New scheme targets social security for all 

All Lao people, including general workers and farmers, who are not government officials or private sector members of the National Social Security Fund will be eligible for benefits under a new scheme.
The Fund has announced the establishment of the Voluntary Social Security Project For All to target people who are not already government or private members of the Fund, affording them access to pensions.
A representative of the Vientiane Provincial Unity Lao Development Bank, Mr Somsawat Vongsay, recently confirmed the details during a workshop on a pilot voluntary social security payment system. 
“It is expected that the pilot project will get off the ground in Vientiane province this year and be a model for Laos,” he said.
At present, many people are struggling to access pensions and become eligible for health checks.
Potential members need to be aged between 15 and 60, have a monthly income of 1.1 million to 2.7 million kip (for new entrants) with the social security fund deducting 9 percent, Mr Somsawat said.
An anonymous official from the National Social Security Fund said the new scheme would improve access to pensions, particularly for those not already in possession of a fund card or related coverage via state employment. All members were expected to benefit from this project.
“We want to create a scheme to help people who still can’t get help from mainstream or other social security funds and who are not government officials,” she said.
Benefits under the Fund include financial support for childbirth, workplace injuries and illnesses, old-age pensions, funeral grants, surviving family benefits, and unemployment benefits.
New members must make voluntary contributions during every month of the year in question, although there are some exceptions.
The maximum ceiling of insurable earnings under the National Social Security Fund framework is five times the minimum wage set by the government and adjusted from time to time under a Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare Decision dated April 25, 2016. 
Articles 55 and 56 of the Social Security Law states that members have to contribute 9 percent of their income to the National Social Security Fund each month.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
(Latest Update October 18, 2019)