LINDUNG 24 Jam 2026: Deadline and Opt-Out Rules

LINDUNG 24 Jam 2026 Deadline and Opt-Out Rules

LINDUNG 24 Jam took effect on 1 June 2026, but the rules for Malaysian employees have changed since. The biggest and most important update is that the participation is now made voluntary for Malaysian employees. This means eligible employees have a choice to remain covered or opt out of the scheme, subject to PERKESO’s requirements and deadlines.

Read here about SOCSO Lindung 24/7: The June 2026 Change.

In this guide, read the main updates employees and employers should know regarding the latest updates.

Is LINDUNG 24 Jam Still Compulsory for Malaysian Employees?

No, participation is now voluntary for Malaysian employees.

Employees who do not want to continue under LINDUNG 24 Jam can submit an opt-out declaration.

Employee Category Participation
Malaysian employees Voluntary
Foreign employees Mandatory

Malaysian employees who take no action will continue participating in the scheme.

What is the LINDUNG 24 Jam Opt-Out Deadline?

For Malaysian employees covered under the current opt-out exercise, the deadline is 31 August 2026. Employees who want to leave the scheme should complete their declaration before this date.

The opt-out option should not be ignored simply because the monthly deduction appears small. Employees should first understand what protection they will give up before making the decision.

Is the June 2026 Contribution Still Payable?

Yes, the June 2026 contribution is still payable, even if you wish to opt out of the scheme.

Although participation was later made voluntary for Malaysian employees, the scheme originally came into effect on 1 June 2026, when participation was mandatory.

As a result, the contribution for June 2026 remains compulsory even for an employee who subsequently decides to opt out.

How Much is the LINDUNG 24 Jam Contribution?

The contribution rate will increase gradually over several phases.
Period Rate Maximum Monthly Contribution
1 June 2026 – 31 May 2028 0.75% RM45
1 June 2028 – 31 May 2031 1.00% RM60
From 1 June 2031 1.25% RM75
Phase 1 will last for the first two years, Phase 2 for the next three years and Phase 3 from sixth year onwards.

The contribution calculation is subject to a maximum wage ceiling of RM6,000. The contribution is generally borne by the employee. An employer may, however, choose to pay it on the employee’s behalf as an additional employment benefit.

What Benefits Do Employees Give Up If They Opt Out?

Employees considering an opt-out should look beyond the monthly deduction. LINDUNG 24 Jam can provide several statutory benefits following an eligible non-work-related accident, including the following:
  • Medical Benefit
  • Temporary Disablement Benefit
  • Permanent Disablement Benefit
  • Constant Attendance Allowance
  • Rehabilitation Benefit
  • Dependants’ Benefit
  • Funeral Benefit
  • Education Benefit
For instance, the Constant Attendance Allowance is RM500 per month for eligible employees who require continuous personal care following severe permanent disablement and the Funeral Benefit is RM3,000, subject to the applicable PERKESO conditions.

Can Employees Rejoin LINDUNG 24 Jam After Opting Out?

Yes, an employee who has opted out within 31st August 2026 may subsequently decide to participate again.

However, rejoining is not necessarily automatic. Employees will still need to follow the procedures and requirements determined by PERKESO at the time of rejoining.

LINDING 24 Jam opt-in opt-out comparison
LINDING 24 Jam Opt-in Opt-out Comparison

What Happens to LINDUNG 24 Jam When an Employee Switches Job?

Participation in the scheme generally follows the employee rather than ending when employment with a particular company ends. This means an employee who remains in LINDUNG 24 Jam and later moves to another company will generally continue participating.

This becomes particularly important where the current employer voluntarily pays the employee’s contribution. A future employer may not offer the same arrangement. The employee may then have to bear the deduction personally.

Do Fresh Graduates and New Employees Have an Opt-Out Period?

Yes, for newly registered employees, including fresh graduates entering employment, the opt-out timeline works differently from the current 31 August 2026 exercise. An employee who does not want to participate may submit an opt-out declaration within 30 days from the employee registration date.

Note: If no declaration is submitted during the opt out window, the employee will automatically continue participating according to PERKESO’s requirements.

For HR teams, this is worth including in the onboarding process so that the employees know that there is a deadline attached to their decision.

How Can Employees Opt Out of LINDUNG 24 Jam?

Employees who decide not to continue can complete PERKESO’s Notis Pelepasan Liabiliti Skim LINDUNG 24 JAM.

There are two ways to submit it:

For an online application, employees generally need to complete the opt-out declaration, acknowledge the effect of withdrawing from the scheme and submit their application through the portal. Employees should keep a copy of their confirmation or opt-out status once the application has been completed – for later use (if required).

What Should Employers Do About the Latest LINDUNG 24 Jam Changes?

Employers do not need to make the participation decision for Malaysian employees, but HR and payroll teams should make sure employees receive clear information about the updated rules and then decide for themselves.

In particular, employers should keep proper track and record of the following:

  • Employees who have opted out
  • Employees who remain under the scheme
  • The 31 August 2026 deadline
  • The 30-day opt-out period for newly registered employees
  • Correct contribution deductions for participating employees
  • Any company arrangement to bear employees’ contributions

Keeping these records clear can also help avoid confusion when employees join, leave or move between employers.

What Are the Key LINDUNG 24 Jam Updates to Remember?

The most important changes are:
  • Participation is now voluntary for Malaysian employees.
  • Foreign employees continue to participate mandatorily.
  • The current opt-out deadline is 31 August 2026.
  • The June 2026 contribution remains payable.
  • Contributions start at 0.75%, subject to the RM6,000 wage ceiling.
  • Employees who opt out may later rejoin subject to PERKESO requirements.
  • Participation generally continues when an employee changes employer.
  • Newly registered employees have a 30-day period to opt out.
For businesses, the main priority now is making sure payroll records reflect each employee’s participation status correctly based on their choice for the scheme. For employees, the key is understanding the opt-out rules before making a decision whether to continue with the scheme.

LINDUNG 24 Jam FAQs

What is SOCSO LINDUNG 24 jam?

SOCSO LINDUNG 24 jam is a scheme that gives protection for eligible employees during non-work-related accidents that happen within Malaysia.

The LINDUNG 24 Jam contribution rate starts at 0.75% of monthly wages from 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2028, subject to a wage ceiling of RM6,000. The rate rises to 1.00% from June 2028 and 1.25% from June 2031.

“LINDUNG” means “protection” in English. So, LINDUNG 24 Jam can be understood as ‘24-hour protection” or “protection around the clock.”

The latest amendment makes LINDUNG 24 Jam voluntary for Malaysian employees. Malaysian employees can opt out between 13 July and 31 August 2026; those who do not opt out will automatically remain covered, while participation remains mandatory for foreign workers.