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<h1>Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Asia and the Pacific, 2010</h1>
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<h1>Hong Kong</h1>
<div class="exchangeRate">Exchange rate: <abbr class="spell">US</abbr>$1.00 = 7.79&nbsp;Hong Kong dollars (<abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$).</div>
<h2>Old Age, Disability, and Survivors</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First and current laws:</span> 1971 (social assistance); 1973 (universal <span class="nobr">old-age</span> and disability allowance); 1988 (universal higher-rate disability allowance); 1993 (comprehensive social security assistance); and 1995 (mandatory provident funds), implemented in 2000.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Universal <span class="nobr">old-age</span> and disability allowances, mandatory occupational benefit (mandatory provident fund schemes), and social assistance (comprehensive social security assistance) system.</p>
<p>Note: Mandatory provident funds in Hong Kong are mandatory occupational funds that are privately run and should not be confused with publicly run national provident funds found in other countries.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Universal allowances and comprehensive social security assistance:</span> All residents of Hong Kong.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Mandatory occupational benefit:</span> All employees under contract for 60&nbsp;days or more (employees in the catering and construction industries who are employed for periods shorter than 60&nbsp;days or are covered on a daily basis) and self-employed persons between ages&nbsp;18 and 65.</p>
<p>Exclusions: Self-employed hawkers; household workers; persons covered by statutory pension plans or provident funds, such as civil servants or teachers; members of occupational retirement plans who are granted exemption certificates; foreign workers in Hong Kong for less than 13&nbsp;months or covered by another country's retirement system.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<h4>Insured person</h4>
<p><span class="h5">Universal allowances and comprehensive social security assistance:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Mandatory occupational benefit:</span> At least 5% of monthly earnings (salary, leave pay, commissions, gratuities, bonuses, and housing allowances). Voluntary additional contributions are permitted.</p>
<p>The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$5,000.</p>
<p>The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$20,000.</p>
<h4>Self-employed person</h4>
<p><span class="h5">Universal allowances and comprehensive social security assistance:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Mandatory occupational benefit:</span> At least 5% of monthly or yearly income. Voluntary additional contributions are permitted.</p>
<p>The minimum earnings used to calculate contributions are <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$5,000 a month.</p>
<p>The maximum earnings used to calculate contributions are <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$20,000 a month.</p>
<h4>Employer</h4>
<p><span class="h5">Universal allowances and comprehensive social security assistance:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Mandatory occupational benefit:</span> At least 5% of monthly payroll (salary, leave pay, commissions, gratuities, bonuses, and housing allowances). Voluntary additional contributions are permitted.</p>
<p>There are no minimum earnings used to calculate contributions.</p>
<p>The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$20,000.</p>
<h4>Government</h4>
<p><span class="h5">Universal allowances and comprehensive social security assistance:</span> The total cost.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Mandatory occupational benefit:</span> None.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<h4><span class="nobr">Old-age</span> pension</h4>
<h5><span class="nobr">Old-age</span> allowance (universal)</h5>
<p>Lower-rate allowance: Persons aged&nbsp;65 to 69 who have resided in Hong Kong for at least 7&nbsp;years (requirement waived if residency was established before January&nbsp;1, 2004), including 1&nbsp;year of continuous residence immediately before claiming the benefit. The allowance is income-tested (monthly income must not exceed <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$6,360 if single or <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$9,940 if married) and asset-tested (assets must not exceed <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$171,000 if single or <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$258,000 if married).</p>
<p>Higher-rate allowance: Persons aged&nbsp;70 or older who have resided in Hong Kong for at least 7&nbsp;years (requirement waived if residency was established before January&nbsp;1, 2004), including 1&nbsp;year of continuous residence immediately before claiming the benefit.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Mandatory occupational benefit (<span class="nobr">old-age</span>):</span> Age&nbsp;65 (men and women).</p>
<p>Early retirement: Age&nbsp;60 (men and women) if ceasing employment permanently. (Funds may be withdrawn before retirement if the member leaves Hong Kong permanently.)</p>
<p><span class="h5"><span class="nobr">Old-age</span> benefit (comprehensive social security assistance):</span> Persons aged&nbsp;60 or older who have resided in Hong Kong for at least 7&nbsp;years (requirement waived if residency was established before January&nbsp;1, 2004). The benefit is income-tested and asset-tested on an individual basis if living alone; if living with other family members, the total income and assets of all family members are taken into account for determining eligibility.</p>
<h4>Disability pension</h4>
<h5>Disability allowance (universal)</h5>
<p>Lower-rate allowance: Persons who have resided in Hong Kong for at least 7&nbsp;years (requirement waived if residency was established before January&nbsp;1, 2004 and for residents younger than age&nbsp;18), including 1&nbsp;year of continuous residence immediately before claiming the benefit. Must be assessed with a 100% loss of earning capacity or assessed as profoundly deaf by the Director of Health or the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (or, in exceptional cases, a registered doctor in a private hospital).</p>
