The Ho Chi Minh City People's Council approved the policy at its afternoon session on 28/8, implementing Decree 176/2024 on social pensions, which took effect in early July. The decree sets the national support level at 500,000 VND per month, but allows localities to supplement this amount based on their budget.

People stroll and exercise in Tao Dan Park, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Quynh Tran

People stroll and exercise in Tao Dan Park, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Quynh Tran

Residents of Ho Chi Minh City aged 75 and above who do not receive a monthly pension or social insurance benefits, or whose current benefits are less than 650,000 VND, will receive this supplemental allowance. For individuals from poor and near-poor households, the eligible age is 70. Residents must submit a written request to receive the benefit. Funding for the program comes from the city budget.

In addition to senior citizens, the People's Council also approved a monthly support policy of 650,000 VND for social welfare recipients during this session.

Ho Chi Minh City’s higher support level continues the policies of the three localities that existed before the merger. Before 1/7, social welfare recipients in the former Ho Chi Minh City received 600,000 VND per month, those in the former Binh Duong received 500,000 VND, and those in the former Ba Ria-Vung Tau received 625,000 VND.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, increasing social pensions and welfare allowances helps care for and improve the lives of beneficiaries and is also in line with the city's resources. The total annual budget for this policy is over 1,522 billion VND, with the increase over the national standard accounting for more than 351 billion VND.

Le Tuyet