I just turned 70 and I'm still working (with a Work Permit).  I have Thai Social Security... been paying into it for 30 years. A buddy said two things: I could be forced to retire due to my age AND, more importantly, the option of choosing healthcare for life might not be available for foreigners due to recent changes.

I do marketing for a tour company that I started. My age doesn't affect my work. I've had a Work Permit for 30 years. My accountant said (a while ago) that getting a Work Permit when elderly is an issue, but keeping one going usually isn't. 

I'm more concerned about losing my healthcare. I can't find any info online about that. The Thai SS site makes no mention.  Does anyone else have any insight into this?

@Sheryl is there a better sub forum for this guys question. 

Moved to Health Forum.

 

The SS act has not been amended since 2015.

 

There is talk of amending it in future but I have not heard anything to suggest that the proposed changes would affect  health cover for life through self contributions after retirement.

 

 

17 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Moved to Health Forum.

 

The SS act has not been amended since 2015.

 

There is talk of amending it in future but I have not heard anything to suggest that the proposed changes would affect  health cover for life through self contributions after retirement.

 

 

Thanks.  I haven't heard anything about changes at all. What potential changes have you heard about?

2 hours ago, Galong said:

Thanks.  I haven't heard anything about changes at all. What potential changes have you heard about?

https://thainews.prd.go.th/nbtworld/news/view/1469111/?bid=1

2 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

https://thainews.prd.go.th/nbtworld/news/view/1469111/?bid=1

Thanks for the link. 🙏  So, they want to expand, not contract... get more folks enrolled would help the system. It's such a great program and very affordable. Very few of my Thai friends outside of my company buy into it, unfortunately.   

On 10/24/2025 at 6:43 PM, Sheryl said:

Moved to Health Forum.

 

The SS act has not been amended since 2015.

 

There is talk of amending it in future but I have not heard anything to suggest that the proposed changes would affect  health cover for life through self contributions after retirement.

 

 

 

I retired several years ago and moved to the self funded membership (available until death) and the SSO automatically deducts my monthly SSP member subscription of 432Baht from my nonimated K Bank savings account. Been like this for some time. Never heard of / read about any changes to thie arrangement which is very specific in the Social Security Act Article 39. I very much doubt it would change and it would need a specific change to the act of parliament.

 

Suggest you calll the SSO Hotline 1506 to discuss. Call 1506 and select Thai or English language. If you select English and it reverts to Thai that means an English speaking officer is not available at that time. Don't panic, call again later or the next day. Worth the wait to connect, when you do get an english speaking officer you will get a very clear answer. 

On 10/24/2025 at 2:21 PM, Galong said:

I just turned 70 and I'm still working (with a Work Permit).  I have Thai Social Security... been paying into it for 30 years. A buddy said two things: I could be forced to retire due to my age AND, more importantly, the option of choosing healthcare for life might not be available for foreigners due to recent changes.

I do marketing for a tour company that I started. My age doesn't affect my work. I've had a Work Permit for 30 years. My accountant said (a while ago) that getting a Work Permit when elderly is an issue, but keeping one going usually isn't. 

I'm more concerned about losing my healthcare. I can't find any info online about that. The Thai SS site makes no mention.  Does anyone else have any insight into this?

 

You can work as long as you like as long as the company wants you. I know a couple of people who 75 and still working.

11 hours ago, scorecard said:

 

I retired several years ago and moved to the self funded membership (available until death) and the SSO automatically deducts my monthly SSP member subscription of 432Baht from my nonimated K Bank savings account. Been like this for some time. Never heard of / read about any changes to thie arrangement which is very specific in the Social Security Act Article 39. I very much doubt it would change and it would need a specific change to the act of parliament.

 

Suggest you calll the SSO Hotline 1506 to discuss. Call 1506 and select Thai or English language. If you select English and it reverts to Thai that means an English speaking officer is not available at that time. Don't panic, call again later or the next day. Worth the wait to connect, when you do get an english speaking officer you will get a very clear answer. 

