Preschool teachers can retire early if they wish
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.
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.
Guidance on streamlining staff for preschool teachers
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.
Over the past time, the Ministry of Home Affairs has received a number of documents from localities asking about the implementation of the policy of streamlining staff for preschool teachers according to Decree 154 of the Government regulating streamlining staff.
Regarding this content, the Ministry of Home Affairs cited 2 specific cases with 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.
