Social Security Section 39 is another option for people who used to work as full-time employees and want to continue maintaining their Social Security rights after leaving their job.
Many people may wonder whether paying contributions as an insured person under Section 39 is worthwhile, and what benefits they are entitled to. This article summarizes all key benefits and explains how income compensation is calculated when an insured person becomes ill and needs to be hospitalized.
What Is Social Security Section 39?
Social Security Section 39 is a voluntary insurance scheme for people who were previously insured under Section 33, which applies to employees in the formal employment system.
To apply for Section 39, you must meet the following conditions:
- Previously paid contributions as an insured person under Section 33 for at least 12 months
- Left your job no more than 6 months before applying
- Wish to continue maintaining your insured status
Once registered as an insured person under Section 39, you must pay Social Security contributions by yourself at the rate of 432 baht per month.
What Benefits Does Social Security Section 39 Provide?
1. Sickness Benefits
For general illness, insured persons can receive medical treatment at their designated healthcare facility without paying medical expenses.
In the case of emergency illness or accident, if the insured person cannot receive treatment at their designated healthcare facility, the Social Security Office will be responsible for medical expenses according to the applicable conditions.
2. Disability Benefits
For disability cases, the benefits are as follows:
- Government hospitals: No medical expenses
- Private hospitals, outpatient treatment: Reimbursed based on actual expenses, up to 2,000 baht per month
- Private hospitals, inpatient treatment: Reimbursed based on actual expenses, up to 4,000 baht per month
3. Maternity Benefits
Insured persons under Section 39 can receive prenatal care and give birth at any hospital, not limited to the hospital listed on their Social Security card.
The benefits include:
- Maternity delivery benefit: 15,000 baht per delivery, with no limit on the number of deliveries
- Prenatal care benefit: Up to 1,500 baht, effective from 1 January 2021 onwards
- Maternity leave compensation: For female insured persons, 50% of wages for 90 days, available for up to 2 deliveries
Male insured persons can also claim maternity delivery benefits. However, if both husband and wife are insured persons, only one party may exercise the right.
4. Child Allowance
Insured persons are entitled to a child allowance of 800 baht per month per child, from birth until the child reaches 6 years of age.
This benefit is available for up to 3 children at the same time.
5. Old-Age Benefits
When an insured person reaches the age of 55 and has paid the required contributions, they may receive old-age benefits in one of two forms:
Old-Age Pension
This applies to insured persons who have paid contributions for 180 months or more.
They will receive 20% of the average wage over the last 60 months.
If contributions have been paid for more than 180 months, the pension rate increases by 1.5% for every additional 12 months of contributions.
Old-Age Lump Sum
This applies to insured persons who have paid contributions for 12–179 months.
They will receive the total contributions paid by the insured person and employer, together with investment returns.
6. Death Benefits
In the event of death not related to work, an insured person under Section 39 is entitled to:
- Funeral allowance: 50,000 baht
- Death compensation: Based on the contribution period
The death compensation is calculated as follows:
- Contributions paid for 36–119 months: Compensation equal to 2 months of average wages
- Contributions paid for 120 months or more: Compensation equal to 6 months of average wages
How Much Income Compensation Does a Section 39 Insured Person Receive When Hospitalized?
Conditions for Receiving Income Compensation
To receive income compensation, the insured person must have paid contributions for at least 3 months within the 15 months before receiving medical treatment.
The absence from work must also be based on a doctor’s order.
Income Compensation Rate
For Section 39 insured persons, the wage base is fixed as follows:
Section 39 wage base : 4,800 baht/month
Daily wage, divided by 30 days : 160 baht/day
Income compensation, 50% of daily wage : 80 baht/day
Maximum period per claim : 90 days
Maximum period per year : 180 days
Chronic illness case : 365 days
In summary, a Section 39 insured person will receive income compensation of 80 baht per day when hospitalized, which may not be enough to cover actual expenses.
Is 80 Baht per Day Enough?
Although Social Security helps reduce some financial burden, in reality, if you need to stop working for several days or take a long period of recovery, actual expenses may be much higher than the compensation received.
Examples of additional expenses include:
- Transportation costs
- Daily living expenses
- Lost income
- Private hospital room charges
- Medical expenses beyond Social Security coverage
This is why many people start looking for additional health insurance or income compensation insurance.
Add More Peace of Mind with Additional Health Insurance
Having additional health insurance can help increase protection in areas that Social Security may not fully cover, such as:
- Private hospital room charges
- High-limit surgery expenses
- Daily income compensation
- Critical illness treatment expenses
- Better financial planning during recovery
Although Social Security Section 39 still provides important basic protection, having additional coverage can help you live with greater peace of mind in the long term.
Hugs is ready to help compare health insurance and income compensation insurance plans from multiple insurance companies, making it easier for you to choose a plan that fits your budget and lifestyle — so you can be better prepared for life’s uncertainties.