 

I add more... The Thai Social Security regulations and health benefits are standard for both Thai citizens and foreigners and regadlesss of what visa the foreigner has, but SSO membership doesn't provide any 'protection' to foreigners to allow a foreigner to maintain / renew their visa.  

For Thai PR holders SSO membership under article 39 is valid for lifetime if the monthly membership payments are kept up to date.  

17 hours ago, petedk said:

 

You can work as long as you like as long as the company wants you. I know a couple of people who 75 and still working.

"a buddy said..." I worry about this, we all know not to believe what 'our buddy' says.

 

On 10/24/2025 at 2:21 PM, Galong said:

I just turned 70 and I'm still working (with a Work Permit).  I have Thai Social Security... been paying into it for 30 years. A buddy said two things: I could be forced to retire due to my age AND, more importantly, the option of choosing healthcare for life might not be available for foreigners due to recent changes.

I do marketing for a tour company that I started. My age doesn't affect my work. I've had a Work Permit for 30 years. My accountant said (a while ago) that getting a Work Permit when elderly is an issue, but keeping one going usually isn't. 

I'm more concerned about losing my healthcare. I can't find any info online about that. The Thai SS site makes no mention.  Does anyone else have any insight into this?

I Called 1506 yeserday and I got an English speaking officer on the line. I've now discovred that the English speaking officers are the SSO lawyers. You said "A buddy said two things: I could be forced to retire due to my age AND, more importantly, the option of choosing healthcare for life might not be available for foreigners due to recent changes".

 

The English speaking officer commented "The SSO cannot 'force' anybody to resign and there is no move to change the healthcare benefits in any way, and that also means that foreigners will always receive the same healthcare benefits (section 39) as currently'.

 

I say again, call the SSO hotline 1506 and if neededwait until you can connect to an nglish speaking officer and get a correct / legal answer. 

 

There's another option, go to the SSO main website and you'll see there a 'chatline' column. Write your question in that column, in English and give your mobile number. You'll get a call from an English speaking officer and you'll get a correct / legal answer. It's possible you will get the call well into the evening from an English speaking officer. Their policy is that any questions put on the chatline must be answered the same day. 

I do marketing for a tour company that I started. My Your buddy is wrong. d get the correct answer.

21 hours ago, petedk said:

 

You can work as long as you like as long as the company wants you. I know a couple of people who 75 and still working.

 

I retired 10 years ago ad changed to the Arricle 39 self funded option ), SSO auto deducts the standard monthly member contribution from my nominated K Bank savings account. Six months ago a local company asked me to mentor 2 of their staff in line to get leadership promotions in 1 to 2 years time. I mentioned that I've retired and taken the SSO payout, now SSO deducts the standard 432Baht a month direct from my K bank account.

The company checked and found:

- Still need a work permit (I knew that anyway) and there's no maximum age limit. 

- Can continue the SS Article 39 system where the SSO auto deducts the 432Baht direct from my bank account for lifetime and SSO health benefits available for lifetime. 

The company admin. director asked the SSO lawyer of there's any changes coming up for SS membership / benefits for foreigners. Answer was a clear NO, the SS act does not and never will differentiate between Thai SS members and foreign members. Plus this deliberately aligns with text in other labor acts. 

4 hours ago, scorecard said:

"a buddy said..." I worry about this, we all know not to believe what 'our buddy' says.

 

I Called 1506 yeserday and I got an English speaking officer on the line. I've now discovred that the English speaking officers are the SSO lawyers. You said "A buddy said two things: I could be forced to retire due to my age AND, more importantly, the option of choosing healthcare for life might not be available for foreigners due to recent changes".

 

The English speaking officer commented "The SSO cannot 'force' anybody to resign and there is no move to change the healthcare benefits in any way, and that also means that foreigners will always receive the same healthcare benefits (section 39) as currently'.

 

I say again, call the SSO hotline 1506 and if needed wait until you can connect to an nglish speaking officer and get a correct / legal answer. 

 

There's another option, go to the SSO main website and you'll see there a 'chatline' column. Write your question in that column, in English, and give your mobile number. You'll get a call from an English speaking officer and you'll get a correct / legal answer. It's possible you will get the return call well into the evening from an English speaking officer. Their policy is that any questions put on the chatline must be answered the same day. 

