As of December 31, 2019, more than 15.7 million people had signed up for social insurance, accounting for 32.3 per cent of the country’s working-age population, including 15.2 million participants of compulsory social insurance and nearly 574,000 participants of voluntary social insurance.

Since Resolution No 28-NQ/TW was issued, the number of voluntary social insurance participants has witnessed an increase. In 2018, there were more than 277,000 participants, rising by over 52,900 people, equivalent to 23.6 per cent compared to 2017. In 2019, the number reached 574,00, increasing by 296,700 people – about 107.1 per cent compared to 2018 and accounting for 1.17 per cent of the national workforce. The number of new voluntary social insurance participants in 2019 was equal to the total number of those in 11 previous years.

Explaining the results, Vietnam Social Security said in terms of policy, all Vietnamese nationals from the age of 15 can take part in voluntary social insurance. There are diverse and flexible payment methods and periods; participants can pay for 12 months or up to five years at one time. Regulations on income level as a basis for voluntary social insurance payment were adjusted with the minimum level equal to the current poverty line of rural areas – VNĐ700,000 per month. Before 2016, the basis was equal to common minimum wage or base salary.

From January 1, 2018, voluntary social insurance participants have insurance premium supported by the Government based on the poverty line of rural areas. Local authorities have established task forces to boost the number of social insurance participants. Mass media and social networks such as Zalo, Facebook or YouTube are utilised to raise social awareness of social insurance policies.

The allocation of development targets at the beginning of the year helps provincial and district social insurance agencies take the initiative in formulating implementation plans and assigning targets of voluntary social insurance participants development to each agent.

Administrative procedures have been simplified. Online administrative procedures have been improved to save time and costs for participants.

More than 14,000 conferences were hosted in 2019 by Vietnam Social Security in collaboration with Viet Nam Post to encourage workers of the informal economy participate in voluntary social insurance, helping to increase by more than 276,000 participants.

The network of agents and collaborators has been expanded. There are 12,400 agents, 37,300 payment offices and 52,200 cashiers nationwide, creating favourable conditions for people to sign up for social insurance.

Assessment conferences are held monthly to share information, experiences and discuss solutions to increase voluntary social insurance participation as well as honour organisations and individuals which have made significant contributions in implementing the policy./.