Many workers worry that serious health decline may cause them to quit early while they have not had enough time to pay social insurance (SI) to receive a pension. However, according to current regulations, reduced working capacity does not mean receiving a pension immediately if they do not meet the conditions on SI participation time.
According to Vietnam Social Security, Decree 159/2025 stipulates that employees with a reduced working capacity of 61% or more are only considered for pension benefits when they simultaneously meet the conditions on social insurance contribution time according to the provisions of law.
Although they cannot receive pensions immediately, workers have many options to ensure long-term benefits. Specifically, they can continue to participate in voluntary social insurance to complete the period of contribution according to regulations and be eligible for monthly pensions; preserve the period of contribution to wait to be eligible for receiving pensions later; or choose to receive one-time social insurance if after 12 months of resignation they do not continue to participate in compulsory social insurance or voluntary social insurance.
Notably, the 2024 Law on Social Insurance has supplemented the monthly allowance regime for people who have reached retirement age but do not yet meet the conditions to receive a pension. Accordingly, people with social insurance contributions of less than 15 years, not receiving one-time social insurance and not preserving the contribution period can choose to receive monthly allowances from the amount already contributed to the social insurance fund.
The allowance level is determined based on the time and social insurance contribution level of the employee, and is not lower than the social pension allowance level. During the time of enjoying the allowance, the beneficiary is also paid health insurance by the state budget.
According to the Social Insurance agency, continuing to participate in voluntary social insurance or preserving the contributed period is a solution to help workers maintain the opportunity to receive pensions and sustainable social security benefits in their old age.
Meanwhile, from July 1, 2026, according to the provisions of Decree 162/2026/ND-CP, pensions and social insurance allowances for those who are receiving them will be adjusted to increase by 8%, contributing to improving income and ensuring life for retirees.