<p>Higher-rate allowance: Persons who have resided in Hong Kong for at least 7&nbsp;years (requirement waived if residency was established before January&nbsp;1, 2004 and for residents younger than age&nbsp;18), including 1&nbsp;year of continuous residence immediately before claiming the benefit. Must require constant attendance of another person to perform daily activities, as assessed by the Director of Health or the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority (or, in exceptional cases, a registered doctor in a private hospital). Must not receive care in a government-owned or subsidized residential institution or Hospital Authority residential medical institution.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Mandatory occupational benefit (disability):</span> Must be assessed with a total and permanent incapacity for work by a registered medical practitioner. Must have ceased employment.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Disability benefit (comprehensive social security assistance):</span> Persons with disabilities who have resided in Hong Kong for at least 7&nbsp;years (requirement waived if residency was established before January&nbsp;1, 2004 and for residents younger than age&nbsp;18). The benefit is income-tested and asset-tested on an individual basis if living alone; if living with other family members, the total income and assets of all family members are taken into account for determining eligibility.</p>
<p>The disability must be assessed by a public medical officer.</p>
<p>Partial disability: The benefit is paid for a person with an assessed degree of disability of 50% or more and the loss of at least 50% but less than 100% of earning capacity.</p>
<p>The benefit is also paid for a work-related disability.</p>
<h4>Survivor pension</h4>
<p><span class="h5">Mandatory occupational benefit (survivors):</span> Paid for the death of the insured before retirement. The benefit is paid to the named survivor.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Burial grant (comprehensive social security assistance):</span> Paid if the deceased received comprehensive social security assistance to the person who paid for the funeral.</p>
<h3><span class="nobr">Old-Age</span> Benefits</h3>
<h4><span class="nobr">Old-age</span> pension</h4>
<p><span class="h5"><span class="nobr">Old-age</span> allowance (universal):</span> <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$1,000 a month is paid.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Mandatory occupational benefit (<span class="nobr">old-age</span>):</span> A lump sum of total employee and employer contributions plus accrued interest is paid.</p>
<p><span class="h5"><span class="nobr">Old-age</span> benefit (comprehensive social security assistance):</span> <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$2,590 to <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$4,420 a month is paid for a person living alone or <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$2,445 to <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$4,050 a month if living with other family members, depending on the recipient's health and need for constant attendance; plus special grants to meet the specific individual needs of recipients.</p>
<h3>Permanent Disability Benefits</h3>
<h4>Disability pension</h4>
<p><span class="h5">Disability allowance (universal):</span> <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$1,280 a month (lower rate) or <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$2,560 a month (higher rate) is paid.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Mandatory occupational benefit (disability):</span> A lump sum of total employee and employer contributions plus accrued interest is paid.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Disability benefit (comprehensive social security assistance):</span> <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$2,200 to <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$4,740 a month is paid for a person living alone or <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$1,990 to <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$4,375 a month if living with other family members, depending on the recipient's age, the assessed degree of disability, and the need for constant attendance; plus special grants to meet the specific individual needs of recipients.</p>
<h3>Survivor Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Mandatory occupational benefit (survivors):</span> A lump sum of total employee and employer contributions plus accrued interest is paid.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Burial grant (comprehensive social security assistance):</span> A lump sum equal to the cost of the funeral is paid, up to <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$11,180.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Universal&nbsp;allowances and comprehensive social security assistance:</span> Social Welfare&nbsp;Department (<a href="https://www.swd.gov.hk">http://www.swd.gov.hk</a>) administers the program.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Mandatory occupational benefits:</span> Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (<abbr class="spell">MPFA</abbr>) (<a href="https://www.mpfa.org.hk">http://www.mpfa.org.hk</a>), under an executive director and an advisory committee, supervises mandatory provident funds. The <abbr class="spell">MPFA</abbr> is responsible for registering provident funds and ensuring that approved trustees administer the provident funds in a prudent manner.</p>
<h2>Sickness and Maternity</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First and current laws:</span> 1968 (employment ordinance) and 1971 (social assistance).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Employer-liability (cash benefits only) and social assistance (comprehensive social security assistance) system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Employer-liability system:</span> All employed persons.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Comprehensive social security assistance:</span> All residents of Hong Kong.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<h4>Insured person</h4>
<p><span class="h5">Employer liability:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Comprehensive social security assistance:</span> None.</p>
<h4>Self-employed person</h4>
<p><span class="h5">Employer liability:</span> Not applicable.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Comprehensive social security assistance:</span> None.</p>
<h4>Employer</h4>
<p><span class="h5">Employer liability:</span> The total cost; provides benefits directly.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Comprehensive social security assistance:</span> None.</p>
<h4>Government</h4>
<p><span class="h5">Employer liability:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Comprehensive social security assistance:</span> The total cost.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Cash sickness benefits (employer liability):</span> Must have at least 1&nbsp;month of continuous employment.</p>
