Jakarta. Indonesia's national employment social security agency, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, paid out 2 million Old-Age Security (JHT) claims worth Rp 30 trillion ($1.7 billion) in the first half of 2026, a 22.6% increase from a year earlier, while stressing that the rise was not primarily driven by layoffs.

The increase came despite a wave of job cuts across several industries. However, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan spokesperson Erfan Kurniawan said JHT claims cannot be directly linked to layoffs because the benefit is also available to workers reaching retirement age, those who become permanently disabled, and the beneficiaries of deceased participants.

"It is important to understand that the number of JHT claims is not determined by layoffs alone. Participants or their beneficiaries may also claim the benefit upon retirement, permanent disability or death," Erfan said on Tuesday.

Separately, the agency paid Job Loss Insurance (JKP) benefits totaling Rp 602.67 billion to more than 44,000 workers who lost their jobs during the January-June period.

While the number of JKP beneficiaries declined 3.45% from a year earlier, the total value of benefits paid rose 36%, reflecting an increase in benefit levels under Government Regulation No. 6 of 2025, which raised compensation to 60% of workers' wages for up to six months.

For comparison, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan paid Rp 1.01 trillion in JKP benefits to 90,513 workers throughout 2025.

The agency said it continues to expand digital services for benefit claims. Participants with JHT balances below Rp 15 million who have updated their personal information can submit claims via the Jamsostek Mobile (JMO) application, with payments processed within 5 working days.

Participants with balances exceeding Rp 15 million may file claims through video verification or at BPJS Ketenagakerjaan branch offices, with payments also completed within five working days after all required documents have been verified.

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