Today's (8/11) Headline News! What Happens If You Don't Pay National Pension? New System Launches – 'These 2 Allowances Increase' / No Labor or National Insurance? You Can Still Get Retirement Benefits – 'Receive 8,000 NTD Monthly Until Death' / Why Is Chang Ching-sen 'Not Afraid of Death'?

Storm Media brings you today’s key news highlights. Starting in 2026 (Year 115 of ROC), the monthly insured amount for the National Pension will be adjusted, with premiums and benefits linked. The increase in maternity benefits is also significant. However, the consequences of long-term non-payment are far more severe than most people imagine—overdue payments exceeding 10 years result in permanent loss of contribution years, and spouses may face penalties. There are nuances regarding back-payment deadlines and eligibility for installment plans, and the calculated payout amounts under Plan A and Plan B at retirement can sometimes differ significantly. Former Executive Yuan official Chang Ching-sen has recently posted strong criticisms on Facebook, calling the high-speed rail extension to Yilan an 'election-driven appendix project' and even threatening to leave his party. This policy strategist, who has long claimed to be 'not afraid of death' since the Chen Shui-bian era, once experienced a period of being 'frozen out' by Su Tseng-chang. His true motivations for publicly clashing with the Lai Qing-te administration now differ from both his own explanations and public interpretations. In July, there was a major reshuffle in the online visibility rankings of county and city mayors. Lu Hsiu-yen and Chen Chi-mai both lost to the same person, whose monthly visibility exceeded 2.52 million mentions—more than double that of June—and topped both positive sentiment and influence rankings. All 22 counties and cities in Taiwan are gradually announcing their Double Ninth Festival elderly gift allowances, with subsidies ranging from 1,000 to 50,000 NTD. Taipei residents must complete online registration by August 14, while Hsinchu County requires a 10-year residency threshold. Missing the application deadline may be considered a waiver. Eligible seniors should confirm their qualifications and collection methods in advance. See full details inside. What happens if you don’t pay National Pension? Starting in 2026, the new National Pension system increases these two allowances—back-payment rules and monthly payout amounts explained. Starting in 2026, the National Pension officially adjusts the monthly insured amount, with premiums and benefits moving in tandem. The one-time maternity and funeral allowances see noticeable increases, with funeral benefits exceeding 100,000 NTD for the first time. Many are concerned: what are the consequences of long-term non-payment? Overdue payments exceeding 10 years lead to permanent loss of contribution years, and spouses may face fines. Back-payment deadlines and installment eligibility have specific rules. The actual monthly payout at retirement varies—under 10, 20, or 30 years of contributions, the difference between Plan A and Plan B can be substantial. In some cases, Plan B may even be more favorable... Click to read the full report. No Labor or National Insurance? You Can Still Get Retirement Benefits! If you're 65 or older and eligible, receive 8,000 NTD monthly until death—payout dates and amounts explained. A fixed monthly payment received until death—many people don’t even know they qualify for this retirement subsidy. The Elder Farmers’ Allowance is specifically designed for grassroots agricultural and fisheries workers. Even if you’ve never paid Labor or National Insurance, as long as you’re 65 or older and meet the agricultural/fisheries association insurance years and residency requirements, you can apply. The current disbursement amount is 8,110 NTD per month. Although the Executive Yuan has proposed a draft to raise it to 10,000 NTD monthly, the legislation hasn’t passed its third reading yet, so the current amount remains. Poverty thresholds, application channels, payout dates, and the full August subsidy disbursement schedule... Click to read the full report. Profile: Why Is Chang Ching-sen 'Not Afraid of Death'? Criticizing the Lai Qing-te Administration, Once 'Frozen' by Su Tseng-chang. Once dubbed the 'Super Policy Advisor,' Chang Ching-sen, over two years after leaving the Executive Yuan, has transformed into the DPP’s most outspoken internal critic—the 'black sheep.' He has posted multiple criticisms on Facebook, calling the HSR Yilan extension an election-driven 'appendix project' and even threatening to quit the party. This policy strategist, who has claimed to be 'not afraid of death' since the Chen Shui-bian era, why has he chosen to publicly break with the Lai Qing-te administration now? What really happened during his 'frozen' period with Su Tseng-chang? His own explanation differs greatly from public interpretation... Click to read the full report. Lu Hsiu-yen and Chen Chi-mai Lost! The County Mayor with the Highest Online Visibility in Taiwan: Cancer Oil Scandal Dominates, High Positive Influence. The cancer oil