Implementing Directive 36 of the Prime Minister, Vietnam Social Security has organized the combined payment of monthly pensions and social insurance allowances for February and March in the February 2026 payment period. Early payment and combined payment are implemented to create favorable conditions for more than 3.5 million beneficiaries nationwide to enjoy spring and welcome the Lunar New Year.
However, because February is the combined payment period for the benefits of March, some arising situations need to be handled to ensure proper payment according to regulations.
According to Vietnam Social Security, the recovery only applies to payments that are not in accordance with the actual benefit period, and does not affect other legitimate rights of beneficiaries and their relatives.
Vietnam Social Security clearly states two cases to note:
First, if a person receiving a pension or monthly social insurance allowance dies in February, the social insurance agency will recover the paid amount of March, because this is the month immediately after the beneficiary's death.
Second, in case the beneficiary has passed away before February but the relatives have not yet reported the reduction or have not completed the procedures for interconnected death registration on the data system, the social insurance agency will recover the entire amount paid for both February and March (if the family has received it).
Representatives of Vietnam Social Security affirmed that the recovery is carried out in accordance with the order and regulations of law, in order to ensure transparency and discipline in management and payment from the social insurance fund.
The Social Insurance Agency also emphasized that the recovery activity does not affect the settlement of death benefits. When a person who is receiving a pension or monthly social insurance allowance dies (except for cases of receiving monthly death benefits), eligible relatives are still considered and resolved their rights according to regulations, including: funeral allowance, monthly or one-time death allowance, health insurance card issuance.
For employees who are not eligible for pension and have not reached the age to receive social pension benefits but have passed away, their relatives are still entitled to a one-time social insurance allowance corresponding to the time they participated in social insurance and have not received it.
In order to create maximum convenience for beneficiaries, Vietnam Social Security is implementing three forms of payment in parallel:
Transfer to personal account, complete no later than the 5th of each month.
Cash payment at centralized payment points or post offices, from February 2nd to 25th of each month.
Payment at the place of residence for people aged 80 and over or people who are sick or ill and unable to walk.
Vietnam Social Security recommends that relatives promptly notify when the beneficiary dies, and at the same time coordinate to complete the death registration procedures, report reductions to avoid recovery and ensure that benefits are resolved quickly and fully.
