National Pension Benefits Expected to Increase, Minimum NT$5,000 Monthly for Seniors

National Pension benefits are expected to increase. The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) announced today that it plans to raise the basic amount of National Pension benefits by 23.5%. This adjustment will ensure that homemakers not covered by other social insurance schemes, such as civil servant, labor, or farmer insurance, will receive at least NT$5,000 per month after reaching age 65. The bill is currently under review in the Legislative Yuan. President Lai Ching-te, while visiting the Wangling Temple in Chiayi City this morning, mentioned in a speech on welfare policies: "Starting next year, there will be a monthly growth allowance of NT$5,000 for children aged 0 to 18. Farmers will receive a monthly allowance of NT$10,000. For those not covered by civil servant, labor, or farmer insurance, and who are only enrolled in the National Pension, such as homemakers, they will receive at least NT$5,000 per month." Regarding the National Pension, MOHW Deputy Minister Lu Chien-te explained to the media this afternoon that homemakers are considered National Pension insured because they do not participate in any occupational social insurance. Lu stated, "In the Executive Yuan's version of the National Pension amendment, the MOHW has planned to increase benefits by 23.5%, guaranteeing a minimum of NT$5,000 per month. This is currently being deliberated in the Legislative Yuan. Once the amendment passes, homemakers will be entitled to at least NT$5,000 in old-age pension after age 65." Chang Yu-hsuan, Director of the Department of Social Insurance, clarified, "What is being discussed is the old-age pension benefit, which is unrelated to other items like childbirth subsidies. Since the National Pension has a basic guarantee, the government adjusts it according to socio-economic conditions. Therefore, we are planning to raise the benefit level to strengthen protection for those not covered by occupational social insurance." Chang added, "The rumored 'additional NT$5,000 for homemakers' is essentially a National Pension old-age guarantee measure, not a new subsidy. According to regulations, one must be at least 65 years old to claim it, and the plan can only be implemented after Legislative Yuan approval and budget passage."