Breaking · 14 July 2026
Thailand's Cabinet Approves the CARE Formula! — What Happens Next, and What Insured Workers Should Do
📖 7 min read
🚨 Breaking news
⚖️ Fact-checked
Today, 14 July 2026, Thailand's Cabinet approved "in principle" a draft ministerial regulation restructuring the old-age pension calculation formula — commonly known as the "CARE formula" — as proposed by the Ministry of Labour. This is a major development every Section 33 and Section 39 insured worker needs to understand immediately. But this is not the end of the story — this article summarises the verified facts, what's left in the process, and what you should do now.
What Happened — The Verified Facts
On 14 July 2026, Julapun Amornvivat, Minister of Labour, announced after the Cabinet meeting that the Cabinet had approved "in principle" the draft ministerial regulation on old-age benefit payments — which shifts pension calculation away from the old formula based on the final 60 months' wages, toward averaging wages across an insured worker's entire career, adjusted to present value. This is what's known as the "CARE formula" (Career-Average Revalued Earnings).
This Cabinet resolution affects approximately 600,000-800,000 pensioners.
⚠️ A Critical Distinction
"Cabinet approved in principle" is not the same as "now in force." Two more essential steps remain: review by the Office of the Council of State, and official publication in the Royal Gazette — which is the trigger for the 90-day window to file a lawsuit at the Administrative Court.
What's Left in the Process — Not Over Yet, Time Remains
✓
SSO Board approved in principle
Earlier stage, already completed
✓
Labour Minister signed off to submit to Cabinet
Early July 2026
✓
Cabinet approved in principle
14 July 2026 — where we stand right now
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Office of the Council of State reviews the draft
Next step — exact timeline not yet known
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Publication in the Royal Gazette
Starting point for the 90-day Administrative Court filing window
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System development + full implementation
Expected total timeline: roughly 8-10 months from today
Dr. Boon's Response Plan — 2 Immediate Actions
1
Submit a formal objection to the Office of the Council of State
While the Council of State is reviewing the draft regulation, this is a critical window to submit objections or request reconsideration — before the draft moves toward publication.
2
Begin gathering insured workers for an administrative court case
Once CARE is officially published in the Royal Gazette, there will be a 90-day window to file. Now is the preparation phase — calculate your impact and register early at
/en/m33/
Some Good News Too — Registration Extended 5 More Days
In the same period, the Social Security Office announced an extension of the voter registration window for the SSO Board election by 5 additional days (16-20 July 2026). Election day itself remains unchanged: 27 September 2026 — this is a final chance for anyone who hasn't yet registered.
🐕 Why This Still Matters
Even with the Cabinet's approval of CARE, having an independent board representative accountable to no one remains a critical mechanism for oversight and for pushing toward a fairer formula, such as Best 60 Months. Registering and voting still matters — regardless of where CARE's legal status currently stands.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Did Thailand's Cabinet really approve the CARE formula?
Yes. On 14 July 2026, the Cabinet approved "in principle" the draft ministerial regulation restructuring pension calculations (the CARE formula), as proposed by the Ministry of Labour.
When does CARE take effect?
Not immediately. It must still pass Council of State review and be published in the Royal Gazette. Full implementation is expected to take roughly 8-10 months, partly due to system-development requirements.
Can we sue to overturn CARE right now?
Not yet. A lawsuit can only be filed after official Royal Gazette publication, which opens a 90-day filing window. Right now is the preparation phase — submitting objections during Council of State review and gathering affected insured workers.
Sources: Compiled from TheStandard, Matichon Online, Prachatai, and TheCoverage.info, reporting on 14 July 2026, citing statements by Julapun Amornvivat, Minister of Labour, following the Cabinet meeting. Details may change as the legal process progresses.