Overview

SOCSO (Social Security Organization), also known as PERKESO (Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial), is a Malaysian government agency that was established to provide social security protections to employees under the Employees’ Social Security Act, 1969.

Functions of SOCSO

The functions of SOCSO are as follows:

  1. Registration of employers and employees
  2. Collection of contributions from employers and employees
  3. Payment of benefits to workers and/or their dependents when tragedy strikes
  4. Provision of physical and vocational rehabilitation benefits
  5. Promotion of awareness of occupational safety and health

Categories

SOCSO has two insurance schemes for its members, the “Employment Injury Scheme” which provides coverage for workplace accidents, and the “Invalidity Scheme” which provides coverage to employees who suffer from invalidity or death due to any cause and not related to their employment.

Members of SOCSO are divided into two categories. The difference between the two SOCSO categories is the coverage of its members. Members of the first category receive coverage under both schemes while in the second category, members receive coverage under the first scheme only.

In PayrollPanda, each employee will automatically be assigned to the correct category based on their age:

Eligibility

Contribution to SOCSO is mandatory for every staff employed under a contract of service or apprenticeship in the private sector and/or any contractual or temporary staff of the Federal/State Government as well as Federal/State Statutory Bodies. The SOCSO contribution rate is capped at a salary of RM6,000.

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FAQs

Some frequently asked questions...

SOCSO, also known as PERKESO in Malay, is a governmental organisation formed to offer social security benefits to employees as outlined in the Employees’ Social Security Act of 1969.

SOCSO is an acronym for “Social Security Organization,” the English equivalent of Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial in Malay, commonly abbreviated as PERKESO.

SOCSO’s key functions include the registration of employers and employees, collection of contributions, payment of benefits during unforeseen events, provision of rehabilitation benefits, and the promotion of awareness in occupational safety and health.

SOCSO offers two insurance schemes to its members:

  • The Employment Injury Scheme, covering workplace accidents, and
  • The Invalidity Scheme, providing coverage for employees facing invalidity or death unrelated to their employment. 

SOCSO members fall into the two categories, with the primary distinction being the scope of coverage. Members in the first category are covered under both schemes, while those in the second category are covered under the Employment Injury Scheme only.

Employer and employee contributions are payable for employees below the age of 60 (first category covered under the Employment Injury and Invalidity Schemes).

Employer contributions only are payable for employees aged 60 and above (or employees aged 55 and above who have never contributed to SOCSO) (second category covered under the Employment Injury Scheme only).

The SOCSO contribution rates depend on the category, and contributions are capped at monthly wages subject to SOCSO of RM 5,000.

From 1 July 2024, foreigners under 60 years old are covered like Malaysians under the Employment Injury Scheme and Invalidity Scheme.

Like Malaysian employees over 60, foreign employees over 60 years old are covered under the Employment Injury Scheme only.

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