I do marketing for a tour company that I started. My Your buddy is wrong. d get the correct answer.

 

3 hours ago, scorecard said:

 

I retired 10 years ago ad changed to the Arricle 39 self funded option ), SSO auto deducts the standard monthly member contribution from my nominated K Bank savings account. Six months ago a local company asked me to mentor 2 of their staff in line to get leadership promotions in 1 to 2 years time. I mentioned that I've retired and taken the SSO payout, now SSO deducts the standard 432Baht a month direct from my K bank account.

The company checked and found:

- Still need a work permit (I knew that anyway) and there's no maximum age limit. 

- Can continue the SS Article 39 system where the SSO auto deducts the 432Baht direct from my bank account for lifetime and SSO health benefits available for lifetime. 

The company admin. director asked the SSO lawyer of there's any changes coming up for SS membership / benefits for foreigners. Answer was a clear NO, the SS act does not and never will differentiate between Thai SS members and foreign members. Plus this deliberately aligns with text in other labor acts. 

Great info, Scorecard... thanks for the explanation and personal experience info. 🙏

On 10/27/2025 at 2:32 PM, Galong said:

Great info, Scorecard... thanks for the explanation and personal experience info. 🙏

 

If you are a retired SSO member paying direct to the SSO each month, throught the 432 monthly member contribution direct debit from your personal bank account on the 15*th of each month and there's not enough funds in your bank account on the 15th?

What can you do?

 

- First point, if the 15th of the month is a Sat or Sun or public holiday the deduction from your bank account moves automatically to the first day banks are operating after the 15th.

- Next point - how to remedy the missed payment situation, and it's quite simple.

- - Go to any 7/11 store

- - Take with you a printed copy of the head of the SSO main website or a smartphone photo of the same, and your pink card and 432Baht cash (cannot be paid by credit or debit card).

- - Give all of the above to the cashier. Cashier will instantly realize you want to pay. Cashier will open the SSO payments facility on the cash register and enter your member number (pink card number). Then cashier will ask 'pay 1 month or 2' in Thai. Reply from you '1' or 1 finger (meanng 432Baht).

- - Cashier will take your money and give you change and a receipt. All done.

- - Funds are transferred from 7/11 to the SSO the next working day.

- - All done.  So simple and easy.

56 minutes ago, scorecard said:

 

If you are a retired SSO member paying direct to the SSO each month, throught the 432 monthly member contribution direct debit from your personal bank account on the 15*th of each month and there's not enough funds in your bank account on the 15th?

What can you do?

 

- First point, if the 15th of the month is a Sat or Sun or public holiday the deduction from your bank account moves automatically to the first day banks are operating after the 15th.

- Next point - how to remedy the missed payment situation, and it's quite simple.

- - Go to any 7/11 store

- - Take with you a printed copy of the head of the SSO main website or a smartphone photo of the same, and your pink card and 432Baht cash (cannot be paid by credit or debit card).

- - Give all of the above to the cashier. Cashier will instantly realize you want to pay. Cashier will open the SSO payments facility on the cash register and enter your member number (pink card number). Then cashier will ask 'pay 1 month or 2' in Thai. Reply from you '1' or 1 finger (meanng 432Baht).

- - Cashier will take your money and give you change and a receipt. All done.

- - Funds are transferred from 7/11 to the SSO the next working day.

- - All done.  So simple and easy.

 

Once retired, what is required to continue to pay into the SS fund ?

 

First, the foreigner must have been paying monthly Thai SS member contributions for some time and then elect to retire and that probably means take a refund of the member contributions.

 

When this happens the foreigner has six months to advise the SSO that he/she wishes to change to the self-funded membership (Article 39 of the Social Security act. This act, in English, can easily be found on the WWW by Google search). 

 

The change to self-funded includes advising the SSO a personal Thai bank account number in the member's name. On the 15th of each month (late evening) the SSO will automatically take 432Baht from this bank account.

