Pension subsidy level in 2026: Many localities increase support levels
The pension subsidy level in 2026 between localities is clearly different, depending largely on the budget conditions and social security policies of each locality.
From July 1, 2025, when the 2024 Social Insurance Law officially takes effect, social pension benefits will become a new social security regime for the elderly without pensions. Entering 2026, many localities have proactively increased the level of support from the budget, helping beneficiaries have more stable income.
Social pension benefits are a type of social insurance guaranteed by the state budget, aiming to support the elderly who do not receive pensions or monthly social insurance benefits, thereby contributing to reducing difficulties in life.
According to Article 21 of the Law on Social Insurance 2024, beneficiaries of social pension benefits are divided into two groups.
The first group is citizens aged 75 and over, who do not receive monthly pension or social insurance benefits and have a written request to receive social pension benefits.
The second group is citizens aged 70 to under 75 who are poor households, near-poor households, do not receive pensions or monthly social insurance benefits and have a written request to receive social pension benefits.
Social pensioners are guaranteed three regimes, including: monthly social pension benefits; support for funeral expenses; and are granted a health insurance card paid by the state budget. Of which, the monthly allowance is the most important source of financial support, helping the elderly have a minimum regular income.
In Article 3 of Decree No. 176/2025/ND-CP, the monthly social pension allowance is regulated uniformly nationwide at VND 500,000/person/month, fully guaranteed by the state budget.
However, the 2024 Social Insurance Law also opens up a flexible mechanism. Clause 6, Article 6 of the law encourages localities, based on socio-economic conditions and the ability to balance the budget, to proactively provide additional support to increase the subsidy level for social pensioners.
In fact, in 2026, many provinces and cities have implemented additional support policies from local budgets, helping the social pension subsidy level to be significantly higher than the general regulations.
The highest level is currently recorded in Quang Ninh province and Hai Phong city, with 700,000 VND/person/month, higher than the general level of 200,000 VND.
Specifically, the People's Council of Quang Ninh province approved this support level in Resolution No. 65/2025/NQ-HDND dated July 17, 2025, applicable from July 27, 2025. Meanwhile, the Hai Phong City People's Council decided to allocate the same amount of subsidy in Resolution No. 48/2025/NQ-HDND dated December 10, 2025, effective from January 1, 2026.
After Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with a social pension subsidy of VND650,000/person/month.
The Hanoi People's Council approved this support level in Resolution No. 63/2025/NQ-HDND dated November 27, 2025, applicable from January 1, 2026. In Ho Chi Minh City, the subsidy of 650,000 VND/month was decided in Resolution No. 36/2025/NQ-HDND dated August 28, 2025 and will start from September 1, 2025.
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