Don't Forget to Claim Your Payout! Ministry of Labor Distributes Funds Today — Up to NT$100,000 per Person; Unclaimed Benefits Will Be Forfeited. Full Schedule of 13 Payments Released

According to the Labor Insurance Bureau calendar, three payments will be credited today (20th): National Insurance maternity benefits, Farmer Monthly Retirement Savings, and Elderly Farmer Allowance. Among these, National Insurance maternity benefits have been substantially increased starting this year, with up to NT$100,000 available per birth. For twins, the payout is NT$200,000; for triplets, NT$300,000—amounts scale with the number of babies. The government's share of Farmer Retirement Savings contributions has also been adjusted. The Elderly Farmer Allowance remains at a maximum of NT$8,110 per month. Although a raise to NT$10,000 has been planned, the legislation has not yet passed. Below is a complete overview of eligibility, amounts, and application requirements.

Enhanced Maternity Benefits — Up to NT$100,000 per Birth

Under current Labor Insurance Bureau rules, National Insurance insured individuals who give birth or experience a premature delivery during their coverage period are eligible for maternity benefits if the pregnancy exceeds 20 weeks or the fetus weighs at least 500 grams. Starting January 1, 2026, the government will fully subsidize the difference through public funds, raising the National Insurance maternity benefit to NT$100,000 per birth. For twins, the amount is NT$200,000; for triplets, NT$300,000—scaling cumulatively by number of babies.

Even if an individual has deregistered, they remain eligible if they give birth within one year of deregistration due to the same pregnancy, provided they have not received maternity benefits from Labor Insurance, Farmer Insurance, or other social insurance schemes. However, the right to claim these benefits expires five years from the date they become eligible. Applicants must be mindful of this deadline.

Farmer Retirement Savings Adjustment — Government Share Rises to 60%

The Farmer Retirement Savings system is also undergoing significant changes this year. Starting January 1, 2026, the contribution ratio between farmers and the government will be adjusted to 40% (farmer) and 60% (government). As a result, the Labor Insurance Bureau will automatically refund the 10% overpayment made by farmers between January and May 2026 in August.

Additionally, starting August 1, 2026, the scope of Farmer Insurance will expand. Actual farmers who meet the criteria can now voluntarily contribute to Farmer Retirement Savings, even if they are already enrolled in Labor Insurance or National Insurance. Applicants must generally be under 65 years old, not yet receiving old-age benefits from other social insurance schemes, and meet agricultural operation scale requirements. They also must not have an employer making mandatory Labor Retirement Fund contributions on their behalf. If an employer makes continuous Labor Retirement Fund contributions for six months or more during Farmer Retirement Savings participation, the Farmer Retirement Savings contributions will automatically cease to prevent double benefits.

Elderly Farmer Allowance to Rise to NT$10,000 — Currently Still NT$8,110

The Executive Yuan has approved an amendment to the "Provisional Regulations on Welfare Allowances for Elderly Farmers," planning to raise the full allowance from the current NT$8,110 to NT$10,000 per month. A regular review mechanism will be established—after two years of implementation, if the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has cumulatively increased by 3% or more, a review will be triggered. However, the bill is still under review in the Legislative Yuan and has not yet passed its third reading. Therefore, the current payout remains at NT$8,110 (full) and NT$4,055 (half). Premier Cho Jung-tai stated that if the amendment passes, it will be retroactively effective from July 1.

According to Labor Insurance Bureau rules for the Elderly Farmer Allowance, applicants must be at least 65 years old, have household registration in Taiwan, and have resided in Taiwan for more than 183 days each year over the past three years. Farmers must have accumulated at least 15 years of Farmer Insurance coverage to receive the full NT$8,110. Those who meet transitional provisions with 6 months to less than 15 years of coverage receive half (NT$4,055). Fishermen must have held Class A Fishermen's Association membership for at least 15 years and have received Labor Insurance old-age benefits. Certain government subsidies—such as low-income elderly allowances, disability allowances, and veteran support payments—cannot be received concurrently with the Elderly Farmer Allowance.

Regarding asset and income limits (means-testing), applicants who first apply after January 1, 2013, must meet current thresholds. Annual non-agricultural personal comprehensive income must be under NT$500,000; the combined value of personal land and property must be under NT$5 million. However, farmland, public facility reserved land, farmhouses, non-productive indigenous reserved land, existing public easement roads, and primary residences meeting specified criteria may be excluded as per regulations. The Executive Yuan's amendment proposes raising the income threshold to NT$600,000 and the real estate threshold to NT$10.25 million, but until formal legislation passes, current standards apply.

Eligible individuals can apply in person at local grassroots farmers' or fishermen's associations with their ID, seal, and bankbook. Alternatively, they can apply online via the Labor Insurance Bureau's e-Service System using a natural person certificate or mobile phone authentication. To change the payout account, applicants are generally limited to accounts at farmers' or fishermen's credit departments or post offices. To take effect in the same month, application documents must reach the Labor Insurance Bureau by the 5th of the month.

In the event of a recipient's death, legal heirs must report to the farmers' or fishermen's association within 30 days. Unclaimed payments may be claimed by eligible heirs who submit the required documents. If overpayments occur due to ineligibility, the amount must be returned within 30 days; otherwise, cases may be referred for administrative enforcement.

Schedule of 13 Payments to Be Disbursed in Late August

August 25 (Monday): National Insurance Basic Old-Age Guarantee Pension, National Insurance Indigenous People's Benefit

August 27 (Wednesday): National Insurance Maternity Benefit

August 28 (Thursday): Labor Insurance Pension, Disaster Insurance Pension, Disaster Insurance Disability Care Subsidy, Labor Retirement Monthly Pension (First and Ongoing Payments)

August 31 (Sunday): Wage Subsidy for Prenatal Checkup Leave and Partner Accompaniment Leave, National Insurance Disability Pension with Labor Insurance Service Years Included, National Insurance Old-Age Pension, National Insurance Funeral Benefit, National Insurance Survivor Pension, National Insurance Disability (Basic Guarantee) Pension

Source: "Labor Insurance Bureau Calendar," "Elderly Farmer Allowance," "Maternity Benefit"

Editor: Lin Li