 

This can continue until death. 

 

The foreigner must also give the SSO a copy of the yellow Tabien Baan (TB) book with their name in the book, plus a copy of the pink card the member is holding.

 

And they want to see the actual bank book that the funds will come from. I initially gave them the account name of a savings account at  Bank but they wouldn't accept it because it was a joint bank account, me and my adult Thai son. Had to be an account in just my name.  The SSO is not interested in the balance in the account. 

 

All of the above is an overview. Can I suggest:

 

1. Get a copy of the act and read it, not difficult.

2. Call the SS Hotline on 1506 and ask the officer to explain all of the above in full detail. NOTE: the SSO officers on 1506 cannot complete the change on your behalf, this must be done at a local SSO office. Also ask the SSO officer to give you a website address where you can get full details of the entitled benefits.

 

Alternatively go to the local SSO office with all the documents mentioned and seek their advice how to proceed. The SSO has offices everywhere but at these offices there's little English spoken so best to take a Thai person with you to help with translation. And best to explain it all to the Thai person in advance of visiting the SSO office.

 

A few  foreigners have experienced negative attitudes / refusal to proceed, to the idea of foreigners being allowed to continue however the act does allow any member to take the self-funded route to continue their membership. So best to take a Thai person with you to help with translation. And the English speaking officers on the 1506 hotline will readily confirm that foreigners who are SSO members are entitled to change to the self-funded membership but the member must advise the SSO they wish to make this change within six months of retiring. 

 

Also you need to tell the SSO when you visit the local office the name of the Thai hospital you wish to be recorded at. 

 

I believe that can be any government hospital and some private hospitals provide medical services to SSO members.

 

I nominated Rajavej hospital in Chiang Mai. When I visit I go to the SSO section and get whatever attention I need. The doctors are the same doctors who work in the public area of the hospital.

 

I recently went for the annual check up offered (mostly a long list of blood analysis, and an ECG, no charge).

 

Within 20 minutes of arrival, registration etc., a nurse took by blood. I was told I needed to wait 45 minutes for my blood to go to pathlology but the results were back in 35 minutes.

 

A nurse found me in the waiting area and took me to a friendly English speaking doctor who explained the results. 

 

Good luck. 

Yeah, but I think without yellow housework or pink ID card, you can't pay in after retiring, so then you lose health care benefit 

On 10/27/2025 at 11:08 AM, scorecard said:

 

I retired 10 years ago ad changed to the Arricle 39 self funded option ), SSO auto deducts the standard monthly member contribution from my nominated K Bank savings account. Six months ago a local company asked me to mentor 2 of their staff in line to get leadership promotions in 1 to 2 years time. I mentioned that I've retired and taken the SSO payout, now SSO deducts the standard 432Baht a month direct from my K bank account.

The company checked and found:

- Still need a work permit (I knew that anyway) and there's no maximum age limit. 

- Can continue the SS Article 39 system where the SSO auto deducts the 432Baht direct from my bank account for lifetime and SSO health benefits available for lifetime. 

The company admin. director asked the SSO lawyer of there's any changes coming up for SS membership / benefits for foreigners. Answer was a clear NO, the SS act does not and never will differentiate between Thai SS members and foreign members. Plus this deliberately aligns with text in other labor acts. 

Following your post above, I was wondering if you were able to continue to SSO contributions under section 39 *(voluntary - 432 THB/month) while working again? Isn't the employer obliged to enroll you within 30 days after employment under SSO -section 33 (employment) and therefore automatically cancels your enrollment under section 39 with SSO? Were you contributing under both sections or did you have the choice (either 33 - voluntary or 39 - employment)?

Another question I have is the following...
- What if you switched before your eligible retirement age (55 yrs) from employment (section - 33) to voluntary (section - 39) and you reach retirement age (55 yrs) while under section 39? Will SSO automatically cut you out the system or force you to take the lumpsum payment (or retirement - if worked for more than 180 months)?
 

