Vietnam announces new social welfare and insurance policies

The Vietnamese government has introduced several new decrees aimed at enhancing social welfare and financial support for various demographics.

Under Decree 162/2026/NĐ-CP, effective July 1, 2026, pension and social insurance beneficiaries will receive a general 8% increase based on their June 2026 levels. Additionally, individuals who retired before January 1, 1995, and have low monthly benefits between 3.5 million and 3.8 million VND will see their payments adjusted to a flat 3.8 million VND.

Regarding social retirement allowances, Decree 335 will increase monthly payments for approximately 2.5 million people from 500,000 VND to 540,000 VND, effective October 5, 2026. Furthermore, from January 1, 2026, citizens aged 75 and older receiving these allowances will be entitled to 100% coverage for health insurance benefits.

Other upcoming measures include Decree 168/2026/NĐ-CP, which provides a one-time financial support of at least 2 million VND for women who complete their second child before the age of 35, starting January 1, 2027. Additionally, Decree 346/2026/NĐ-CP will take effect on October 20, 2026, offering up to 95% support for agricultural insurance premiums for individuals in poor or near-poor households.