The government is advancing the “3 Requests” initiative to unlock social security retirement funds, allowing insured persons to “choose lump sum payments, withdraw funds in times of crisis, or use funds as loan collateral,” thereby increasing financial options for workers. The proposal is currently under parliamentary review in the legislature.
On 8 November 2026, Captain Phatdarasmit Thongsaluaykorn, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister’s Office, revealed that the government is pushing the “3 Requests” measure—namely “Request to Choose, Request to Withdraw, Request to Borrow”—to increase flexibility in the use of retirement benefits for insured persons. This follows the Cabinet’s approval of the draft Social Security Act (No. ...) B.E. ... on 3 November 2026, as proposed by the Ministry of Labour. The aim is to respond to insured persons’ calls for more options in managing retirement savings and accessing partial funds to alleviate hardship in urgent situations.
The deputy government spokesperson said the core of this measure is that “retirement savings should not only serve as future security but also offer flexibility to support people facing crises.” The draft law establishes three key guidelines:
1. “Request to Choose” lets individuals decide their financial future. Insured persons who have contributed at least 180 months and meet the age or termination of insurance conditions can choose to receive retirement funds as either a monthly pension or a lump sum payment, aligning with their personal needs and life plans.
2. “Request to Withdraw” allows early partial withdrawals in cases of disaster without waiting until retirement age. If a crisis or disaster severely impacts living conditions, insured persons with at least 60 months of contributions can request partial retirement fund withdrawals before the usual eligibility, under conditions set by law, to ease expenses and help sustain life during difficult times.
3. “Request to Borrow” increases access to capital by enabling insured persons with at least 60 months of contributions to use part of their retirement contributions as collateral for loans from financial institutions partnering with the Social Security Office. This provides a legal avenue to access funding options.
The combined use of the “Request to Withdraw” and “Request to Borrow” rights must not exceed 30% of retirement contributions and no more than twice the highest wage calculation base under Section 33, according to established criteria. This balances immediate assistance with financial security for retirement.
The deputy government spokesperson added that the draft law is currently being prepared for consideration by the House of Representatives. He emphasized that the “3 Requests” measures remain under legal amendment, so insured persons cannot yet exercise these new rights. They must wait until the law and related regulations come into effect. The government is committed to promoting a social security system that is flexible, fair, and truly responsive to the needs of workers at every stage of life.