People can receive 2 months of pension combined during Tet
Decree 233/2025 of the Government on the financial mechanism of social insurance, health insurance, and unemployment insurance stipulates that in some special cases, beneficiaries are paid a combined 2 months of pension and social insurance benefits.
Collection through accounts, tightening handling of late payment and payment evasion
The Government has just issued Decree 233/2025 regulating the financial mechanism for social insurance, unemployment insurance, and health insurance. A notable new point is that the collection of insurance premiums will be centralized through the regime collection account, then transferred to the Vietnam Social Security, in order to increase transparency and consistency in management.
The financial resources of the insurance system include the Social Insurance Fund (including the state budget to pay pensions and subsidies to those guaranteed by the budget), the Unemployment Insurance Fund, the Health Insurance Fund and other legal financial sources. Social Insurance agencies at all levels as well as the Military Social Insurance and the People's Public Security Social Insurance will be responsible for organizing the collection and periodically transferring money to the Vietnam Social Insurance according to regulations.
The Decree also clearly stipulates the principles for allocating contributions and handling violations. When receiving contributions from employers, the Social Insurance will prioritize timely payment to employees who are eligible for benefits. The remaining amount will be allocated in the following order: Health Insurance, Unemployment Insurance, then to the Social Insurance component funds. Notably, all handling violations due to late payment and evasion of payment will be added directly to the funds to increase payment resources.
A leader of Vietnam Social Security said that all social insurance, health insurance and unemployment insurance funds are managed centrally and uniformly at the central level. After collecting money from employees and employers, localities transfer it to the central fund and are not allowed to retain it. Spending from this fund is also carried out according to the annual budget and is only allocated when there is a decision from the central level.
"At the end of the year, the revenue minus the expenditure will create a fund balance, which will continue to be centrally managed," said a representative of Vietnam Social Security.
Regarding investment interest from funds mainly invested through the Government bond channel, it is recorded separately for each fund. Specifically, interest from investment in the Social Insurance Fund will be added to the Social Insurance Fund itself; interest from Health Insurance or Unemployment Insurance will also be added to the corresponding fund. All funds are accounted for independently and transparently. Investment interest is not used for purposes other than those prescribed.
Regarding late payment interest, revenues from late payment penalties for social insurance, health insurance, and unemployment insurance are also put into the corresponding funds, then used in accordance with regulations to pay benefits, pensions, sickness, maternity, etc.
“There is no loss or misuse of any funds,” the representative of Vietnam Social Security emphasized.
In case of receiving 2 months of pension and social insurance benefits
A policy that people are particularly interested in in Decree 233 is the combined payment of pension and social insurance benefits for two consecutive months.
Accordingly, in special cases such as the payment time coincides with the Lunar New Year or when the payment process encounters natural disasters, epidemics, force majeure incidents or is directed by competent authorities, the General Director of Vietnam Social Security will consider and decide to transfer funds to pay 2 months in total to the beneficiary.
The leader of Vietnam Social Security said that the two-month lump sum payment will only be implemented when there is a policy from the Government to support beneficiaries.
Allowing lump sum payments for 2 months in special situations is a flexible solution, bringing many benefits to people. First of all, pensioners and social insurance beneficiaries will have more timely financial resources to spend during the Lunar New Year - a period of high demand. At the same time, when natural disasters, epidemics or force majeure events occur, lump sum payments help limit risks, reduce difficulties for beneficiaries, and ensure that benefits are not interrupted.
This is not only financial support, but also shows concern and flexibility in managing and paying social insurance benefits, putting the interests and peace of mind of the people first.
Operating expenses are deducted from the interest in the investment fund.
A notable point is that the operating costs of the social insurance sector, including staff salaries, are deducted from a small portion of investment profits, according to the rate approved by the National Assembly. Thus, people's contributions are not used for system operating costs. All salaries and allowances for social insurance officials are taken from a small portion of investment profits, without affecting the rights of social insurance and health insurance participants.
