Will Overdeducted Public Pension Be Returned After 2 Years? Li Lai-hsi Posts Obituary: Delayed Justice Is Worthless, Can Your Conscience Rest Easy?

The military and civil servant pension reform (nian gai), which once triggered a political storm, reached a major turning point at the end of 2025. After the Legislative Yuan passed the 'halt pension cuts' bill, approximately 180,000 retired military personnel, civil servants, and educators across Taiwan have recently received 'overdeducted retirement funds' resulting from the recalculation of replacement rates.

Li Lai-hsi, former chairman of the National Civil Servants Association, who has frequently spoken on related issues, posted an obituary on Facebook today (6th), announcing the passing of a fellow anti-reform activist and former colleague. He lamented that the back payment of pension deductions could have been issued immediately, but due to irresponsible parties, "delayed justice is utterly worthless!"

At the end of 2025, the Legislative Yuan passed amendments to the 'Civil Servants Retirement, Dismissal, and Pension Act' and the 'Public School Staff Retirement, Dismissal, and Pension Regulations,' halting the annual reduction of retirement income replacement rates and reverting calculations to the 2023 standard. Although the government has petitioned for constitutional interpretation—whose outcome remains pending—the Ministry of Examination has already begun reissuing the differential payments.

Li recalled that his late colleague, who had actively participated in and financially supported the anti-reform protests, passed away just before their employer began refunding the overdeducted amounts and halting the phased reduction of pension benefits. Upon hearing the news, he said, his mind went blank. "Justice restored too late brings no comfort—it has become a lifelong regret!"

He criticized that justice always comes late, and delayed justice holds no value. "The repayment of overdeducted pension funds could have been issued immediately, but certain parties were unwilling, reluctant, and irresponsible—how many tragedies have thus occurred!"

"The law has its limits," Li emphasized. While a rule-of-law society cannot resolve every issue through legislation, a little more humanity and empathy could have timely alleviated such sorrows. He reiterated that if the overdeducted amounts from 2024 and 2025 are not promptly reimbursed, similar tragedies may recur. "Policymakers! When you wake up at midnight, can your conscience rest easy? Please empathize. Members of the Public Service Protection and Training Commission—will you truly put yourselves in others’ shoes? I doubt it!"

Li also noted on Facebook that while the 2025 pension differentials (January to July) have been credited, the overdeducted amounts from 2024 and 2025 remain unresolved. The next phase of advocacy will focus on terminating the 10-year policy of gradually reducing income replacement rates.

Additional exclusive reports from Feng Media:

- Could military and civil servant pension back payments be reclaimed? Li reveals next steps after tens of thousands in discrepancies are credited—and how the Executive Yuan responded - Can military and civil servant pensions revert to defined benefit systems? A 2023 comparison of old and new pension systems—'the sense of poverty is very strong,' he laments - Is the budget insufficient for pension back payments? After verification, he exposes 'someone is lying': The Executive Yuan’s pursuit order is heartbreaking - Could military and civil servant pensions be increased? Li reveals the next action: The overdeducted annual pension shortfall spans more than just two years