Universal Pension Scheme
Basic Information
Country
Geographic area
Population group
Elderly persons
Programme Details
Programme objectives
To meet the needs of the increasing elderly population.
Castanas et al. 2016. ‘Leave no one behind: Community-driven urban development in Thailand’, International Institute for Environmental and Development Working Papers, London, <http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/16629IIED.pdf> (accessed 22 May 2018).
Start date
1993
The pension scheme started in 1993 as a targeted programme and was expanded to all elderly citizens in 2009.
Coverage
8,157,175 people (2017)
Thailand’s Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board n.d.. ‘Number and subsistence allowances for the elderly persons with disabilities and persons with AIDS, 1993-2016’, Thailand’s Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board, <http://social.nesdb.go.th/SocialStat/StatReport_Final.aspx?reportid=175&template=1R2C&yeartype=M&subcatid=47> (accessed 22 May 2018).
Programme expenditure
THB 64,770.36 million (2017)
Thailand’s Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board n.d.. ‘Number and subsistence allowances for the elderly persons with disabilities and persons with AIDS, 1993-2016’, Thailand’s Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board, <http://social.nesdb.go.th/SocialStat/StatReport_Final.aspx?reportid=175&template=1R2C&yeartype=M&subcatid=47> (accessed 22 May 2018).
Targeting and eligiblity
Targeting methods
Categorical Targeting
Targeted areas
Nationwide
Target groups
Elderly
Eligibility criteria
All elderly citizens over the age of 60 are eligible, provided that they are not civil servants or permanent government employees. Eligible beneficiaries must register with local authorities and registration happens once a year.
International Labour Organization 2016. ‘Universal persions in Thailand’, International Labour Organization, <http://www.social-protection.org/gimi/gess/RessourcePDF.action?ressource.ressourceId=53962> (accessed 22 May 2018).
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Castanas et al. 2016. ‘Leave no one behind: Community-driven urban development in Thailand’, International Institute for Environmental and Development Working Papers, London, <http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/16629IIED.pdf> (accessed 22 May 2018).
Personal communication
Coverage and other information
Type of benefits
Cash
Amount of benefits
Amount of benefits by age group:
THB 600 per month - 60–69 years
THB 700 per month - 70–79 years
THB 800 per month - 80–89 years
THB 1,000 per month - 90 years and above
Castanas et al. 2016. ‘Leave no one behind: Community-driven urban development in Thailand’, International Institute for Environmental and Development Working Papers, London, <http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/16629IIED.pdf> (accessed 22 May 2018).
Payment/delivery frequency
Monthly
Castanas et al. 2016. ‘Leave no one behind: Community-driven urban development in Thailand’, International Institute for Environmental and Development Working Papers, London, <http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/16629IIED.pdf> (accessed 22 May 2018).
Benefit delivery mechanism
The beneficiary or a proxy registered by local authorities may receive the pension in cash; or have the pension transferred to a bank account. Bank fees may apply if the account is not from the Krungthai Bank.
International Labour Organization 2016. ‘Universal persions in Thailand’, International Labour Organization, <http://www.social-protection.org/gimi/gess/RessourcePDF.action?ressource.ressourceId=53962> (accessed 22 May 2018).
Benefit recipients
Beneficiary themselves or authorized proxy.
International Labour Organization 2016. ‘Universal persions in Thailand’, International Labour Organization, <http://www.social-protection.org/gimi/gess/RessourcePDF.action?ressource.ressourceId=53962> (accessed 22 May 2018).
Minimum and maximum duration of benefits (if any)
Benefits last for the lifetime of beneficiaries.
