Vietnam expands early retirement benefits and sets new retirement timing rules for civil servants

Vietnam’s Labour Law and the 2024 Social Insurance Law allow workers in hazardous, dangerous or especially arduous occupations, as well as military and police personnel, to retire up to five or ten years early. Eligible workers must have at least 15 years of compulsory social‑insurance contributions. Pensions for early retirees are calculated at a minimum of 45 % of the average salary base, rising by 2 % for each additional year of contribution, with a maximum payable rate of 75 %. The normal retirement ages will be 61 years 3 months for men and 56 years 8 months for women in 2026, gradually reaching 62 years for men in 2028 and 60 years for women in 2035.

A separate decree (259/2026/ND‑CP) issued on 30 June 2026 governs retirement for Vietnamese civil servants. The retirement date is the first day of the month following the employee’s eligibility. The decree permits postponing the retirement date: up to one month if it coincides with the Lunar New Year, up to three months for serious illness or injury, and up to six months for long‑term diseases listed by the Ministry of Health. Notification of retirement must be issued six months in advance, and the final retirement decision must be made three months prior, with hand‑over of duties required at least three working days before the retirement date.