讀後心得

Taiwan is entering a super-aged society while simultaneously facing a wave of retirements. Workers can receive retirement benefits through "Labor Insurance Old Age Benefits" and "Occupational Pension," but if they re-enter the workforce after retirement, they can also apply for "Continued Pension Withdrawal," with no age restrictions, allowing them to receive both a salary and retirement benefits at the same time. Workers over 60 can receive their pension and continue working, and employers must still contribute 6% of their salary to the individual's retirement account each month, with the option to apply for continued pension withdrawal once a year. Currently, the average annual amount each worker can receive is about NT$66,000. Note that if one does not apply within 10 years, the right to receive benefits will be lost. If retirement benefits are subject to seizure, workers can apply to open a financial account to protect their pension from being seized.

Taiwan has entered a super-aged society, and with it comes a wave of retirements. The retirement funds for workers mainly come from the "Labor Insurance Old-age Benefit" and "Labor Retirement Fund," but many people are unaware that if they return to work after retirement, they can also apply for "Continued Retirement Fund." This can be applied for alongside labor insurance and labor retirement with no age restrictions, meaning individuals can actually receive both salaries and retirement benefits simultaneously.

There are no age restrictions on the "Continued Retirement Fund" for those who re-employ after retirement. Workers have worked hard for decades to be able to enjoy their own second life. According to the current labor insurance system, workers can receive both the "Labor Insurance Old-age Benefit" and "Labor Retirement Fund," but many choose to return to the workforce due to living necessities or personal choices. So, how should retirement funds be managed in this case?

According to the Labor Insurance Bureau, when workers turn 60 and claim the Labor Insurance Old-age Benefit and Labor Retirement Fund, if they continue or re-employ, employers are still required to contribute 6% of the monthly salary to the worker's individual retirement fund account, and the working years that are contributed need to be recalculated. Workers can then apply for the "Continued Retirement Fund," which also has no age restrictions. In other words, in addition to the salary they can receive, their retirement fund account will continue to grow.

However, workers can only claim the "Continued Retirement Fund" once per year, meaning the claims for the two retirement funds must be spaced one year apart. For example, if a worker claims retirement benefits on January 15, 2024, they must wait until January 15, 2025, to apply for the "Continued Retirement Fund." According to statistics from the Labor Insurance Bureau, in 2023, the average amount each worker could claim per year was approximately 66,218 NT dollars, with the maximum claim age exceeding 90 years, indicating that many older individuals are still working and benefiting from this policy.

The "Continued Retirement Fund" is applicable to workers who are 60 years old and above and who continue to work after claiming retirement benefits. The following are the application methods for the "Continued Retirement Fund":

• Online Application: Use a citizen digital certificate (must be equipped with a card reader) to log in to the "Labor Insurance Bureau e-Service System" and select "Retirement/Labor Retirement Fund Application."
• Add the Labor Insurance Bureau as a LINE friend: Search for "＠bligovtw" or the official account "Labor Ministry Labor Insurance Bureau" on LINE to add as a friend, and after verification, you can connect to the "Labor Insurance Bureau e-Service System."
• Paper Application: Fill out the "Labor Retirement Fund Application Form and Receipt" and send it to the Labor Insurance Bureau for processing.
• In-Person Application: Fill out the "Labor Retirement Fund Application Form and Receipt" and apply to the Labor Insurance Bureau in person.

In addition, the Labor Insurance Bureau reminds workers to pay attention to their rights: when applying for the "Continued Retirement Fund," it must be submitted personally by the worker and does not require processing through their business unit or employer. The eligible date for applying for the "Continued Retirement Fund" (aged 60 and above) starts counting from that date, and if not applied for within 10 years, the right to claim it will be lost.

At the same time, if a worker faces debt issues, their retirement funds entering a bank account may be subject to seizure. In this case, they can apply to the Labor Insurance Bureau for the establishment of a financial special account. The worker must bring proof documents, identification card, additional documents, and seal to a land bank or post office to request the establishment of the special account to deposit retirement funds. The deposits in this special account are protected from offsetting, seizing, providing guarantees, or compulsory execution and are specifically intended for living expenses after retirement.