The Ministry of Health said it had received recommendations from voters in Lam Dong province before the 10th session of the 15th National Assembly. Accordingly, voters reflected that according to current regulations, elderly people are Vietnamese citizens aged 60 and over.
On that basis, voters proposed that the Government consider supporting policies for people aged 60 and over to receive monthly social pension benefits, similar to groups of beneficiaries under Clause 1, Article 21 of the Law on Social Insurance 2024.
After studying recommendations and reviewing relevant regulations, the Ministry of Health said that in the past, the Government has repeatedly issued documents to lower the age and increase social allowances for the elderly.
Decree No. 30/2002/ND-CP dated March 26, 2002 stipulates that elderly people aged 90 and over are entitled to social allowances; Decree No. 67/2007/ND-CP dated April 13, 2007 continues to reduce their age to 85.
Decree No. 06/2011/ND-CP dated January 14, 2011 detailing and guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on the Elderly, thereby reducing the age of receiving social benefits to 80 years old for the elderly without state pensions or social benefits.
On March 15, 2021, the Government issued Decree No. 20/2021/ND-CP on social assistance policies for social protection beneficiaries, expanding the number of beneficiaries of monthly social allowances to the elderly from 75 to under 80 years old in poor households, near-poor households, living in communes and villages in ethnic minority and mountainous areas with special difficulties.
On June 30, 2025, the Government issued Decree No. 176/2025/ND-CP detailing and guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Social Insurance on social pension benefits, accordingly, from July 1, 2025, the elderly will enjoy social pension benefits.
lowering the age and expanding the beneficiaries of social allowance and social pension policies for the elderly is a great effort of the Party and State, in the context of many budget difficulties, demonstrating deep concern for social security work.
The Ministry of Health acknowledges the recommendations of voters to coordinate with relevant ministries and branches to research and advise competent authorities to continue perfecting policies for the elderly in the coming time.
