Decree No. 176 - Social security support for the elderly

Ensuring social security for the people, especially the elderly, has always been a consistent policy of our Party and State. The promulgation of Decree No. 176/2025/ND-CP (Decree 176) detailing and guiding the implementation of a number of articles of the Law on Social Insurance on social pension benefits is a concrete step, contributing to expanding the scope of beneficiaries and ensuring the rights of the elderly who do not have pensions or benefits when they retire. This is not only a material support policy but also a vivid demonstration of the Party and State's care and concern for the people.

Each health insurance card not only helps reduce the burden of medical examination and treatment costs but also acts as a "shield" to protect the health of the elderly.

Humanitarian policy

Decree 176 officially takes effect from July 1, 2025, expanding the beneficiaries and ensuring benefits for the elderly who do not have pensions or subsidies. This is considered an important step forward in caring for material and spiritual life, demonstrating the morality of "When drinking water, remember its source" of our nation.

According to Decree 176, people aged 75 and over who do not have pensions or benefits and people aged 70 to under 75 who are poor or near-poor will receive social pension benefits of VND500,000/month. In addition, beneficiaries will be given free health insurance cards and support for funeral expenses upon death.

In the context that many elderly people do not have pensions and have to take care of their own lives in their old age, this policy has become a timely support, helping them have additional income to cover their living expenses, feel secure in medical examination and treatment, and live happily with their families and the community. For the elderly, the social pension allowance, although not large, brings comfort and a feeling of being cared for. Therefore, many people expect the policy to be implemented quickly, fairly and transparently.

We had the opportunity to visit the family of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Viet (born in 1955, residing in Hamlet 12, My Le Commune) - a near-poor household in the locality. Her family mainly depends on cultivating 0.1ha of rice fields. Due to her advanced age and poor health, life became more difficult when Mrs. Viet had to take care of her daughter with a congenital disability. Thanks to the support of the government, Mrs. Viet was able to complete the procedures for receiving social pension benefits, helping the family have a stable source of income and feel secure in taking care of her child.

Ms. Viet shared: “I am no longer able to work in my old age, while my children are also facing difficulties. Thanks to the social pension policy, I feel cared for and have a little extra income to pay for medicine and living expenses. This is a great source of encouragement for my family.”

Also among the beneficiaries, Mr. Nguyen Van Danh (born in 1953, residing in Quarter 2, Tan An Ward) and his wife were excited when Decree 176 took effect. He and his wife made a living by collecting scrap metal. Unfortunately, he had an accident that left him unable to work, and all the burden fell on his wife. In the midst of hardship, receiving social pension benefits was like a life buoy, helping his family to ease their worries and have more spiritual support.

Mr. Danh said: “Since my accident, I have had difficulty moving around, and all expenses depend on my wife. I am very happy to receive social pension benefits, as if I have more support to continue to overcome difficulties.”

Transparent, timely

Immediately after the Government issued Decree 176 and under the direction of the Provincial People's Committee, the Department of Health urgently issued Official Dispatch No. 82/SYT-CSXH, dated July 11, 2025 on the implementation of the social pension policy. The consistent principle is that the policy must reach beneficiaries as quickly, accurately and conveniently as possible.

Deputy Director of the Department of Health Nguyen Hoang Uyen said: "The sector focuses on implementing 5 key tasks: directing the grassroots to step up propaganda; coordinating with the Department of Finance to advise on funding; coordinating with the Provincial Social Insurance to issue health insurance cards for beneficiaries; advising the Provincial People's Committee to issue new administrative procedures; establishing an online group with 96 communes and wards to promptly answer and remove obstacles in the implementation process."

To date, the province has 79,912 subjects expected to be eligible for the policy. Of these, 22,550 people have been issued social pension decisions; 41,060 cases have been transferred from social pension to social pension; 6,120 files are being appraised and more than 10,100 people continue to receive guidance and complete their files.

“In the coming time, the health sector will continue to coordinate with other sectors and localities to promote propaganda and dissemination of policies to each household, especially in remote areas; strengthen supervision and promptly remove difficulties in the implementation process, ensuring that the legitimate rights of the people are fully implemented, publicly and transparently,” Ms. Nguyen Hoang Uyen added.

For Decree 176 to be implemented quickly and effectively, local authorities play a key role - from screening, making lists to guiding and supporting people in completing documents. Every step is carried out publicly and transparently, ensuring that policies reach the right subjects, promptly and without missing any beneficiaries.

Vice Chairman of the Commune People's Committee and Director of the My Le Commune Public Administration Service Center Nguyen Phuc Truong emphasized: “Immediately after Decree 176 took effect, the commune urgently reviewed and made a list of eligible subjects, ensuring no omissions or duplications. As a result, the whole commune has 1,817 beneficiaries. Up to this point, the Commune People's Committee has received 400 applications, of which, decisions on subsidies have been issued for 230 cases. The remaining applications are being processed; the government and organizations have stepped up propaganda and guidance so that people can complete the procedures soon. At the Public Administration Service Center, people are supported by volunteers to complete the steps of submitting applications online. The initial process has been running smoothly, creating convenience and receiving satisfaction from the people. The My Le Commune government affirms that it will implement Decree 176 fully, promptly, and to the right subjects, so that all people are guaranteed their rights.”

Similarly, in Tan An ward, immediately after the plan to implement Decree 176 was made, the locality quickly reviewed and arranged to receive documents at 4 old administrative locations to facilitate the people. Up to now, the ward People's Committee has issued 353 decisions on social pension benefits, ensuring that the recipients receive money through personal accounts, publicly and transparently.

The social pension policy is a clear demonstration of the Party and State's care and concern for the elderly. Each subsidy is not only material support but also a source of spiritual encouragement for the elderly to overcome difficulties. Each health insurance card not only helps reduce the burden of medical examination and treatment costs but also acts as a "shield" to protect the health of the elderly. That profound humane meaning is the foundation for Decree 176 to receive consensus and trust from the people, contributing to realizing the goal of "leaving no one behind" in the social security policy of the Party and State./.

Huynh Huong

Source: https://baolongan.vn/nghi-dinh-so-176-diem-tua-an-sinh-cho-nguoi-cao-tuoi-a200836.html