1 hour ago, Fiskebolle said:

Following your post above, I was wondering if you were able to continue to SSO contributions under section 39 *(voluntary - 432 THB/month) while working again? Isn't the employer obliged to enroll you within 30 days after employment under SSO -section 33 (employment) and therefore automatically cancels your enrollment under section 39 with SSO? Were you contributing under both sections or did you have the choice (either 33 - voluntary or 39 - employment)?

Another question I have is the following...
- What if you switched before your eligible retirement age (55 yrs) from employment (section - 33) to voluntary (section - 39) and you reach retirement age (55 yrs) while under section 39? Will SSO automatically cut you out the system or force you to take the lumpsum payment (or retirement - if worked for more than 180 months)?
 

Answers:

Your question 1 - I indicated to the company that wanted to employ me for 2 years that I wanted to remain in the 'self funded' membership. They discussed this with the SS Hotline 1506 officer who indicated that this could be arranged.

 

Your Question 2 - Sorry but I don't know the answer to this scenario and I suggest you call the SS Hotline on 1506 to seek a specific answer. 

10 hours ago, scorecard said:

First, the foreigner must have been paying monthly Thai SS member contributions for some time and then elect to retire and that probably means take a refund of the member contributions.

 

When this happens the foreigner has six months to advise the SSO that he/she wishes to change to the self-funded membership (Article 39 of the Social Security act. This act, in English, can easily be found on the WWW by Google search). 

 

The change to self-funded includes advising the SSO a personal Thai bank account number in the member's name. On the 15th of each month (late evening) the SSO will automatically take 432Baht from this bank account.

 

This can continue until death. 

 

The foreigner must also give the SSO a copy of the yellow Tabien Baan (TB) book with their name in the book, plus a copy of the pink card the member is holding.

 

And they want to see the actual bank book that the funds will come from. I initially gave them the account name of a savings account at  Bank but they wouldn't accept it because it was a joint bank account, me and my adult Thai son. Had to be an account in just my name.  The SSO is not interested in the balance in the account. 

 

All of the above is an overview. Can I suggest:

 

1. Get a copy of the act and read it, not difficult.

2. Call the SS Hotline on 1506 and ask the officer to explain all of the above in full detail. NOTE: the SSO officers on 1506 cannot complete the change on your behalf, this must be done at a local SSO office. Also ask the SSO officer to give you a website address where you can get full details of the entitled benefits.

 

Alternatively go to the local SSO office with all the documents mentioned and seek their advice how to proceed. The SSO has offices everywhere but at these offices there's little English spoken so best to take a Thai person with you to help with translation. And best to explain it all to the Thai person in advance of visiting the SSO office.

 

A few  foreigners have experienced negative attitudes / refusal to proceed, to the idea of foreigners being allowed to continue however the act does allow any member to take the self-funded route to continue their membership.

 

(A further / later comment: Local regional / area SSO offices of the SSO do NOT / cannot make or change SSO policies / benefits / entitlements / regulations / processes. These are dictated by the SSO Act of parliament and can only be changed by an official amendment to the act of parliament, and the actual administrative processes (not policies) are dictated by the SSO National Head Office at Nonthaburi.)   

 

So best to take a Thai person with you to the local to help with translation.

 

And the English speaking officers on the 1506 hotline will readily confirm that foreigners who are SSO members are entitled to change to the self-funded membership but the member must advise the SSO they wish to make this change within six months of retiring. 

 

Also you need to tell the SSO when you visit the local office the name of the Thai hospital you wish to be recorded at. 

 

I believe that can be any government hospital and some private hospitals provide medical services to SSO members.

 

I nominated Rajavej hospital in Chiang Mai as my peferred SSO hospital, very close to my home. 

 

When I visit I go to the SSO section of Rajaavej to get whatever attention I need. The doctors are the same doctors who work in the public area of the hospital.

 

I recently went for the annual check up offered by the SSO (mostly a long list of blood analysis, and an ECG, no charge).

 

Within 20 minutes of arrival, registration etc., a nurse took by blood. I was told I needed to wait 45 minutes for my blood to go to pathlology but the results were back in 35 minutes.

 

A nurse found me in the waiting area and took me to a friendly English speaking doctor who explained the results and gave me a copy of the report in English.

