Mr. Bui Tien Truong in Nat Son commune, Phu Tho province said that he has retired according to the regulations in Decree 178 for more than 1 year and has received money according to the staff streamlining policy.
Now he wants to run for the title of village head. However, Mr. Truong wonders, if he is allowed to be a village head, will he have to return the money he received according to the regime or not?
Not only Mr. Truong, many people also sent similar questions on the Ministry of Home Affairs' Information Portal.
Mr. D. T. T said that his father has retired to enjoy benefits according to Decree 178. Currently, Mr. T's father wants to participate in work in the village with positions such as secretary of the Party cell, village head or participate in the Village Fatherland Front Committee. Mr. T asked, in this case, does his father have to return the received money or not.
In another case, Mr. T.V said that he is a non-specialized worker in the commune, resigned under Decree 154 from July 1, 2025 and has received benefits.
Now he wants to hold the title of helper in the village, specifically the head of the Farmers' Association branch, and wonders whether he must return the money he received according to Decree 154 or not?
Answering the above questions, the Ministry of Home Affairs said that Decree 178/2024/ND-CP of the Government does not stipulate that money must be returned in case the person who received the regime then participated in work in the village.
However, for cases implemented according to Decree 154/2025/ND-CP, the decree clearly stipulates the cases where money must be returned.
According to Decree 154/2025/ND-CP, one of the cases where money must be returned is when the streamlined staff are elected and re-recruited into agencies, organizations, and units receiving salaries from the state budget or are arranged to work as non-specialized personnel in villages and residential groups for 60 months (5 years) from the date of streamlining. At that time, the person who has received the allowance must return the money to the agency, organization, and unit that has paid.
For cases under Decree 154/2025/ND-CP, the Ministry of Home Affairs requests people to contact local functional agencies for guidance and specific answers according to regulations.
