Social security and labor migration in ASEAN

This policy brief takes a preliminary look at portability of social security in ASEAN, particularly old-age, retirement, and survivor benefits. Portability of social security affects key decisions of migrant workers, for example whether to retire early and where to spend their retirement—in their home or host country. Social security portability also has important economic implications for host and home countries. If labor-receiving countries are keen to see foreign workers go back home, portability of social security would help facilitate such a politically desirable outcome. Labor-sending countries also benefit from circular migration flows through enhanced human capital of and increased investments from returning migrants. With portable social security returning migrants minimize the burdens on their home countries’ social services. Significantly, for regions that aim at deeper economic integration like the ASEAN, social security portability can facilitate a more orderly labor movement within the region, foment greater social cohesion and more “buy-in” for the integration efforts.