Voluntary social insurance - a support for freelance workers

Voluntary social insurance (SI) policies are increasingly playing an important role in protecting the rights and stabilizing the lives of freelance workers. In particular, the new regulations on death benefits for those who have participated in voluntary SI for 60 months or more are considered a highlight of profound humanity.

Ms. Huynh Thi Nhu (Hoa Xuan commune) is a farmer and small-scale trader. After learning about the voluntary social insurance policy and receiving advice from commune officials and social insurance staff at her home, she registered to participate with a contribution of 138,600 VND/month. Ms. Nhu shared: "Although my current living expenses are just enough to get by, I still try to save up to participate in voluntary social insurance so that when I get old, I will have a pension like a civil servant."

Similarly, Mr. Nguyen Tan Thiet (Xuan Phuoc commune) works as a motorcycle repairman at home. Recently, after being informed by social insurance staff, he joined the voluntary social insurance program. Recognizing this as a superior policy with both material and spiritual benefits, he actively encouraged his neighbors to participate as well. Mr. Thiet shared: “Voluntary social insurance is a humane policy that helps self-employed workers accumulate savings, receive a pension later, and have health insurance. This not only has material value but also provides spiritual support, helping me feel secure and live independently from my children and grandchildren.”

Social insurance staff at the Tuy An Bac branch are advising residents on voluntary social insurance policies.

Like Mrs. Nhu and Mr. Thiet, Mrs. Huynh Thi Nang (O Loan commune) is worried about her old age because she has no pension and no stable income. Although she is over 60 years old and no longer eligible for a pension, Mrs. Nang decided to participate in voluntary social insurance for 5 years so that she can receive a lump-sum death benefit later. "I just hope that later I will have some money for my children and grandchildren to take care of the funeral expenses, so they don't have to borrow. That's also a way to take care of myself and ease the burden on my children and grandchildren," Mrs. Nang confided.

If a person who has participated in voluntary social insurance for 60 months or more passes away, their relatives will receive a funeral allowance equal to 10 times the basic salary at the time of death, and a death benefit calculated based on the number of years the deceased contributed to social insurance, with each year of contribution equivalent to 2 months of average salary.

According to Mr. Le Huy Trung, Director of the Tuy An Bac branch of the Social Insurance agency, under the provisions of the 2024 Social Insurance Law, if a person who has participated in voluntary social insurance for 60 months or more passes away, their relatives will receive a funeral allowance equal to 10 times the basic salary at the time of death, and a death benefit calculated based on the number of years the deceased contributed to social insurance, with each year of contribution equivalent to 2 months of average salary. This is considered a major advantage of the voluntary social insurance policy, especially for the elderly or those who do not meet the conditions for receiving a pension.

However, to attract a large number of people to participate in voluntary social insurance, especially self-employed workers, the provincial social insurance agency needs to continue innovating its communication methods so that people understand and participate in voluntary social insurance. Particularly in rural areas, local social insurance agencies need to actively coordinate with local authorities to integrate this into communication sessions in residential areas, markets, and other public gathering places.

According to the 2024 Social Insurance Law, those eligible for voluntary social insurance include: Vietnamese citizens aged 15 and above who are not subject to mandatory social insurance and are not currently receiving pensions, social insurance benefits, or monthly allowances; and employees whose labor contracts or employment agreements are temporarily suspended, except in cases where both parties have agreed to pay mandatory social insurance contributions during this period. The monthly contribution rate is 22% of the income used as the basis for voluntary social insurance contributions to the retirement and death benefit fund. The minimum income used as the basis for voluntary social insurance contributions is equal to the poverty line standard for rural areas, and the maximum is 20 times the reference level at the time of contribution.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/chinh-sach-xa-hoi/chinh-sach-bhxh-bhyt/202509/bao-hiem-xa-hoi-tu-nguyen-diem-tua-cho-lao-dong-tu-do-47813e3/