Notable regulations on issuance of social insurance books in Vietnam

Notable regulations on issuance of social insurance books in Vietnam (Image from the internet)

Law on Social Insurance 2024 was approved by the 15th National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, 7th session on June 27, 2024.

Notable regulations on issuance of social insurance books in Vietnam

According to the provisions of Article 25 of the Law on Social Insurance 2024 which regulates social insurance books as follows:

- A social insurance book is issued to each employee, containing basic personal information, records of contributions, entitlements, settlement of social insurance benefits, and other related necessary information.

- The social insurance book is issued both in electronic and paper formats, both of which have legal validity.

By January 1, 2026, social insurance books must be issued in electronic format; paper social insurance books shall be issued upon the participant's request.

- Data related to the social insurance book must be accurately updated, promptly cross-referenced, and managed according to regulations.

- The government of Vietnam shall stipulate the details of Article 25 of the Law on Social Insurance 2024.

Thus, according to the above regulations, by January 1, 2026, social insurance books must be issued in electronic format; paper social insurance books shall be issued upon the participant's request.

Rights of social insurance participants and beneficiaries in Vietnam from January 1, 2025

- Social insurance participants have the following rights:

+ To enjoy social insurance benefits as stipulated in the Law on Social Insurance 2024;

+ To be issued a social insurance book;

+ To receive monthly information about social insurance contributions from the social insurance agency through electronic means; to have the social insurance agency confirm social insurance contribution information upon request;

+ To request the employer and related agencies and organizations to fully perform their responsibilities regarding social insurance as per the law;

+ To be informed, educated on social policies and laws on social insurance;

+ To undergo a medical examination to determine the level of labor ability reduction if they are in the period of preserving social insurance contribution time, and to be reimbursed for the medical examination costs if the examination results qualify them to enjoy social insurance benefits as stipulated in the Law on Social Insurance 2024;

+ To lodge complaints, denunciations, and lawsuits concerning social insurance in accordance with the law.

- Beneficiaries of social insurance benefits have the following rights:

+ To receive social insurance benefits fully, promptly, and conveniently;

+ To enjoy health insurance while receiving pension; while on leave receiving monthly compensation for occupational accidents and diseases; during leave for maternity benefits from 14 working days upwards in a month; during leave for sickness benefits from 14 working days upwards in a month or leave for chronic disease treatment listed by the Minister of Health; receiving benefits stated in Article 23 of the Law on Social Insurance 2024;

+ To be reimbursed for medical examination fees in cases where the employer did not refer them for an assessment of labor ability reduction, but the examination results qualify them to enjoy social insurance benefits as stipulated in the Law on Social Insurance 2024;

+ To authorize another person in writing to handle social insurance matters. With regards to authorizing pension receipt, social insurance compensation, and other benefits as stipulated in the Law on Social Insurance 2024, the authorization document is valid for a maximum of 12 months from the date of authorization establishment. The authorization document must be notarized in accordance with the law;

+ Those aged 80 and above, if desired, will have their pension and social insurance benefits delivered at their residence within Vietnamese territory by the social insurance agency or a service organization authorized by the social insurance agency;

+ To receive monthly information regarding social insurance benefits from the social insurance agency through electronic means; to have the social insurance agency confirm benefit information upon request;

+ To lodge complaints, denunciations, and lawsuits related to social insurance in accordance with the law;

+ To refuse social insurance benefits.

(Article 10 of the Law on Social Insurance 2024)

Registration for social insurance participation and issuance of social insurance books in Vietnam

- Employers are responsible for declaring and submitting compulsory social insurance registration for employees as stipulated in clauses 1 and 2 of Article 27 of the Law on Social Insurance 2024 to the social insurance agency within 30 days from the date the employee becomes subject to compulsory social insurance participation, except in cases stipulated in clause 2 of Article 28 of the Law on Social Insurance 2024.

- Individuals stipulated in points m and n of clause 1 of Article 2 of the Law on Social Insurance 2024 who self-submit, must file a declaration as stipulated in point b of clause 1 of Article 27 of the Law on Social Insurance 2024 to the social insurance agency within 30 days from the date they become subject to compulsory social insurance participation.

- Voluntary social insurance participants must submit documents as stipulated in clause 3 of Article 27 of the Law on Social Insurance 2024 to the social insurance agency.

- Within 5 working days from the date of receiving complete documents as stipulated, the social insurance agency is responsible for issuing social insurance books; if not issued, a written explanation with reasons must be provided.

- The government of Vietnam shall stipulate the details of Article 28 of the Law on Social Insurance 2024.

(Article 28 of the Law on Social Insurance 2024)

More details can be found in the Law on Social Insurance 2024 which comes into force in Vietnam from July 1, 2025.

Le Nguyen Anh Hao

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