Although she is very afraid of time at her old age, Ms. Hoang Thi Hong (75 years old) has never wanted to have a quick July 1 like this year. Because according to the proposal, from July 1, 2025, Ms. Hong will officially receive VND 500,000 in social pension benefits.
Participating in the resistance war against the US to save the country in the last years, Ms. Hong was granted a certificate of merit and a free health insurance card, without any subsidy. With 500,000 VND per month about to be received, although the number is not much, Ms. Hong still cannot hide her joy.
"In the old age, a dong is also precious. With 500,000 VND, I will no longer have to worry about monthly medicine costs" - Ms. Hong said.
If she did not have to spend money on monthly treatment, Ms. Hong shared that she could have spent more comfortably.
It is known that with a small income from buying scrap metal, raising chickens for eggs, and selling pets, Ms. Hong and her husband earn more than 2 million VND per month, and their food expenses are extremely economical of only over 1 million VND.
Ms. Hong also expressed her joy and gratitude when a person without a pension like her was reduced in age to receive social pension benefits from 80 to 75 years old.
"Health is getting worse, income is not much, but illness is getting worse and worse. If we only receive the allowance until we are 80 years old, this waiting time will make us even more worried about our children" - Ms. Hong said.
When he learned that from July 1, 2025, the social pension benefits he is receiving will increase from 360,000 VND to 500,000 VND, Mr. Pham Van Khiem (90 years old, Nam Dinh) could not hide his joy and happiness.
Oging is a burden in every aspect, especially when there is no economy. We do not dare to spend much because after these expenses, we are all supported by our children and grandchildren" - Mr. Khiem said.
Mr. Khiem said that with a subsidy of 500,000 VND, children can have breakfast or electricity, tea, and daily medicine. Although he could not help with the large sums of money, Mr. Khiem still felt some pressure.
Although not increased to 750,000 VND as expected, Mr. Khiem still expressed sympathy and gratitude to the State.
"A country with millions of people aged 75 and over, multiplied by 500,000 VND is also a very large number, so we understand very well" - Mr. Khiem expressed.
In his old age, which does not earn any income, Mr. Khiem always tries to eat in moderation and exercise to maintain his health and avoid disease. He also hopes that the State will create conditions to exempt electricity costs if used under VND100,000/month or support 50% or more.
According to Mr. Khiem, there are necessary costs such as lighting, TV, hot air balloons or fans that cannot be thrown away and still have to be used daily.
The Ministry of Health has just sent the Ministry of Justice for appraisal of the draft Decree detailing and guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Social Insurance effective from July 1, 2025 on social pension benefits.
According to the draft, the beneficiaries of social pension benefits are those who are 75 years old or older and do not receive monthly pension or social insurance benefits, except in cases where they are receiving monthly pension or social insurance benefits lower than the pension benefits prescribed in this decree; have a written request to receive social pension benefits.
Vietnamese citizens aged 70 to under 75 who are poor or near-poor households and meet the above conditions are also entitled to social pension benefits.
From July 1, it is expected that about 1.6 million elderly people will receive monthly social pension benefits at the rate of VND500,000.
