What is social security?
Social security is a safety net funded by contributions from the employee, employer, and government every month, so insured members are protected against risks such as illness, maternity, disability, and old age.
Contribution rates
| Contributor | Rate | Maximum (17,500 baht ceiling) |
|---|---|---|
| Employee | 5% of wages | 875 baht/month |
| Employer | 5% of wages | 875 baht/month |
| Government | 2.75% of wages | 481 baht/month |
Key figures: 7 protected cases · max contribution 875 baht/month · maternity 15,000 baht · funeral grant 50,000 baht · child allowance 1,000 baht/child/month
How much do I pay each month?
| Period | Wage ceiling | Max monthly payment (5%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2569–2571 | 17,500 baht | 875 baht |
| 2572–2574 | 20,000 baht | 1,000 baht |
| 2575 onwards | 23,000 baht | 1,150 baht |
Note: if your wage is below the ceiling, you pay 5% of your actual wage
The 7 benefits (Article 33 members)
- Sickness / accident — Free treatment at your registered hospital + 50% wage compensation up to 8,750 baht/month (3 months of contributions in the last 15) + dental care 900 baht/year
- Maternity — 15,000 baht delivery lump sum + 1,500 baht prenatal + 90 days leave, total compensation around 42,750 baht (5 months in the last 10)
- Disability — 50% wage compensation for the duration (3 months in the last 15)
- Death — 50,000 baht funeral grant + survivor benefits
- Child allowance — 1,000 baht/month/child, up to 3 children until age 6 (7 months in the last 12)
- Old-age — Lifetime pension after 180 months of contributions at age 55 (15+ years) — 20% of average wage + 1.5% per extra year
- Unemployment — Dismissed: 60% of wages for up to 180 days · Resigned: 30% for up to 90 days (6 months in the last 15)
Conditions summary
| Case | Required contributions | Key benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Sickness/accident | 3 in 15 months | Free treatment + 50% compensation |
| Maternity | 5 in 10 months | 15,000 lump sum + 90-day compensation |
| Disability | 3 in 15 months | 50% for duration |
| Death | 3 in 15 months | 50,000 funeral grant |
| Child allowance | 7 in 12 months | 1,000 baht/month, max 3 children |
| Old-age | 180 months + age 55 | Lifetime pension |
| Unemployment | 6 in 15 months | 60% ≤180 days / 30% ≤90 days |
Tip: even if you never get sick, contributions aren't lost — part goes to your old-age savings, with the employer adding another 5% plus fund interest
Article 33 / 39 / 40 — what's the difference?
| Topic | Art. 33 | Art. 39 | Art. 40 |
|---|---|---|---|
| For whom | Company employees (mandatory) | Former employees not yet eligible for payout | Self-employed / voluntary |
| Monthly contribution | 5% of wages, max 875 baht | Fixed 432 baht | Choose 70 / 100 / 300 baht |
| Coverage | 7 cases | 6 cases (no unemployment) | 3–5 cases by tier |
Where to claim / contact SSO
- Hotline 1506 — every day, 24 hours
- SSO Plus app — check benefits, change hospital, view contributions
- LINE @ssothai — enquiries
- www.sso.go.th — official website
Don't forget to check your registered hospital (changeable once a year, January–March) via the SSO Plus app or call 1506