According to Article 31 of Decree No. 335/2026/ND-CP (Decree regulating social assistance policies) of the Government just issued on August 21, amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No. 176/2025/ND-CP (Decree detailing and guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Social Insurance on social pension benefits).
The Government officially raises the social pension allowance level from 500,000 VND/month to 540,000 VND/month. At the same time, amend the order and procedures for implementing social pension allowances.
According to current regulations, people eligible for pension benefits have a written request for pension benefits sent directly or through a postal organization or on the online environment to the Chairman of the People's Committee of communes, wards, and special zones directly under the province or city where they reside (hereinafter referred to as commune level).
Within 10 working days from the date of receiving the written request for social pension benefits, the Chairman of the Commune-level People's Committee shall organize the consideration, verification and standardization of information, decisions and implement the payment of social pension benefits to the requester.
According to the new regulations (effective from October 5, 2026), people requesting social pension benefits or their guardians have a Declaration form requesting social pension benefits, social pension benefits (according to Form No. 01) sent online at the National Public Service Portal, or through postal services, or submitted directly at any one-stop shop.
Within 7 working days from the date of receipt of the dossier, the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune where he resides shall organize the verification of relevant information; appraise and decide on social pension benefits. The time to receive social pension benefits is from the month the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune signs the decision.
In case the subject does not meet the conditions to enjoy regimes and policies, the Chairman of the Commune-level People's Committee shall respond in writing and clearly state the reason.
In case a person currently receiving social pension benefits changes their place of residence and requests to receive regimes and policies in a new place of residence, the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune where they used to reside decides to terminate the payment of regimes and policies in the area and has a document attached with that person's dossier to the Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune where they newly reside.
The Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune where the new residence is based on the dossier to decide on social pension benefits at the corresponding level applied in the area from the month of termination of payment at the old residence.
In case a person currently receiving social pension benefits dies, or is no longer eligible for social pension benefits, the Chairman of the Commune-level People's Committee shall issue a decision to terminate the enjoyment of social pension benefits.
The retirement period is from the month immediately after the person's death or is not eligible for social pension benefits.
