Nghe An is the only province in the country that has 'retired farmers'.

(Baonghean.vn) - From 1998 - 2009, Nghe An province implemented social insurance for farmers. Up to now, Nghe Anis the only province in the countryThere are 734 farmers receiving pension benefits under this scheme.

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Nghe An started implementing the social insurance policy for farmers in 1998, initially piloting in Quynh Luu district and 3 communes: Dien Tho (Dien Chau district), Tan Son (Do Luong district) and Dong Vinh (Vinh city). At that time, this policy was considered innovative, bold, and practically concerned with the long-term welfare of farmers.

In 2001, the People's Committee of Nghe An province announced Decision No. 32/2001/QD/UB on promulgating the Farmers' Social Insurance Charter in the province. The charter consists of 7 chapters and 27 articles, which specifically stipulate the farmers' social insurance regimes including retirement regime, one-time subsidy regime, and survivorship regime. The minimum contribution level is 10,000 VND/month, with no maximum contribution limit. As of 2009, 86,769 people in 11 districts, cities, and towns in Nghe An participated in farmers' social insurance.

Farmers in Quynh Lien commune harvest chayote. Photo courtesy

However, after the Law on Social Insurance was promulgated, including the content on voluntary social insurance, considering that converting farmers' social insurance to voluntary social insurance is completely appropriate, Nghe An made recommendations and proposals to the Government.

On April 10, 2009, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 41/2009/QD-TTg requesting the People's Committee of Nghe An province to issue a decision to terminate the operation of the Farmers' Social Insurance, hand over the Farmers' Social Insurance Fund according to regulations and direct relevant agencies to transfer the Nghe An Farmers' Social Insurance to voluntary Social Insurance according to the Law on Social Insurance.

Up to now, statistics from Nghe An Social Insurance show that there are 734 farmers receiving pension benefits under the Farmers' Social Insurance scheme. Due to the low contribution rate, the pension of this group is very low: more than 100 people receive a salary of 371,000 VND/month, the highest is 1,062,000 VND/month.

However, the staff of the Social Insurance Regime Department, Nghe An Social Insurance analyzed: In fact, this actual salary has been added 250,000 VND/month according to Decree 55/2016/ND-CP on adjusting pension levels for those with pensions from 1,750,000 VND/month. Thus, if calculated correctly, the lowest pension level according to the Farmers' Social Insurance is only 121,000 VND/month.

Phuoc Anh