Pensioners are not marginalized through salary raises

28/10/2019 04:00 PM


In the online exchange program "Benefits of participating in social insurance" organized by Nhân Dân Newspaper in coordination with Vietnam Social Security over the weekend, some readers sent the questions that: Pensioners are disadvantaged through salary increases.

Answering this question, Mr. Tran Hai Nam - Deputy Director of Department of Social Security (Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs) said: According to the Law on Social Insurance in 2014, pensions are adjusted based on the increase of the consumer price index and economic growth, consistent with the state budget and social insurance fund.

In recent years, with the implementation of the provisions of the Law on Social Insurance and the National Assembly's Resolutions on the allocation of annual State budget estimates, it can be seen that pensions are often adjusted to increase with the salary growth rate of incumbents (increase with the base rate raises). This adjustment also takes into account labor productivity andliving expenses; Therefore, it is much higher than the consumer price index. It is common practice for countries to raise wages only on a price basis, to ensure value for money when it comes to inflation. But in our country, the pension adjustment policy also takes into account many other factors, which are more beneficial for employees.

Regarding the opinion of readers who say that retirees are disadvantaged when raising salaries, we think of the aspect that the pensioners are making comparisons such as: when making the same adjustment, the people who receive high pensions will get more incremental money with low pension. That may be why readers think there is a disadvantage here.

According to Mr. Nam, whether the pension of the retiree is high or low depends on the contribution rate and contribution period of the employee. In inflation, pensions are also devalued due to currency depreciation. At this time, the adjustment of pension based on factors of inflation index, consumer price index in proportion to compensate for the guaranteed pension value is perfectly appropriate.

Particularly for the additional adjustment based on economic growth, Mr. Nam said that there should be fairness for everyone, sharing the added welfare on the basis of economic growth.

Currently, the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs is cooperating with other ministries and agencies to assess and complete this policy so that in the coming time, there will be basis for implementation./.

VSS