From being seen only as a "savings" for old age, voluntary social insurance is gradually becoming a long-term social security option for many freelancers.
After more than 7 years of implementing Resolution 28-NQ/TW on social insurance policy reform, the coverage of voluntary social insurance recorded rapid growth. If in 2018 the whole country had only more than 277 thousand participants, by 2019 it had increased to more than 558 thousand people, equivalent to an increase of 101.3%.
By the end of 2025, the number of people participating in voluntary social insurance reached more than 2.6 million people, an increase of 13.83% compared to 2024, accounting for 5.49% of the working age population.
These figures show that people's awareness of the long-term social security value of social insurance policies is increasingly clear, especially in the context of population aging and the volatile labor market.
Notably, from July 1, 2026, the pension level, social insurance allowances and monthly allowances will be adjusted to increase by an additional 8% according to Decree 162/2026/ND-CP. The continued increase in pensions not only contributes to improving the lives of retirees but also creates more confidence for people participating in social insurance, especially freelance workers.
On May 15, 2026, the Government issued Decree No. 162/2026/ND-CP on adjusting pensions, social insurance allowances and monthly allowances. Accordingly, the Decree stipulates an increase of 8% on the pension and allowance level of June 2026.
The official start time of application is from July 1, 2026.
Many workers believe that the continuous adjustment to increase pensions shows that social insurance policies are increasingly better ensuring the rights of participants in the long term. This is also the reason why many people have changed their minds, choosing to continue participating in voluntary social insurance instead of withdrawing social insurance once.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Dung, born in 1967 (Son Tay ward - Hanoi) is a freelancer. Ms. Dung said that she started participating in voluntary social insurance at the beginning of 2026. "Currently, I have a small business, earning money, so I have participated in voluntary social insurance contributions. I hope that in 15 years, when my health declines and I can no longer do many jobs to earn money, I can gradually rest. Receiving a pension, old age will be more peaceful" - Ms. Dung shared.
Expanding benefits helps voluntary social insurance become increasingly attractive
Along with the pension increase, the 2024 Law on Social Insurance, effective from July 1, 2025, is assessed as a major change to increase the attractiveness of voluntary social insurance.
One of the notable new points is that people participating in voluntary social insurance, in addition to retirement and death benefits, also receive a maternity allowance of 2 million VND for each child born if they pay voluntary social insurance and meet the conditions according to regulations.
In Hoi Quan neighborhood, Tam Son ward, Bac Ninh province, Mr. Phan Viet Tuan is the first male worker to participate in voluntary social insurance and receive maternity benefits when his wife gives birth.
Mr. Tuan said that before, participating in voluntary social insurance was mainly to accumulate for the future, but when he received the support at the right time when his family had a new member, he felt more clearly the practical meaning of the policy.
The allowance not only helps reduce the cost of caring for mother and baby, but also makes me feel really cared for when participating in voluntary social insurance," Mr. Tuan shared.
Not only supplementing maternity benefits, the 2024 Law on Social Insurance also reduces the minimum contribution period to receive a pension from 20 years to 15 years. This regulation opens up more opportunities for older workers or those who have not participated continuously to still be eligible for monthly pensions.
Along with that, the policy of supporting voluntary social insurance contributions from the state budget is also continuing to be raised according to Decree 159/2025/ND-CP.
Accordingly, the support level for poor households and people living in island communes and special zones is increased to 50%; near-poor households increase to 40%; ethnic minorities increase to 30%; other groups increase from 10% to 20%.
Increasing support helps reduce financial pressure on participants, especially unstable self-employed workers.
Digital transformation helps people access policies more conveniently
In addition to perfecting policies, the Vietnam Social Security sector is also promoting administrative procedure reform and digital transformation to create favorable conditions for people to participate and enjoy policies.
By the end of 2025, Vietnam Social Security has provided 84 online public services for all 25 administrative procedures under its authority; 100% of health insurance medical examination and treatment facilities have implemented medical examination and treatment using chip-based citizen identification cards.
Applications such as VssID, VNeID continue to be expanded, allowing people to look up the contribution - benefit process, track the validity of health insurance cards and perform many online procedures right on their phones.
The payment of social insurance benefits and unemployment benefits without cash is also increasingly expanded, contributing to reducing travel time and costs for people.
According to social security experts, in the context of rapid population aging, voluntary social insurance is increasingly affirming its role as a sustainable social security pillar for informal sector workers.
As benefits are increasingly expanded, support levels increase, and pensions continue to be adjusted in the direction of improving the lives of retirees, voluntary social insurance will have more opportunities to develop the number of participants, moving closer to the goal of universal social insurance.
