With the voluntary contribution rate now over 20%, 1 in 5 workers are contributing to their pensions! Are you among them?
Voluntary worker pension contributions continue to rise, shaping a new trend in the workplace! According to the latest statistics as of July 2026 released by the Bureau of Labor Insurance (BLI), Ministry of Labor (MOL), the total number of workers contributing to their pension reached 7.866 million. Among them, over 1.583 million workers make voluntary contributions, bringing the voluntary contribution rate to 20.13%, or roughly 1 in every 5 workers. This highlights that more and more workers are making smart use of the voluntary contribution system to build more substantial retirement funds for their future.
The BLI pointed out that on top of the 6% monthly contribution required by law from employers, workers can also voluntarily contribute to their retirement pension within the 6% range of their monthly wages based on their personal financial planning. In recent years, as people have paid increasing attention to retirement financial planning, coupled with strong government promotion, and stable fund returns, the number of workers making voluntary contributions has continued to rise. Statistical data has revealed that as of July 2026, the number of workers making voluntary contributions has grown to over 1.583 million, an increase of 221,888 individuals compared to 2025, reflecting a growth rate of 16.29%. In contrast to the full-year growth rate of 13.99% in 2025, this demonstrates that the surge in workers making voluntary contributions during the first seven months of this year has already surpassed the growth recorded for the whole of 2025.
A deeper analysis of voluntary contributions across age groups shows an expanding participation across all groups, with the number of workers making voluntary contributions growing by 18.20% among workers aged 50 and over, 14.83% for those aged 30 to 49, and 14.79% for those aged 29 and under. Among them, as they approach retirement, senior workers aged 50 and over lead all age groups with a contribution rate of 32.38%. This means roughly 1 in every 3 workers in this age group makes voluntary contributions. It is worth noting that the younger generation’s attitudes toward retirement planning are undergoing a significant shift. The growth rate of voluntary contributions by young workers aged 29 and under has increased significantly compared to previous years, indicating that the younger generation is increasingly aware of the financial concept of “starting early to leverage compound growth over time.”
The BLI emphasized that in addition to enjoying tax savings by having voluntary pension contributions within the 6% range exempted from taxable monthly income, the accumulated earnings are guaranteed to be no lower than the two-year fixed-deposit interest rate. In addition, the New Labor Pension Fund has delivered steady long-term returns, with an average return rate of 8.7% over the past 10 years (2016–2025) and 10.28% over the past 5 years (2021–2025), with performance reaching as high as 24.58% as of July 2026. The earlier workers start voluntary contributions, the more they can leverage the power of compound interest over time, accelerating fund accumulation in their personal accounts, and significantly strengthening their future retirement security.
The BLI reminds the public that if workers or commissioned workers wish to make voluntary pension contributions, they may express their intent to their employer or commissioning unit. The employer or commissioning unit will then submit an application and deduct the contributions directly from their wages (income from professional practice). Employers who actually engage in labor work may have their business entities submit applications and remit contributions. Starting September 1, 2026, self-employed persons can also apply online via the BLI’s e-Service System and make payments via designated account transfers.
With Taiwan’s aging population, the BLI recommends that both early-career workers and senior employees take advantage of the voluntary pension contribution mechanism. By leveraging tax savings, guaranteed returns, and long-term compound growth, the New Labor Pension System can provide solid support for retirement.