Early retirement but still able to receive a higher pension

Mr. Nguyen Minh Sang (character name changed - PV) in Ho Chi Minh City, born February 25, 1968, is a Physical Education teacher, paid social insurance until January 2026 for 17 years and 10 months. He suffered from heart failure, so his working capacity decreased by 71%, not healthy enough to continue teaching.

Mr. Sang asked, are you eligible to receive a pension according to the retirement regime? If not, can you voluntarily contribute to social insurance to be eligible to receive a pension?

How many more years of voluntary social insurance contributions are eligible? If you do not pay more voluntary social insurance contributions, can you receive one-time social insurance benefits?

Regarding this issue, Ho Chi Minh City Social Insurance answers as follows:

Based on point b, clause 2, Article 11 of Decree No. 159/2025/ND-CP stipulating the conditions for enjoying pensions:

In case a voluntary social insurance participant has at least 20 years of compulsory social insurance contributions and has a working capacity reduction of 61% or more, the age condition for enjoying a pension is implemented according to the provisions of Article 65 of the Law on Social Insurance".

Comparing with the above regulations, he was born on February 25, 1968, the time of compulsory social insurance participation is 17 years and 10 months, he does not meet the conditions to enjoy the pension regime.

Mr. Sang can continue to participate in voluntary social insurance to receive a higher pension or preserve his participation time until reaching retirement age as prescribed in Clause 1, Article 64 of the 2024 Social Insurance Law.

In case he no longer participates in social insurance, after 12 months if he does not continue to pay compulsory social insurance or does not participate in voluntary social insurance, he can contact the grassroots social insurance agency to carry out procedures to enjoy one-time social insurance benefits.

Read the original here