 

Good luck. 

 

10 hours ago, scorecard said:

I believe that can be any government hospital and some private hospitals provide medical services to SSO members.

SSO has a list of local member hospitals to choose from. I believe many private hospitals, like Sukhumvit and Camillian, as well as government hospitals, have dropped out due to cost pressure, or refuse to take foreign patients under Article 39. During a certain period of time, at the end or beginning of the year, you have the opportunity to elect another hospital. You may be able to view the list online.

 

You have to apply for Article 39. There is no change or switch. Be sure to apply during that 6-month window.

 

Your bank may add a charge to the monthly SSO debit. SSO used to inform you of the successful monthly payment by mail, then by text, but now I think they stopped that. SSO cannot charge more than 432 because that is baked into the Social Security Act, but they sometimes charge less.

 

You can go to your local SSO office and pick up a free pamphlet in English that explains the various plans, including Article 39. I think the benefits under Article 39 are the same except unemployment insurance. Not sure about pensions. It explains how you could lose your membership, like by missing payments.

 

Your SSO contributions are fully tax deductible. You can ask your local SSO office to give you an official statement showing your payments for the past year.

 

SSO is an acceptable substitute for Medicare Part B. You do not have to pay for Part B and you will not be charged a lifetime penalty once you return to the US and sign up for Part B.

11 hours ago, FruitPudding said:

Yeah, but I think without yellow housework or pink ID card, you can't pay in after retiring, so then you lose health care benefit 

Most members of the SSO can easily tansfer to the self-funded membership. But there's some situations where this has complications, but discussion with the 1506 Hotline officer can bring a resolution.

 

Here's a simple example. I have Thai Permanent Residency (28 yeras). I made some inquiries at the Chiang Mai SSO office and they insisted that SSO members must have a yellow Tabien Baan TB book to change to self-funded. 

 

Reality is that foreigners who have PR are recorded in the standard dark blue covered Tabien Bahn book my name is in the dark blue family TB book.

 

I called the 1506 hotline, the officer readily indicated that she wasn't aware that PR holders must (by Thai administrative regulations) be recorded in the dark blue book. She listened carefully and took notes and inicated she would call me back within 2 days.

 

She did call back and shared that she had confirmed that foreigners with PR muat be recorded in the darkblue book and she had made anamendment to the SSO regulations to indicate PR holders must present a dark blue TB book to the local SSO office rather than a yellow covered book. She also shared that she had given these new regulations to the senior SSO man at their CM office. Within about 2 hrs the CM senior guy called and spoke to my Thai adult son to inform me the dark blue covered TB book was now accepted. 

 

1 minute ago, scorecard said:

Most members of the SSO can easily tansfer to the self-funded membership. But there's some situations where this has complications, but discussion with the 1506 Hotline officer can bring a resolution.

 

Here's a simple example. I have Thai Permanent Residency (28 yeras). I made some inquiries at the Chiang Mai SSO office and they insisted that SSO members must have a yellow Tabien Baan TB book to change to self-funded. 

 

Reality is that foreigners who have PR are recorded in the standard dark blue covered Tabien Bahn book my name is in the dark blue family TB book.

 

I called the 1506 hotline, the officer readily indicated that she wasn't aware that PR holders must (by Thai administrative regulations) be recorded in the dark blue book. She listened carefully and took notes and indicated she would call me back within 2 days.

 

She did call back quickly and shared that she had confirmed that foreigners with PR muat be recorded in the darkblue book and she had made an amendment to the SSO regulations to indicate PR holders must present a dark blue TB book to the local SSO office rather than a yellow covered TB book. She also shared that she had given these new regulations to the senior SSO man at their CM office in writing. Within about 2 hrs the CM senior guy called and spoke to my Thai adult son to inform me the dark blue covered TB book was now accepted. 

