According to statistics from the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, the number of people receiving one-time social insurance has decreased by 17,000 compared to December 2023. This is a very positive sign. When the 2024 Social Insurance Law was passed, the conditions for receiving one-time social insurance became clearer, and policies were introduced to encourage workers to remain in the system to secure future pension benefits, providing them with greater peace of mind—even though the new law will officially take effect on July 1, 2025.

Mr. Pham Truong Giang, Director of the Social Insurance Department (Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs), stated that the option to withdraw one-time social insurance was one of the most debated issues during the drafting of the 2024 Social Insurance Law.

This new law has been supplemented to enhance benefits and encourage workers to stay in the system. Accordingly, workers who have terminated their labor contracts and wish to receive one-time social insurance benefits must meet one of six specific conditions.

For those participating in social insurance before July 1, 2025, their one-time social insurance benefits will still be guaranteed. However, for those joining after this date, the conditions for eligibility will be more restricted, though the option to receive one-time benefits is not entirely eliminated.

“When remaining in the system, workers will receive additional benefits. For example, they can access credit support, receive monthly allowances, and enjoy health insurance coverage funded by the state budget during the period of receiving monthly benefits,” Mr. Giang explained.

He noted that in the past, before these policies were introduced, the number of people withdrawing one-time social insurance had been increasing, particularly toward the end of the year. “There were cases where workers lined up as early as 3-4 AM to withdraw their social insurance in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, and Binh Duong. However, this phenomenon has largely decreased this year,” Mr. Giang said.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen, a 40-year-old worker in Thang Long Industrial Park (Dong Anh District, Hanoi), currently rents a house in Nhué Hamlet, Kim Chung Commune, Dong Anh District, along with her husband and four children.

After working for 13-14 years, her basic salary is 8 million VND per month. Her husband, also a worker, brings their combined household income to 20 million VND per month. However, due to numerous expenses in a foreign city, they can hardly save any money.

She expressed her intent to continue working in Hanoi for now since changing jobs would mean starting over with a basic salary of around 5 million VND per month.

Ms. Huyen stated that if she had to quit or return to her hometown, she would not withdraw her one-time social insurance benefits. “If I withdraw my social insurance, I will only receive about 100 million VND, which will eventually be spent. Meanwhile, if I leave my benefits in the system and continue contributing later, I will be entitled to additional benefits under the new 2024 Social Insurance Law, such as credit support, monthly allowances, and, most importantly, the opportunity to receive a pension in old age, ensuring financial security,” she shared.

Commenting on the situation regarding one-time social insurance withdrawals, Mr. Le Dinh Quang, Deputy Head of the Policy and Legal Affairs Department (Vietnam General Confederation of Labor), emphasized that recent efforts in policy communication and public awareness campaigns regarding social insurance, health insurance, and unemployment insurance have helped workers better understand social security policies—especially retirement benefits under the 2024 Social Insurance Law—leading to a decline in one-time withdrawals.

Additionally, the clear and transparent policy discussions reassured workers that the new law does not negatively impact those who joined the social insurance system before July 1, 2025. Furthermore, the current job market has improved, with even a shortage of workers in some sectors.

Under the 2024 Social Insurance Law, workers who have stopped participating in social insurance and meet one of the following conditions are eligible to receive one-time benefits:

1. Those who reach retirement age but have not contributed for at least 15 years.

2. Those who emigrate permanently.

3. Those diagnosed with severe illnesses such as cancer, paralysis, decompensated cirrhosis, severe tuberculosis, or AIDS.

4. Those with a work capacity reduction of 81% or more or classified as severely disabled.

5. Those who contributed to social insurance before July 1, 2025, but have not participated in mandatory or voluntary social insurance for 12 months and have contributed for less than 20 years.

6. Military personnel who retire, are discharged, or leave service without qualifying for mandatory or voluntary social insurance and are ineligible for a pension.

Workers who choose not to withdraw their one-time social insurance benefits and instead keep their contributions in the system will have access to greater benefits, such as higher payout levels for social insurance schemes (sickness, work accidents, occupational diseases, etc.), as these are calculated based on contribution duration.

Additionally, they will have easier access to pension benefits. While receiving pensions, they will be covered by health insurance funded by the Social Insurance Fund and receive monthly allowances if they do not qualify for a pension or are not yet eligible for state-funded retirement benefits.

During the period of receiving monthly allowances, workers will have their health insurance paid by the state budget. Moreover, they may also access credit support policies if they have contributed to social insurance but lost their jobs.