<p>The employee must accumulate a sufficient number of paid sick days. Paid sick days accumulate at the rate of 2&nbsp;days for each complete month of employment during the first 12&nbsp;months of employment and 4&nbsp;days for each month of employment thereafter, up to 120&nbsp;days. The sick leave period must last at least 4&nbsp;consecutive days, and the employee must provide an appropriate medical certificate issued by a registered medical practitioner or dentist.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Cash maternity benefits (employer liability):</span> Must have at least 40&nbsp;weeks of continuous employment. The employee must provide notice to the employer of her intention to take maternity leave after the pregnancy has been confirmed by a registered medical practitioner.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Comprehensive social security assistance:</span> Persons aged&nbsp;15 to 59 who have resided in Hong Kong for at least 7&nbsp;years (requirement waived if residency was established before January&nbsp;1, 2004 or for residents younger than age&nbsp;18) immediately before claiming the benefit. Benefits are income-tested and asset-tested on an individual basis if living alone; if living with other family members, the total income and assets of all family members are taken into account for determining eligibility.</p>
<p>Must be assessed with a limited working capacity or as incapable of work by a public medical officer.</p>
<h3>Sickness and Maternity Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Sickness benefit (employer liability):</span> The benefit is 80% of the employee's normal earnings and is paid for the number of paid sick days accumulated by the employee.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Maternity benefit (employer liability):</span> The benefit is 80% of the employee's normal earnings and is paid for 10&nbsp;weeks. The benefit is paid from 2 to 4&nbsp;weeks before the expected date of childbirth or from the date of childbirth if it occurs earlier.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Comprehensive social security assistance:</span> <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$2,200 a month is paid for a person living alone or <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$1,990 a month if living with other family members; plus special grants to meet the specific individual needs of recipients.</p>
<h3>Workers' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Medical benefits (comprehensive social security assistance):</span> Free medical treatment is provided in public hospitals and clinics.</p>
<h3>Dependents' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Medical benefits for dependents (comprehensive social security assistance):</span> Free medical treatment is provided in public hospitals and clinics.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Employer liability:</span> Labour Department (<a href="https://www.labour.gov.hk/">http://www.labour.gov.hk</a>) administers the program.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Comprehensive social security assistance:</span> Social Welfare Department (<a href="https://www.swd.gov.hk">http://www.swd.gov.hk</a>) administers the program.</p>
<h2>Work Injury</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First and current law:</span> 1953 (employee's compensation ordinance).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Employer-liability system, involving compulsory insurance with private carriers.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>Employees including household workers, agricultural employees, and crew members of Hong Kong ships.</p>
<p>Exclusions: Home-based workers, family helpers, certain casual employees, and self-employed persons.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> Not applicable.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> The total cost of the employer-liability program. (The minimum coverage is <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$100&nbsp;million for employers with up to 200&nbsp;employees or <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$200&nbsp;million for employers with more than 200&nbsp;employees.)</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> None.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Work injury benefits:</span> There is no minimum qualifying period.</p>
<h3>Temporary Disability Benefits</h3>
<p>The benefit is 80% of the difference between the employee's monthly earnings before and after the accident. The benefit is paid for up to 36&nbsp;months, after which a disability is considered permanent.</p>
<p>The employee's monthly earnings used to calculate benefits are the earnings in the month immediately before the accident or average monthly earnings in the last 12&nbsp;months before the accident, whichever is higher.</p>
<p>A registered medical practitioner or an Employees' Compensation Assessment Board appointed by the Commissioner for Labor must assess the incapacity for work.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Employees' monthly earnings are adjusted according to the average rate of earnings increase of employees in similar employment with the same employer or, in the absence of such employees, according to the rate of increase in the consumer price index at the end of each <span class="nobr">12-month</span> period of a temporary disability benefit receipt.</p>
<h3>Permanent Disability Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Permanent disability grant:</span> For a total disability (100%), a lump sum is paid of 48&nbsp;months of earnings if aged&nbsp;56 or older; 72&nbsp;months of earnings if aged&nbsp;40 but younger than age&nbsp;56; or 96&nbsp;months of earnings if younger than age&nbsp;40.</p>
<p>The insured's earnings used to calculate benefits are the earnings in the month immediately before the accident or average monthly earnings in the last 12&nbsp;months before the accident, whichever is higher.</p>
<p>The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate benefits are <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$21,500 (August&nbsp;2010).</p>
<p>The minimum lump sum for a permanent total disability is <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$352,000 (August&nbsp;2010), regardless of age.</p>
<p>The maximum lump sum for a permanent total disability is <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$1,032,000 (August&nbsp;2010) if aged&nbsp;56 or older; <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$1,548,000 (August&nbsp;2010) if aged&nbsp;40 to 55; or <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$2,064,000 (August&nbsp;2010) if younger than age&nbsp;40.</p>
