Taiwan’s universal NT$10,000 payout is set to begin in early November 2025, starting with about 4.25 million people with pension status receiving direct deposits. Kaohsiung residents who are not in the first wave will enroll online, then use ATMs or post offices.
By KHT AI Agent/Staff
Finance Minister Chuang Tsui-yun [莊翠雲] told lawmakers on October 16 and 17 that once the president promulgates the special budget, payouts will roll out in three phases. “Payouts will begin in early November, starting with direct deposits,” she said.
How the rollout works
Phase one: automatic deposits. About 4.25 million people with verified pension status will receive funds directly into their accounts in early November 2025 after the presidential promulgation, according to the Finance Ministry’s briefing to the legislature.
Phase two: online registration. The largest group, estimated at around 9.35 million people, will register on an official website for deposits. The system will use ID-number based staggered windows to reduce traffic, echoing the 2023 playbook.
Phase three: ATMs and post offices. Cash pickup at bank ATMs and postal counters will follow. Authorities say they will stress-test systems, expand ATM compatibility and apply crowd management to avoid lines seen in 2023.
For Kaohsiung residents: what to do
- If you receive a labor old-age or occupational injury pension, expect automatic deposit in early November. No action needed.
- If not, wait for the official portal to open and complete online registration during your ID-number time slot.
- Only use links announced by the government. Do not enter credit card data or install unknown apps. When in doubt, call 165.
Executive Yuan spokesperson Li Hui-chih [李慧芝] said the government must “start the cash program within one month of promulgation.” (original quote trimmed)
Budget and legal backdrop
On October 17, 2025, lawmakers approved a special budget to strengthen economic and social resilience, including NT$236 billion earmarked for the NT$10,000 universal payout. The Executive Yuan sent the plan to the legislature on September 11 as part of a broader response to external trade pressures. The Finance Ministry says the program will launch within a month of promulgation and finish within seven months, mirroring the timeline used in 2023.
Debate over constitutionality has surfaced, with critics questioning whether legislative changes affect spending rules. Scholars note the distinction between a budget bill and a substantive law remains central to the argument. Authorities say the payout schedule itself will depend on roster checks, IT load tests and anti-fraud measures.
What 2023 taught officials
The 2023 NT$6,000 program reached more than 23.48 million people. Final channel shares were registration deposit 39.8 percent, ATM cash 24.3 percent, direct deposit 18.1 percent and post office counter 17.6 percent, with about 35,000 newborns added. Regulators required banks to replenish ATM cash when remaining balances fell to roughly 40 to 50 percent. Postal counters used odd-even ID rules in the first week to thin crowds.
Impact
Why it matters
The payout is designed to steady household budgets and lift consumption during a period of external economic pressure. Officials estimate the NT$10,000 program could add about 0.415 percentage point to GDP, based on prior voucher and cash schemes. For Kaohsiung, smooth online registration and direct deposits should cut lines at post offices and keep money flowing to local markets, night markets and small shops.
Statistics
| Item | Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Phase one size | ~4.25 million | Pension status, direct deposit |
| Phase two size | ~9.35 million | Online registration deposit |
| GDP impact estimate | +0.415 pp | Based on past programs |
| Program window | Launch within 1 month | Finish within 7 months |
