Social pension benefits are specified in detail in the Law on Social Insurance 2024 and Decree No. 176/2025/ND-CP of the Government.
To receive social pension benefits, the following conditions must be met:
- Is a Vietnamese citizen.
- From 75 years old and above.
- Not receiving monthly pension or social insurance allowance; or receiving monthly pension/social insurance allowance but at a level lower than VND 500,000/month.
- Having a written request to receive social pension benefits.
In particular, if Vietnamese citizens are poor or near-poor households according to Government regulations, the age requirement is only from 70 to under 75 years old.
Regarding the benefit level: Currently, the social pension subsidy is 500,000 VND/month. In addition, depending on socio-economic conditions, the ability to balance the budget and mobilize social resources, provinces and cities can decide to provide additional support. In case the beneficiary is also a beneficiary of monthly social allowance, he/she will receive a higher allowance.
To register to receive social pension benefits, eligible people need to follow the following steps:
Step 1: Prepare documents.
Elderly people or relatives prepare "Document requesting social pension benefits" according to Form No. 01 issued with Decree No. 176/ND-CP dated June 30, 2025. Then, fill in the information as requested.
Step 2: Submit the application.
After filling in all the necessary information, the person requesting the document can choose to print and send directly or via postal organization to the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune, ward, or special zone under the province or city where he/she resides. At the same time, the person requesting the document can also send an electronic copy on the network if the locality where they reside has implemented this form of receipt.
Within 10 working days from the date of receipt of the request, the Chairman of the People's Committee at the commune level will organize a review, implementation of authentication and standardization of relevant information of the social pension beneficiary with the national population database.
If the person requesting the application meets the conditions, the Chairman of the People's Committee at the commune level will issue a decision and pay social pension benefits. The period of receiving monthly allowances is calculated from the month in which the Chairman of the People's Committee at the commune level signed the decision.
In case the proposer is not eligible for the right, the Chairman of the People's Committee at the commune level will respond in writing and state the reason.
Some notes:
Regarding transfer to receive allowances: In case the person receiving social pension benefits changes his/her place of residence and proposes to receive social pension benefits at the new place of residence, the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune where the old place of residence decides to stop paying social pension benefits in the area and has a document attached to the relevant documents of the person requesting the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune where the person requesting the new place of residence. The Chairman of the People's Committee of the new commune where he or she resides shall, based on the relevant documents of the person requesting the pension, consider the decision to continue paying social pension benefits and pay social pension benefits from the month of ceasing payment only at the old place of residence.
Regarding the termination of social pension benefits: In case the person receiving social pension benefits dies or is no longer eligible for social pension benefits, the Chairman of the People's Committee at the commune level decides to stop receiving social pension benefits. The time to stop receiving social pension benefits is from the month following the month in which the subject died or was not eligible for social pension benefits.
Regarding funeral cost support: People who are receiving social pension benefits or who have submitted a written request to receive social pension benefits and are eligible for benefits but the Chairman of the People's Committee at the commune level has not issued a decision to receive social pension benefits upon death will be supported for funeral costs according to the level prescribed in Clause 2, Article 11 of Decree No. 20/2021/ND-CP dated March 15, 2021 of the Government regulating social assistance policies for social protection beneficiaries. In case a person is supported with funeral and burial costs as prescribed in many different documents with different levels, he/she will only receive the highest level.
Procedures for implementing funeral cost support: Organizations and individuals shall provide funeral support for subjects with a Declaration of Proposal for funeral cost support according to Form No. 02 issued with Decree No. 176/ND-CP dated June 30, 2025, sent directly or via a post office organization or online to the Chairman of the People's Committee at the commune level. Within 3 working days from the date of receipt of the complete dossier, the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee shall consider and decide to support the funeral cost.
