Vietnam expands social insurance, lowering pension contribution to 15 years and allowing overseas workers to join online

Vietnam's 2024 social insurance law reduces the minimum contribution period for a pension from 20 to 15 years, widening eligibility for workers who joined late or contributed intermittently. Eligible retirees receive a monthly pension, a free health insurance card for the entire benefit period, and survivor benefits such as burial and family allowances. Pension amounts are adjusted regularly based on consumer price indices and economic growth.

The same legislation also permits Vietnamese citizens living abroad to enroll in voluntary social insurance. Participants must be at least 15 years old, contribute 22 % of a declared monthly income, with a minimum base of VND 1.5 million and a maximum of 20 times the reference salary (rising to VND 50.6 million from July 2026). Registration can be completed entirely online through the national or social‑insurance service portals, streamlining access for expatriates.