Retirement allowance makes a social security commitment for those aged 70

The 2024 Social Insurance Law took effect on July 1, 2025, introducing a new provision: citizens aged 75 or older who do not receive a pension are entitled to a social retirement allowance of 500,000 VND per month and are provided with a free health insurance card.

Tran Lap (75 years old, residing in Trang Dai Ward) expresses his happiness at receiving the social retirement allowance and the free health insurance card. Photo: AN NHON

This policy reflects the Party and State’s profound concern for the elderly citizens. Immediately after the new regulation took effect, it garnered widespread approval nationwide, including in Dong Nai province.

Broad dissemination to facilitate registration

Tran Lap (75, residing in Quarter 4, Trang Dai Ward) said that he recently went to the Trang Dai Ward People’s Committee to register for the social retirement allowance, which provides 500,000 VND per month along with a free health insurance card. Ward officials and civil servants warmly and attentively guided him to complete the application procedures quickly and securely. In less than 10 days, he received the ward’s settlement results. All his paperwork is now complete, and he is reassured as he awaits the July 2025 allowance payment.

Duong Kim Truc, Deputy Head in charge of the Culture–Social Affairs Office of Trang Dai Ward, said that after the regulation took effect, the ward promptly developed and implemented a plan, sending notifications to all quarters to publicize and widely disseminate information so that residents could understand and register. The ward then carefully reviewed cases eligible for the policy but not yet registered, proactively preparing a list and working with neighborhood units to invite residents to come for attentive guidance and support.

Thanks to this, the registration for social retirement allowances and the issuance of free health insurance cards for residents of Trang Dai Ward were carried out methodically and promptly. As of now, the People’s Committee of Trang Dai Ward has issued decisions granting social retirement benefits and free health insurance cards to more than 300 individuals.

Similarly, Tran Duy Hau, Deputy Director of the Public Administration Service Center of Binh Loc Ward, noted that recently, Binh Loc Ward has actively issued notifications to residents. Simultaneously, ward officials and civil servants have collaborated with senior citizens’ associations to thoroughly review and select eligible individuals, ensuring no overlap with those already receiving other benefits or policies (such as pensions). As of now, the People’s Committee of Binh Loc Ward has received and processed applications from 196 individuals registering for the social retirement allowance of 500,000 VND per month, along with free health insurance cards.

In recent times, many wards and communes across Dong Nai province have promptly implemented the new provisions of the 2024 Social Insurance Law, ensuring the protection of citizens’ benefits. For example, Phu Trung Commune compiled and processed 104 applications from individuals aged 75 and above to receive the social retirement allowance. Meanwhile, Binh Tan Commune issued decisions for 292 individuals in the same age group.

“Currently, there are still individuals in the area eligible for benefits under the policy who have not come to register their applications due to family obligations or illness. Therefore, we will continue to give attention to, receive, and process their applications in the coming time,” said Tran Duy Hau.

“Previously, I worked for several construction companies in Ho Chi Minh City. The work was often intermittent, so I did not meet the conditions to receive a pension. Now, the Party and State are paying greater attention to elderly people like us, with a very practical social retirement allowance that helps improve our living conditions and serves as a source of spiritual encouragement for us to live happily and healthily with our children and grandchildren,” said Tran Lap (75, residing in Quarter 4, Trang Dai Ward).

Enhancing the quality of life for the elderly

In addition to those aged 75 and above who do not receive a monthly pension or social insurance allowance, the 2024 Social Insurance Law also applies to individuals aged 70 to under 75 from poor or near-poor households who do not receive a pension or monthly social insurance benefits.

Lawyer Tran Cao Dai Ky Quan, Deputy Head of the Dong Nai Provincial Bar Association, emphasized that the 2024 Social Insurance Law is not just a new regulation but also a significant advancement with numerous practical social implications. There are individuals who, for various subjective and objective reasons, have been unable to build a “savings reserve” to ensure a minimum standard of living in their old age. The new social retirement allowance policy guarantees that “no one is left behind”. Although the pension sum may still be modest, it effectively addresses the immediate basic needs of vulnerable groups, providing stability and invaluable emotional support to elderly seniors, helping them feel cared for and respected by society, and enabling them to take a more proactive role in their healthcare, thereby enhancing their quality of life.

Moreover, most people aged 75 to 80 experience a significant decline in health and are in great need of medical care. At this age, very few are still able to do heavy work or generate material income; most depend on the support of their children or the community, and some are even unable to care for themselves. Therefore, without a stable source of income, they face considerable difficulties in maintaining a minimum standard of living and accessing healthcare in old age.

“From both a legal and human perspective, I highly value the new social retirement allowance policy. This initiative is not only a regulation but also a commitment to social security that is consistent with Vietnam’s commitments and international standards in the country’s integration process,” remarked lawyer Tran Cao Dai Ky Quan.

By An Nhon-Ngoc Dung 

Translated by Huyen Trang