On 26/8, the government issued Decree 338, amending and supplementing certain provisions regarding one-time benefits for officers, professional soldiers, and defense workers and public employees upon leaving military service.

Under the new regulations, officers retiring before their age limit are eligible for a one-time benefit equivalent to 5 months' salary for each year of early retirement. This includes: officers made redundant due to organizational restructuring or changes in establishment tables and personnel quotas; officers reaching their age limit for command and management positions whose services are no longer required by the military; and officers who, due to organizational restructuring, no longer hold leadership or management positions or are appointed to lower positions, but wish to retire early.

This benefit also applies to officers deemed no longer medically fit for military service.

Compared to previous regulations, the one-time benefit for military officers corresponding to the number of years of early retirement has increased from three months' to 5 months' salary.

Military forces parading through Ba Dinh Square on the 80th anniversary of National Day, 9/2025. Photo: Duc Dong

In addition to the aforementioned benefit, officers retiring early will also receive a one-time allowance based on their length of service: the first 20 years of social insurance contributions will receive 5 months' salary; from the 21st year onwards, each year will receive 0,5 months' salary. Officers with 15 to under 20 years of service will also receive 5 months' salary.

These individuals will not have their pension reduced for early retirement and will be eligible for social insurance benefits and benefits for those who rendered meritorious service to the revolution, as stipulated.

The government has also raised the job creation allowance for demobilized officers from six months' basic salary to three months' current salary. This applies to officers who do not meet retirement conditions, invalidity retirement criteria, or cannot transfer to another sector. This group will also see an increase in their one-time demobilization benefit, from one month to 1,5 months' salary for each year of service with social insurance contributions.

Furthermore, demobilized officers will receive social insurance and other insurance benefits, as well as support for vocational training and job placement.

Professional soldiers retiring early will also see their one-time benefit increase from three months' to 5 months' salary for each year of early retirement. This regulation applies to professional soldiers made redundant due to organizational or personnel changes, whose services are no longer required by the military; those who, due to restructuring, no longer hold leadership or management positions or are assigned to lower positions but wish to retire early; and those no longer medically fit for military service.

Professional soldiers retiring early will also receive benefits based on their years of service: the first 20 years will receive 5 months' salary, and from the 21st year onwards, each year will receive 0,5 months' salary. Professional soldiers with 15 to under 20 years of service will also receive 5 months' salary.

Demobilized professional soldiers will receive a job creation allowance equivalent to three months' salary; 1,5 months' salary for each year of service; and will be eligible for a one-time social insurance benefit or the preservation of their social insurance participation period. They will also receive priority points when taking civil servant or public employee examinations.

The decree became effective on 26/8. The new benefit levels, calculation period, and salary used to determine benefits will apply to cases of sacrifice, death, or decisions to retire early, demobilize, transfer sectors, or resign from 1/9/2026.

Vu Tuan