<p>Partial disability: A percentage of the full benefit is paid according to the assessed degree of disability and a schedule in law.</p>
<p>Constant-attendance supplement: The actual cost of constant attendance, up to <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$422,000 (August&nbsp;2010), is paid as a lump sum or as periodic payments for up to 2&nbsp;years.</p>
<p>The degree of disability is assessed by an Employees' Compensation Assessment Board appointed by the Commissioner for Labor.</p>
<h3>Workers' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p>Examination and treatment by a registered medical practitioner including dental care, physiotherapy and chiropractic services, and appliances.</p>
<p>The maximum limits on employers' liability for treatment costs are <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$200 a day for in-patient care or outpatient care, or <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$280 if both types of care are needed during the same day. The maximum limit for appliances is initially <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$33,000; <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$100,000 for subsequent repair and renewal of the appliance.</p>
<h3>Survivor Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Survivor grant:</span> A lump sum is paid of 36&nbsp;months of the deceased's earnings if the deceased was aged&nbsp;56 or older; 60&nbsp;months of earnings if aged&nbsp;40 to 55; or 84&nbsp;months of earnings if younger than age&nbsp;40.</p>
<p>The deceased's earnings used to calculate benefits are earnings in the month immediately before the accident or average monthly earnings in the last 12&nbsp;months before the accident, whichever is higher.</p>
<p>The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate benefits are <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$21,500 (August&nbsp;2010).</p>
<p>The minimum lump sum is <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$310,000 (August&nbsp;2010), regardless of age.</p>
<p>The maximum lump sum is <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$774,000 (August&nbsp;2010) if the deceased was aged&nbsp;56 or older; <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$1,290,000 (August&nbsp;2010) if aged&nbsp;40 to 55; or <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$1,806,000 (August&nbsp;2010) if younger than age&nbsp;40.</p>
<p>Eligible survivors are the deceased's spouse, children, parents, grandparents, and other family members who had been living with the deceased for at least 24&nbsp;months immediately before the accident. The grant is split among eligible survivors. The amount depends on the number and type of eligible survivors (with spouse and children receiving the major share of the benefit in all cases). If the only survivors are the spouse and children, the spouse receives 50% of the grant and the children share the remaining 50% in equal amounts.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Funeral grant:</span> A lump sum is paid to the person who paid for the funeral, up to <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$35,000.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Labour Department (<a href="https://www.labour.gov.hk/">http://www.labour.gov.hk</a>) administers the employer-liability program.</p>
<p>Employers purchase insurance policies with private insurance carriers.</p>
<h2>Unemployment</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First and current law:</span> 1977.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social assistance (comprehensive social security assistance) system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>All residents of Hong Kong.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> The total cost.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Comprehensive social security assistance (unemployment):</span> Persons from ages&nbsp;15 to 59 with at least 7&nbsp;years of residence (requirement waived if residency was established before January&nbsp;1, 2004 and for residents younger than age&nbsp;18) before claiming the benefit. Benefits are income-tested and asset-tested on an individual basis if living alone; if living with other family members, the total income and assets of all family members are taken into account for determining eligibility.</p>
<p>Recipients must be capable of work, actively seeking <span class="nobr">full-time</span> jobs, and participating in the Support for Self-reliance Scheme of the Social Welfare Department.</p>
<h3>Unemployment Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Comprehensive social security assistance (unemployment):</span> <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$1,830 a month for a person living alone or <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$1,315 to <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$1,630 a month if living with other family members, depending on the number of family members; plus special grants to meet the specific individual needs of recipients.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Social Welfare Department (<a href="https://www.swd.gov.hk">http://www.swd.gov.hk</a>) administers the program.</p>
<h2>Family Allowances</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First and current law:</span> 1971 (social assistance).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social assistance (comprehensive social security assistance) system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>All residents of Hong Kong.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> The total cost.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Comprehensive social security assistance (family):</span> Persons who have resided in Hong Kong for at least 7&nbsp;years (requirement waived if residency was established before January&nbsp;1, 2004 and for residents younger than age&nbsp;18) before claiming the benefit. Benefits are income-tested and asset-tested on an individual basis if living alone; if living with other family members, the total income and assets of all family members are taken into account for determining eligibility.</p>
<h3>Family Allowance Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Comprehensive social security assistance (family):</span> From <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$1,315 to <abbr class="spell">HK</abbr>$1,990 a month, depending on the number of family members; plus special grants to meet the specific individual needs of recipients.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Social Welfare Department (<a href="https://www.swd.gov.hk">http://www.swd.gov.hk</a>) administers the program.</p>
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