scandal raged for an entire month, causing a major reshuffle in July’s online visibility rankings for county mayors. Lu Hsiu-yen was at the center of the storm in Taichung, and Chen Chi-mai’s approval rating approached 80%, yet both were surpassed by the same person. According to big data sentiment analysis tools, the top-ranking mayor in July surpassed 2.52 million mentions—more than double June’s count—and also led in positive influence, far outpacing other mayors. Full rankings from first to tenth and detailed visibility data... Click to read the full report. Behind the Scenes: Lai Qing-te Promotes Ministry of National Defense 'Cyber Troops' to General! Taiwan’s Mysterious Military Branch Gets a New CEO. Taiwan’s fourth military branch, the Cyber Security and Communications Command, has always been low-key and mysterious. This time, however, a general promotion ceremony drew public attention. Lai Qing-te personally named Fang Shih-yuan at the ceremony, instructing him to strengthen cyber warfare and information security capabilities. What skills does this behind-the-scenes cyber warfare expert possess that earned him a promotion to general? How did he previously uncover China’s 'red supply chain' infiltrating the government system? How does he carry the burden on the daily invisible battlefield? Full details inside... Click to read the full report. China Airlines 'This Mainland Route' Ends—Even 98% Load Rate Couldn’t Save It. Southern Taiwan’s Flight Options to China Are Shrinking. Kaohsiung to Chongqing was once the highest-load-rate route among Kaohsiung International Airport’s 33 international and cross-strait routes, with a 97.8% figure nearly full. Yet it still couldn’t avoid being removed from the schedule. This was the only Taiwan-based airline route flying directly from southern Taiwan to Chongqing, and it officially ceased operations at the end of July. For travelers planning to go from Kaohsiung to Chongqing, options have indeed decreased. However, a new alternative will launch around late October, with adjusted routes and schedules... Click to read the full report. Was Taiwan 'Downgraded' at the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Memorial? Media Figure Reveals One Move by Lai’s Government That Offended Japan: Koizumi Noticed Something Was Wrong. Controversy erupted over Taiwan’s representative seating at the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Memorial. Taiwan’s representative Li Yi-yang refused to attend, citing national dignity being undermined, and was replaced at a lower level by the Fukuoka Branch Chief. Nagasaki City insists the seating arrangement was the same as last year, with no intentional downgrade. However, media figure Tung Chih-sen offers a different perspective, pointing to a key personnel decision made by Lai Qing-te after taking office, which caused Japan to perceive Taiwan’s status differently. Coupled with Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi’s recent drop in approval ratings and quiet adjustments in Taiwan policy, amid these intersecting dynamics, how exactly did Taiwan reach this situation?... Click to read the full report. 2026 Nationwide Double Ninth Festival Elderly Gift Allowance Is Here! Eligible Seniors Can Receive Up to 50,000 NTD—Payout Dates and Amounts Across 22 Counties and Cities. The Double Ninth Festival is approaching, and all 22 counties and cities in Taiwan are announcing their elderly gift allowances. Subsidies start at 1,000 NTD, with a maximum of 50,000 NTD. Due to varying residency duration, age thresholds, and asset limits across regions, eligible seniors must pay attention to application deadlines and collection methods. For example, in Taipei City, online registration must be completed by August 14 to qualify for the first disbursement on September 1. Hsinchu County has a 10-year residency requirement and asset limits, making conditions relatively strict. Various collection methods—bank transfer, cash, or card—are available. Missing the deadline may be considered a waiver. Confirm eligibility for yourself and your family’s seniors and choose the right collection method... Click to read the full report. 2026 Universal Cash Disbursement Is Coming! Starting August 13, 5,000 NTD per person—'Eligible in One Location, Funds Arrive Automatically.' Disbursement timing, methods, and local government add-ons across Taiwan. The 2026 universal cash disbursement topic is heating up. The central government’s 'National Support Fund 2.0' special bill draft has passed its first reading, but many local governments aren’t waiting—they’re proactively adding extra funds. For example, Sanyi Township in Miaoli County announced a 5,000 NTD living subsidy per person, with disbursement as early as August 13. Seniors aged 65 and above won’t need to go out—the funds will be directly deposited. Whether your county or city is following suit, how much you can receive, and how eligibility is determined—all vary by region, ranging from 3,000 to 10,000 NTD, with different registration deadlines. See the full list and collection methods inside... Click to read the full report.