Notably, people with low benefit levels after adjustment will continue to be compensated to reach the minimum threshold of 3.8 million VND/month, contributing to improving the lives of vulnerable groups.
According to the latest draft, instead of offering many options as before, the Ministry of Home Affairs unanimously proposed a simultaneous increase of 8% on the pension, social insurance allowance and monthly allowance level of June 2026.
Not only stopping at the general increase, the policy also supplements a support mechanism for low pensioners. After an increase of 8%, if the benefit level is still below 3.8 million VND/month, it will be adjusted further:
An additional increase of 300,000 VND/person/month for people with a benefit level equal to or lower than 3.5 million VND/month.
Adjusted to 3.8 million VND/month for people with a benefit level above 3.5 million VND but below 3.8 million VND/month.
Thus, the new "floor" level after adjustment is determined to be 3.8 million VND/month.
Real-world records show that many retirees assess the 8% increase as appropriate in the context of fluctuating prices.
Ms. Nguyen Thi The (Ninh Binh) said that she is currently receiving a pension of more than 4.6 million VND/month. If the proposal is approved, her salary is expected to reach the threshold of 5 million VND.
With 5 million VND per month, Ms. The said that living alone in her hometown is "quite okay", not much to worry about. She expressed her gratitude for the policies of the Party and the State, and did not request an increase higher than the proposed level.
According to her, monthly living expenses are about 1-1.5 million VND for medicine, 1.5 million VND for food, from 500,000 to 1 million VND for feasts, the rest is saved when sick or in need. Thanks to the available vegetable sources in the countryside and lower prices than in the city, the level of 5 million VND is assessed by her as enough for spending and can be saved.
Ms. The assessed that the 8% increase is suitable for recent price fluctuations. However, she still hopes that the State will control the market well to avoid high prices.
Sharing more, according to Ms. The, although pensions have not increased for 2 years, they have increased by 15% in 2024, so she does not feel disadvantaged or greatly affected by life.
Regarding policies, Ms. The agreed with the view of not dividing groups of subjects for adjustment. According to her, it is reasonable for people with high or long-term social insurance contributions to receive high benefits, grouping can reduce the motivation to participate in insurance at a high level or for a long time.
Meanwhile, Mr. Nguyen Phi Khanh said that after nearly 42 years, his pension increased from a very low level to 4.36 million VND/month. He is happy and excited to know that it will continue to be adjusted upwards in the near future.
If it increases by an additional 8%, his pension will be more than 4.7 million VND. However, according to him, this figure is still low, especially for older people who have to support their spouses.
Mr. Khanh shared that he is now 88 years old, both husband and wife live entirely dependent on pensions because they no longer have the health to work. Although the salary increase is very precious, he still hopes the State will consider a higher increase for those who receive low pensions, especially the group who retired before 1995.
According to him, with an amount of more than 4.7 million VND, the couple still has to spend very tightly, in months when many expenses arise or serious illnesses still need support from children.
At the same time, he said that those who receive early pensions have made many contributions in the early stages of building the country, and need to be given more attention.
