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The Ministry of Interior has completed a draft decree adjusting pensions, social insurance allowances, and monthly allowances. The file has been submitted to the Ministry of Justice for appraisal.
Under the latest draft, the drafting agency proposes an 8% increase on pensions, social insurance allowances, and monthly allowances for June 2026 for all beneficiary groups. The adjustment would take effect on July 1, 2026, in line with the timing of the base salary adjustment.
The Ministry said the measure is intended to offset anticipated increases in the consumer price index (CPI) in 2026, projected at 4%–4.5%, and in 2025, when CPI is estimated to rise by 3.31%.
After applying the 8% adjustment, the draft continues an additional adjustment for retirees who retired before 1995 and whose pensions, social insurance allowances, and monthly allowances are below 3.8 million VND per month.
The Ministry of Interior said the proposal aligns with the Party’s stance in Resolution 28-NQ/TW on reforming social insurance policies and the 2024 Social Insurance Law, which emphasizes adjustments for retirees before 1995 with low benefits.
The Ministry estimates that, with the pension, social insurance, and monthly allowance adjustments described above, total additional funding compared with 2025 would exceed 10.7 trillion VND.
Of this amount, about 2.0 trillion VND would come from the state budget, while more than 8.7 trillion VND would be funded by the Social Insurance Fund.
Compared with two options released in March, the drafters have narrowed to a single option: Option 2, applying an 8% increase for all beneficiary groups.
After collecting feedback, the Ministry received comments from ministries, sectors, and localities.
Units selecting Option 1 included various ministries and provinces listed in the article, while several ministries selected Option 2.
The Ca Mau Department of Internal Affairs said Option 2 (8%) is consistent with the overall adjustment policy, supports implementation, simplifies calculation and payout, and ensures alignment across beneficiary groups. It also includes a mechanism to support those with low benefits, particularly retirees before 1995, helping narrow benefit gaps and strengthen social security.
The Son La Department of Internal Affairs similarly judged that Option 2 would uniformly adjust benefits for all pension and social security recipients, helping reduce disparity and ensure fairness.
The Lam Dong Department of Internal Affairs noted that under Option 2, pension recipients would receive higher benefits than under Option 1, while preserving the principle that higher social insurance contributions correspond to higher benefits. It also said the July 1, 2026 effective date—coinciding with the base salary increase—is appropriate.
The Lai Chau Department of Internal Affairs stated that the 8% increase aims to ensure livelihoods and reduce hardship among pensioners amid rising prices and CPI, while remaining within the capacity of the state budget and the Social Insurance Fund.
The Ministry said it has noted and compiled feedback. However, in line with government leadership direction to remain aligned with the wage and allowance framework reported by the Party Committee and approved by the Politburo in Conclusion 206-KL/TW, the Ministry proposes implementing the pension adjustment under Option 2.
For Option 1, the Ministry said it will continue to study and assess the report with the competent authorities in due course.
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