Can you collect your social security refund/payment before age 55 if you are leaving Thailand for good?

[guyfromtheweb2]

It appears that you have to be age 55 AND have made social security (SS) contributions for at least a year (but less than 15 years) to get a lump sum payment, or refund, of your SS contributions over the years.  Any exception for people under age 55 who have been paying SS tax for over a year but will be quitting their job and leaving Thailand for good?  Any way to get a SS payment?

[Celsius]

No.

 

My wife was paying into SS for over 20 years and now that we might go to Canada she asked at the office. It was a hard no.

[guyfromtheweb2]

9 hours ago, Celsius said:

No.

 

My wife was paying into SS for over 20 years and now that we might go to Canada she asked at the office. It was a hard no.

 

@Celcius Thank you for the definitive response.  What if your wife, after going to Canada, returned to Thailand to visit sometime in the future after she reached age 55.  Could she then go to the SS office and ask for her SS lump payment/refund?

[DrJoy]

On 1/27/2024 at 8:41 PM, guyfromtheweb2 said:

Any exception for people under age 55 who have been paying SS tax for over a year but will be quitting their job and leaving Thailand for good?

No exceptions.

Visit Thailand after you reach the correct age.

You will need a Thai bank account to get the money transferred into.