Before July 1

Generally, workers with illnesses receive medical treatment cost support from the health insurance (HI) fund and sickness benefits to compensate for lost income during their treatment period.

However, for workers diagnosed with serious illnesses requiring prolonged treatment, additional advantageous support policies are provided by regulation.

Before July 1, the sickness benefit scheme is governed by Articles 24–29 of the 2014 Social Insurance Law.

According to the Vietnam Social Security (VSS), Clauses 2 and 3 of Article 26 in the 2014 Social Insurance Law stipulate that workers suffering from diseases under the Ministry of Health's list of prolonged-treatment illnesses are entitled to sickness benefits for up to 180 days per year (including public holidays and weekends).

During this period, workers receive 75% of their social insurance-based salary.

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If the 180-day limit is exceeded and treatment continues, the worker can still receive sickness benefits but at a reduced rate.

The maximum sickness benefit duration depends on the total SI participation period of the worker.

Additionally, during the treatment period, workers are entitled to free HI coverage funded by the social security system.

According to Article 29 of the 2014 Social Insurance Law, if a worker has exhausted their annual sickness benefits and returns to work but their health has not yet recovered, they are eligible for a convalescence and rehabilitation leave of 5–10 days per year.

From July 1 Onward

From July 1, the sickness benefit scheme will be applied according to Articles 42–49 of the 2024 Law on Social Insurance.

Most benefits for workers with serious illnesses requiring long-term treatment remain similar to those in the 2014 Social Insurance Law. However, the biggest change is in the duration of sickness benefits.

Specifically, the maximum duration of sickness benefits per year depends on the worker’s employment conditions and SI contribution years.

During this period, the benefit remains at 75% of the worker’s social insurance-based salary.

If the maximum entitlement is full and the worker still requires treatment, they can continue receiving sickness benefits at a reduced rate, provided their illness is on the Ministry of Health’s list of prolonged-treatment diseases.

Retirement Conditions Before July 1

According to SI regulations, workers are eligible for pensions if they meet two conditions: reaching retirement age and fulfilling the required social insurance participation period.

Before July 1, retirement age requirements are set by Article 4 of Decree 135/2020/ND-CP.

From January 1, 2021, the retirement age for workers in normal conditions is:

• 60 years and 3 months for men

• 55 years and 4 months for women

Each year, the retirement age increases by 3 months for men (reaching 62 by 2028) and 4 months for women (reaching 60 by 2035).

Thus, in 2025, the regulated retirement age will be:

• 61 years and 3 months for men

• 56 years and 8 months for women

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Retirement takes effect at the end of the month when workers reach the required age, and pension payments begin the following month.

For pension eligibility, workers must have at least 20 years of social insurance participation.

• Men with 20 years of participation receive a pension equal to 45% of their social insurance-based average salary.

• Women with 20 years of participation receive 55% of their social insurance-based average salary.

Retirement Conditions from July 1, 2024 Onward

From July 1, 2024, with the new Law on Social Insurance taking effect, retirement age requirements remain the same as per Decree 135/2020/ND-CP.

However, there is a significant change in the minimum SI contribution period required for pension eligibility. Workers will now qualify for a pension with only 10 years of contributions, benefiting hundreds of thousands of workers.

Previously, workers needed at least 20 years of contributions to receive a pension. From July 1, they only need 15 years.

With this change, pension benefit rates are also adjusted:

• Men retiring with 15 years of contributions receive 40% of their SI-based average salary.

• Women retiring with 15 years of contributions receive 45% of their SI-based average salary.

Changes in Monthly Survivors’ Benefits in 2025

Before July 1

Before July 1, survivor benefits for SI participants follow the 2014 Social Insurance Law.

There are three types of survivor benefits:

1. Funeral allowance

2. Monthly survivor allowance

3. Lump-sum survivor allowance

Among these, the monthly survivor allowance is the most crucial, ensuring financial security for dependents when a worker passes away.

Not all dependents qualify for monthly survivor benefits—only those who meet the legal conditions specified in Clause 2, Article 67 of the 2014 SI Law.

According to Article 68 of the 2014 Social Insurance Law, the monthly survivor allowance is:

• 50% of the base salary per dependent

• 70% of the base salary for dependents without direct caregivers

The base salary for this period is 2,340,000 VND.

Each deceased worker can have up to 4 dependents receiving monthly survivor benefits. If multiple workers in the same family pass away, their dependents are entitled to double the allowance.

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From July 1 Onward

From July 1, survivor benefits for social insurance participants will follow the 2024 Social Insurance Law (Articles 86–87).

The eligibility criteria remain largely unchanged, with the 2024 Law clarifying the conditions and categories of beneficiaries.

The monthly survivor allowance remains the same, but the reference salary for calculation shifts from "base salary" to "reference level."

While the base salary system is still in place, the reference level will not be lower than the base salary. As a result, survivor benefits from July 1 onward will be equal to or higher than previous levels.