]

a) When I was working up till few years ago, I paid 750 Baht per month (company pays another 750 Baht). 

b) There is NO difference between Thai & foreigner as far as benefits. Your medical is almost 100% covered including medicine at appointed hospital. If special doctor/treatment is necessary, your doctor will refer to other doctors/hospitals. If you need to travel off your province, they will give you some money to cover travel expense. If you contribute more than three months & quite, you get some money back.(The amount is depending on how many months you have contributed.) If you retired, you can continue to contribute as an individual paying 430 Baht per month to receive same benefits or quite contribution and receive sum payment or 3,000 Baht per month till you die. If you die, your family will receive some support money for your funeral.

Myself & my husband appreciate a lot of for Thai social security. Its benefit may be not as good as back home country. But with my opinion, it's been GREAT having it. There is an information leaflet at the social security office in English for more detail.

[blackcab]

Answer:

 

a) You will contribute 5 per cent of your salary, up to a maximum of 750 baht per month.

 

b) Benefits outlined above, chiefly free or almost free healthcare at your appointed hospital, or any hospital they refer you too.

 

There is no difference in the entitlement between a Thai and a Non Thai.

[stament]

2 hours ago, blackcab said:

Answer:

 

a) You will contribute 5 per cent of your salary, up to a maximum of 750 baht per month.

 

b) Benefits outlined above, chiefly free or almost free healthcare at your appointed hospital, or any hospital they refer you too.

 

There is no difference in the entitlement between a Thai and a Non Thai.

Thanks for the great replies both. Sounds a good scheme especially for those who don't have healthcare.  A couple of follow-ups if you don't mind.... 

 

1) Is this available if you work for any organisation in TH?

 

2) Is there a qualifying period before you can claim any benefits?

 

3) Mentioned above that you can continue paying when you retire. Are you able to continue paying if your job finished but you aren't retired, say you are on a marriage visa for example.

 

4). Is the healthcare the same as the Thai 30baht scheme do you know. If not how does it differ?

 

 

 

[blackcab]

1. It is available if you have a tax number, a work permit and your employer correctly deducts and submits the payment. That's nearly all employers in Thailand, however there a very limited exceptions such as Embassies and agencies of the UN.

 

2. 90 days I believe, but I'm not absolutely sure of this.

 

3. I'm not certain. Perhaps @Sheryl could answer this.

 

4. It is not the same. There are three types of public healthcare available: a. The 30 baht scheme, which is available to Thai citizens who have no other cover. b. The Social Fund scheme for workers. c. The Civil Service scheme for government employees.

 

In practice I don't know if you get more coverage with the workers scheme as opposed to the 30 baht scheme. @Sheryl?

 

[stament]

4 minutes ago, blackcab said:

1. It is available if you have a tax number, a work permit and your employer correctly deducts and submits the payment. That's nearly all employers in Thailand, however there a very limited exceptions such as Embassies and agencies of the UN.

 

2. 90 days I believe, but I'm not absolutely sure of this.

 

3. I'm not certain. Perhaps @Sheryl could answer this.

 

4. It is not the same. There are three types of public healthcare available: a. The 30 baht scheme, which is available to Thai citizens who have no other cover. b. The Social Fund scheme for workers. c. The Civil Service scheme for government employees.

 

In practice I don't know if you get more coverage with the workers scheme as opposed to the 30 baht scheme. @Sheryl?

 

Thanks for the swift responses all. I recall reading this SS health benefit isn't available to workers at private schools. Is this true or is it a myth?

[blackcab]

Unfortunately I do not know as I'm not a teacher. Best place to ask that question is in the teaching forum.

[stament]

1 minute ago, blackcab said:

Unfortunately I do not know as I'm not a teacher. Best place to ask that question is in the teaching forum.

Thanks 

[khunPer]

 

On 7/19/2019 at 7:36 AM, stament said:

What benefits you are entitled to from contributions and does it differ if you are a foreigner?

Foreigners have same rights as Thais.

 

If your employer don't supply a Social Security, you can join voluntary.

 

The fee is 10% of the salary, minimum just under 500 baht a month, and maximum 1,500 baht a month. Normally the employer pays half, so you would pay 5% of your salary, and maximum 750 baht a month.

 

A benefit from Social Security is, that if you continue to stay in Thailand after work, you can keep the SS going for a low voluntary fee, and keep your health benefits, which might replace a health insurance, if you can accept the hospital you are assigned to by SS.

 

These two links gives you all the information you might need to know:

Thailand - Social Security and Welfare (by Expat Focus)

Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Asia and the Pacific, 2014, Thailand (by USA SS)

[Sheryl]

Once you have been covered continuously for a year you can continue coverage for life by making your own payments. Some people have had trouble setting this up and been wrongly told it does not apply to foreigners - it definitely does. However it is difficult for them to set you up if you do not have a Thai pink ID card so should get one if possible. Requires that you first get a yellow tabian ban, then is very easily issued.  (It is possible to work around not having a pink ID card  but most SS staff do not know how as the computer forms require entry of an ID number). It is actually better to have the pink card even while still working as it will facilitate getting you listed in the hospital database as covered by SS.

 

Private schools are exempt from the legal requirement for SS. I have heard that despite this one could choose to enrol at ones own expense (other than private schools the employer has to pay part of the premium) but not heard from anyone who has actually done so.

 

The cover is very similar to that of the "30 baht" system but not totally identical.  Care must be obtained at one nominated hospital but you usually have some choice as to which it is (be sure to choose yourself. Do NOT allow your company's staff to decide for you).

 

 

[Crossy]

Thanks @Sheryl Is there any limit to age for employer's contributions assuming I'm still working?

 

I expect to be working well past normal retirement age (possibly until 70, I really like what I do). Will my employer be able to make the 50% contribution or will I have to make all the payment?

 

[Sheryl]

AFAIK, no limit. But I am not sure.

[stament]

1 hour ago, Crossy said:

Thanks @Sheryl Is there any limit to age for employer's contributions assuming I'm still working?

 

I expect to be working well past normal retirement age (possibly until 70, I really like what I do). Will my employer be able to make the 50% contribution or will I have to make all the payment?

 

What do you do pray tell?????

 

I can't wait to retire 

[Crossy]

6 minutes ago, stament said:

What do you do pray tell?????

 

I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.

 

Seriously, I don't directly say who I work for or what I do, but I don't hide it either. Read a few of my posts ????

 

And I can't retire 'coz I got screwed by the LM Investment Fund ????

 

[stament]

50 minutes ago, Crossy said:

 

I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.

 

Seriously, I don't directly say who I work for or what I do, but I don't hide it either. Read a few of my posts ????

 

And I can't retire 'coz I got screwed by the LM Investment Fund ????

 

I like living. Sorry to hear about your misfortune