8,050 Baht Pension: New Social Security Conditions, Who Qualifies and How Many Years Must You Contribute?

A detailed look at the 8,050 baht old-age pension following Social Security's plan to raise the maximum salary ceiling to 23,000 baht and the additional benefits workers will gain.

Social Security is set to raise the salary ceiling, pushing the maximum old-age pension to 8,050 baht per month, while also enhancing benefits for unemployment, sickness, and maternity. We have compiled all the details workers building their careers need to know for 2026.

Where does the 8,050 baht pension come from? Why has it increased?

The figure “8,050 baht” has become a hot topic among workers as the highest old-age pension that Section 33 insured persons will receive in the future. This increase results from the Social Security Office’s plan to adjust the "salary ceiling" used to calculate contributions.

Previously, the maximum salary base was 15,000 baht (with a contribution of 750 baht/month) for over 30 years. This is about to be raised to better align with the cost of living, gradually increasing to 23,000 baht by 2030. As the salary base rises, the pension amount upon retirement will also "grow" accordingly.

Timeline for raising the Social Security salary ceiling and monthly contributions.

• Phase 1 (2024-2026): Maximum salary ceiling 17,500 baht, with a maximum deduction of 875 baht/month.
• Phase 2 (2027-2029): Maximum salary ceiling 20,000 baht, with a maximum deduction of 1,000 baht/month.
• Phase 3 (2030 onward): Maximum salary ceiling 23,000 baht, with a maximum deduction of 1,150 baht/month.

Conditions for receiving the 8,050 baht monthly pension.

1. Must be at least 55 years old and the insured status has ended.
2. Must have contributed for a full 25 years (300 months).
3. Have a high salary base: use the increased salary base (for example, 23,000 baht) to calculate contributions and pension.
4. Calculation: Those who contribute for 25 years will receive a pension of about 8,050 baht per month (compared to the previous rate of 5,250 baht for the old base).

Other benefits from the salary ceiling adjustment.

Increasing contributions doesn’t only affect the pension but also benefits "while working," calculated from the new salary base.

From 2026 to 2028, contributing up to 875 baht/month (salary base 17,500 baht) will yield these benefits:

• Sickness benefit: 8,750 baht per month.
• Maternity benefit: 26,250 baht per childbirth.
• Unemployment (dismissal) benefit: 8,750 baht per month.
• Unemployment (resignation) benefit: 5,250 baht per month.
• Pension for 15 years of contributions: 3,500 baht per month.
• Pension for 25 years of contributions: 6,125 baht per month.

From 2029 to 2031, contributing up to 1,000 baht/month (salary base 20,000 baht) will yield these benefits:

• Sickness benefit: 10,000 baht per month.
• Maternity benefit: 30,000 baht per childbirth.
• Unemployment (dismissal) benefit: 10,000 baht per month.
• Unemployment (resignation) benefit: 6,000 baht per month.
• Pension for 15 years of contributions: 4,000 baht per month.
• Pension for 25 years of contributions: 7,000 baht per month.

From 2032 onward, contributing up to 1,150 baht/month (salary base 23,000 baht) will yield these benefits:

• Sickness benefit: 11,500 baht per month.
• Maternity benefit: 34,500 baht per childbirth.
• Unemployment (dismissal) benefit: 11,500 baht per month.
• Unemployment (resignation) benefit: 6,900 baht per month.
• Pension for 15 years of contributions: 4,600 baht per month.
• Pension for 25 years of contributions: 8,050 baht per month.

Although raising the Social Security ceiling to achieve an 8,050 baht pension means monthly deductions will increase by several hundred baht, the broader coverage—including unemployment, sickness, and lifelong monthly pensions—offers a form of mandatory financial planning that provides a safety net for digital-age workers seeking long-term security.