Vietnam proposes to drop 12‑month limit on pension benefit authorizations

Vietnam's Ministry of Home Affairs is consulting on a draft amendment to the Social Insurance Law that would eliminate the current 12‑month maximum for authorisations to receive pensions and other benefits. Two options are under consideration: one removes the time limit and aligns authorisations with civil‑law provisions, the other retains the existing rule. The change aims to ease procedures for elderly, ill or remote beneficiaries and lower costs associated with notarised documents.

The draft, slated for National Assembly review, coincides with the government's Decree 162/2026, which will raise pension and monthly benefit payments by 8% from 1 July 2026. The increase will affect roughly 3.4 million recipients and raise the Social Insurance Fund's budget by about VND 10.8 trillion compared with 2025.

Local authorities are divided, some supporting the removal of the limit for beneficiary convenience, while others prefer to keep the rule for administrative ease.