Expanding the scope of social insurance benefits

Under the chairmanship of Chairwoman Nguyen Thuy Anh, the National Assembly's Social Committee held its 10th plenary session in Hanoi. The session focused on various topics within the committee's responsibilities, including the amendment of the Law on Social Insurance, reviewing the government's report on the implementation of social insurance policies and the management of the Social Insurance Fund in 2022, reviewing the government's report on the implementation of health insurance policies in 2022 and Resolution No. 68 on universal health insurance, providing input on reports regarding the socio-economic situation and the state budget in 2023, and the interim results. Additionally, the session addressed the implementation of draft laws under the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Health, as well as reviewing the government's report on the implementation of the sustainable poverty reduction national target program for the 2021-2025 period.

Delegates attended the meeting.

Following the opening session, the Social Committee conducted a review of the proposed amendment to the Law on Social Insurance. Presenting the proposal, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, Nguyen Ba Hoan, stated that the amendment aims to ensure social security for citizens and address practical challenges. It also seeks to expand and enhance the rights and benefits to attract more participants to social insurance. The amended law aligns with five policies endorsed by the National Assembly, which include establishing a flexible multi-tiered social insurance system, expanding the coverage of participants, expanding the coverage of beneficiaries (retirement pensions, monthly social insurance, and retirement allowances), adding provisions for the management of contributions and payments to social insurance, and diversifying the investment portfolio of the Social Insurance Fund based on the principles of safety, sustainability, and effectiveness.

Regarding significant issues in the proposed amendment to the Law on Social Insurance, Deputy Minister Nguyen Ba Hoan mentioned that the draft includes the addition of social retirement allowances to establish a multi-tiered social insurance system. This provision aims to expand the number of individuals receiving monthly allowances from the state budget without creating a significant increase in expenditure. The draft also stipulates that Vietnamese citizens aged 75 and above who do not receive retirement pensions or other monthly social insurance benefits will be eligible for social retirement allowances provided by the state budget. The goal is to strive for approximately 60% of retirees to receive retirement pensions, monthly social insurance, and retirement allowances by 2030.

VSS’ Deputy General Director - Le Hung Son - delivered a speech.

The amendment to the Law on Social Insurance must ensure both historical significance and high predictability.

Highlighting some major issues in this draft law, Deputy Chairman of the Social Committee, Dang Thuan Phong, stated that the Standing Committee of the Social Committee fundamentally agrees with the objectives and guiding principles outlined in the Government's Proposal. The draft law is in line with the Party's orientation and ideology, complies with the provisions and spirit of the Constitution, ensures coherence and unity within the legal system, is compatible with relevant international conventions, draws on international experiences, and incorporates recommendations from international organizations.

Participating in the discussion at the session, Deputy Chairman of the Social Committee, Lam Van Doan, emphasized that it is a complex law that directly impacts the rights and benefits of the people. Therefore, in this amendment, attention needs to be paid to two main issues: expanding coverage and including various groups to ensure that people who contribute to social insurance for a shorter period also benefit from the social security system. Additionally, the government needs to calculate the benefits for those who contribute for a shorter time to ensure their social security. Are social retirement allowances related to the minimum living standard and social retirement benefits calculated based on the minimum social security level?

Overview of the 10th plenary session of the Social Committee of the National Assembly

In response to a question from Deputy Chairman Lam Van Doan about the proposal for the VSS to take legal action against companies evading contributions or failing to pay social insurance, VSS' Deputy Director General, Le Hung Son, stated that the current model of the VSS is a state agency responsible for policy implementation, and social insurance agencies at all levels are the tools to enforce policies. If the amended law assigns the additional function of taking legal action against companies evading social insurance contributions to the VSS, they will not refuse to undertake that responsibility.

Concluding the session, Chairwoman of the Social Committee, Nguyen Thuy Anh, shared with the drafting agency that this is a significant and challenging law, sensitive and affecting all citizens. People always expect social policies to improve over time. The amendments have closely aligned with the objectives of Resolution No. 28 on social insurance policy reforms. However, specific provisions in the draft law are needed to institutionalize the viewpoints and objectives set out in Resolution No. 28, particularly in terms of expanding the coverage of social insurance according to the adjusted retirement age in each period.