 

 

Dear AN friends,

My apologies and bad for perhaps not formulating my question clearly... Actually, my main concern here is what happens if you have switched from section 22 (employment) to section 39 (voluntary contributions) BEFORE Retirement Age (55 yrs)? Would you be forced automatically to take the retirement lumpsum (or monthly pension) when reaching this age under section 39? Or would someone have the choice (read need to sign) for requesting the lumpsum or monthly pension at retirement age? Also what would happen if you did so? I heard some people saying once they took the lumpsum, they were cut-out from the medical benefits as well...

Thanks again, 

FB

On 10/29/2025 at 6:23 AM, scorecard said:

The foreigner must also give the SSO a copy of the yellow Tabien Baan (TB) book with their name in the book, plus a copy of the pink card the member is holding.

 

Ughhh.... guess I wont be continuing after retirement then.

10 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

Ughhh.... guess I wont be continuing after retirement then.

 

You can apply at the local district office. It isn't difficult to get unless the staff want some under the table money as they did at my office. I think it costs 200 baht (or something like that) . I paid 5000 although he asked for 10,000.

14 minutes ago, petedk said:

 

You can apply at the local district office. It isn't difficult to get unless the staff want some under the table money as they did at my office. I think it costs 200 baht (or something like that) . I paid 5000 although he asked for 10,000.

Apply for what at the local district office ?

oh. The pink ID card and yellow book. 

On 10/29/2025 at 6:37 AM, FruitPudding said:

Yeah, but I think without yellow housework or pink ID card, you can't pay in after retiring, so then you lose health care benefit 

What I shared is accurate.

 

Please note, after retiring the SSO member can just withdraw or within six months of retiring advise the SSO that they wish change to self-funded membership (Article 39 of the SSO act), which means that they retain their injury and sickness benefits. 

 

As above this is labelled as self-funded, meaning that the member pays the membetship contribution fees (432Baht per month), direct to the SSO. This is achieved by most members by giving ghe SSO a personal Thai savings bank account number and the SSO does an automatic withdrawal from that account late evening on the 15th of each month. 

If the 15th is a Sat or Sun or public holiday the auto withdrawal by the SSO delays until the next working day. In other words from the date of changing to self-funded the original employer is no longer involved in member payments.

Also note self-funded can continue for all of life. 

I have previously asked the SSO what happens if a member retired, wants to change to self-funded but has no yellow book or pink card.

The response from the SSO officer (on the 1506 hotline) was that the SSO can generally work out a way around this.

I have an old buddy from abroad who was advised to tell the SSO he wanted to charge to self-funded and he should go into his Thai bank on the 15th of every month and make a payment of 432Baht into a nominated SSO bank account.  

Seems to me that there are ways to get around any difficulties. 

Just now, scorecard said:

What I shared is accurate.

 

Please note, after retiring the SSO member can just withdraw or within six months of retiring advise the SSO that they wish change to self-funded membership (Article 39 of the SSO act), which means that they retain their injury and sickness benefits. 

 

As above this is labelled as self-funded, meaning that the member pays the membetship contribution fees (432Baht per month), direct to the SSO. This is achieved by most members by giving ghe SSO a personal Thai savings bank account number and the SSO does an automatic withdrawal from that account late evening on the 15th of each month. 

If the 15th is a Sat or Sun or public holiday the auto withdrawal by the SSO delays until the next working day. In other words from the date of changing to self-funded the original employer is no longer involved in member payments.

Also note self-funded can continue for all of life. 

I have previously asked the SSO what happens if a member retired, wants to change to self-funded but has no yellow book or pink card.

The response from the SSO officer (on the 1506 hotline) was that the SSO can generally work out a way around this.

I have an old buddy from abroad who was advised to tell the SSO he wanted to charge to self-funded and he should go into his Thai bank on the 15th of every month and make a payment of 432Baht into a nominated SSO bank account.  

Seems to me that there are ways to get around any difficulties. Every farang who is a Thai Permanent Resident or is on a long-stay visa must be entered into one of the several different coloured Tabien Baan books. Perhaps this can be the negotiated to be acceptable by the SSO. Also PR holders and foreigners on long-stay person visas would (from my understanding) qualify that person to receive a pink card. Also, nowadays actually getting a pink card card issued at the local Amphur office is not difficult.