Reader L.V.T asked: "I was born in March 1963, male. I went to work at a company until the end of January 2025 for 10 years and 1 month, in February 2025 I voluntarily paid the 1-time payment method for later years, the number of months is 60 months. As of July 2025, I have paid enough 15 years and 1 month. So am I eligible for retirement and when can I apply for retirement?".
Vietnam Social Security answers this question as follows:
Based on Decree 135/2020/ND-CP stipulating the retirement age for men in 2025 is 61 years and 3 months.
Based on Article 98 of the 2024 Law on Social Insurance, it is stipulated: "Voluntary social insurance participants are entitled to a pension when they reach retirement age as prescribed in Clause 2, Article 169 of the Labor Code and have a social insurance contribution period of 15 years or more".
Based on Article 101 of the 2024 Law on Social Insurance, it is stipulated: "The time of enjoying pensions for subjects specified in Article 98 of this Law is calculated from the first day of the month immediately following the month of meeting the conditions for enjoying pensions as prescribed in Article 98 of this Law".
Thus, at the time of July 2025, he is eligible for retirement age, social insurance participation period and the time to receive a pension starts from August 1, 2025.
