Teachers can change their retirement age to a maximum of 10 years
From January 1, 2026, the Law on Teachers officially takes effect. Compared to before, the new regulations are considered more flexible, suitable for the specific characteristics of the profession and each group of teachers.
Article 27 of the Law on Teachers stipulates the retirement regime at a higher age for teachers in public educational institutions as follows:
Subjects who can enjoy retirement benefits at a higher age include teachers with professor, associate professor titles or doctoral degrees and teachers working in specialized and specific industries and fields.
The retirement regime at a higher age is implemented when the educational institution has a need; teachers are healthy enough, voluntary and meet the standards and conditions of the educational institution.
The retirement age at a higher age is regulated as follows:
Not over 5 years old for teachers with a doctorate degree;
Not over 7 years old for teachers holding the title of associate professor;
Not over 10 years old for teachers holding the title of professor.
During the period of implementing the retirement regime at a higher age as prescribed in Clause 3 of this Article, teachers do not hold management positions.
The Government regulates only the process and procedures for retiring at a higher age; retiring at a higher age for teachers in specialized and specific industries and fields.
Kindergarten teachers can retire early, without pension deduction
The retirement age increase roadmap is stipulated in the 2019 Labor Code, applicable to workers in general (including teachers). If retiring at a normal age, from January 1, 2026, female teachers teaching in kindergartens will retire at 57 years old, however, according to the Law on Teachers, kindergarten teachers, if they wish, will be allowed to retire at the age of 52.
Therefore, from 2026, kindergarten teachers (female) from 52 - 56 years old who are working, if they wish, will be allowed to retire.
On June 9, 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an official dispatch guiding the implementation of the policy of streamlining staff for preschool teachers. In this document, the Ministry of Home Affairs mentioned 2 specific cases for preschool teachers.
In the first case, for preschool teachers, the age is no more than 5 years younger than the retirement age in normal working conditions.
In this case, the Ministry of Home Affairs said that the 2025 Law on Teachers has stipulated policies for teachers in preschool education institutions to retire at a maximum of no more than 5 years younger than the retirement age in normal working conditions.
Thus, in the case of preschool teachers who are a minimum of 5 years younger than the retirement age in normal working conditions but wish to retire, they will implement the retirement policy according to the provisions of the law on social insurance.
Therefore, the issue of implementing staff streamlining according to Decree 154 will not be raised for cases that have reached retirement age.
In the second case, for the remaining preschool teachers and belonging to one of the subjects implementing staff streamlining specified in Decree 154, the Ministry of Home Affairs requests the People's Committees of provinces and cities to direct agencies, organizations, units and commune-level People's Committees to consider and resolve staff streamlining policies for preschool teachers according to the provisions of Decree 154.
