The new labor retirement system is being revised and implemented to improve retirement benefits

        Retirement pension is the "capital" of every worker after hard work, and it is also the economic focus of elderly life. In order to make this protection more humane and comprehensive, the Ministry of Labor issued amendments to the "Implementation Rules for the Labor Pension Regulations" on March 25, 2026. These amendments not only provide flexibility in the application process, but also make adjustments to the rights and interests of underage survivors. The following are four key changes introduced one by one.

        Highlight 1: Workers voluntarily contribute to retirement benefits, employers cannot refuse

                In addition to tax savings, the "6% self withdrawal for labor retirement" can also utilize the power of long-term compound interest to turn small money into big money. The new provision further establishes that employers shall not refuse workers' voluntary applications for retirement benefits, and those who fail to comply with the law will face penalties.

        Highlight 2: 30 day hesitation period, there is no problem changing the monthly claim to "one-time claim"

        In the past, when workers applied for retirement benefits, once the "monthly pension" was selected and funding began, it could not be changed. However, considering the possibility of sudden changes in the family's financial situation, the new law has added a "hesitation period". Workers who choose to receive a monthly pension can change it to a "one-time request" within 30 days from the first payment of the pension if they find that a one-time withdrawal is more in line with their needs (such as urgent need for a large amount of medical funds or home purchase planning). However, it should be noted that changes can only be made once in a lifetime and must be submitted within 30 days of the first payment. Before applying, it is necessary to carefully evaluate.

        Highlight 3: Extended protection for underage survivors, with the time limit starting from 'adulthood'

        If a worker unfortunately passes away before or during the period of receiving retirement benefits, according to the original regulations, the surviving family members have the right to receive the balance of the special account, and the time limit for receiving it is 10 years, starting from the day after the worker's death. However, if the surviving family members are young children, they often lose their rights after 10 years due to the negligence or lack of understanding of the law by their guardians.

        The new law extends the 10-year application period for underage survivors (or designated recipients) to the day of adulthood. Even if the child is still young at the time of the incident, it ensures that they can exercise legal recourse and protect their own rights and interests when they reach adulthood.

        Highlight 4: Expanded coverage, special account deposits cannot be offset or seized

        Labor retirement benefits are designed to ensure retirement life, and the original law stipulated that they cannot be transferred, offset, withheld, or used as collateral. This amendment clearly expands the scope of protection from "the worker himself" to "the survivor or designated claimant". In other words, whether this money is in one's own hands or passed down to family members, it can be effectively used for daily life without being enforced by creditors.

        It is recommended that everyone make good use of the "Labor Insurance Bureau Global Information Network" or log in through the "Mobile Service App" with natural person credentials or virtual cards to instantly monitor the status of their retirement account or calculate retirement benefits. As long as we grasp the changes in regulations in advance, we can have more room to plan for the second half of our lives. Let's pay attention to policy trends together and safeguard a more stable and beautiful retirement life! (Reference: Ministry of Labor official website)

        *Image source: freepik