Voluntary Social Insurance – Regulations and Detailed Guide 

Are you exploring Voluntary Social Insurance (SI)? Do you want to know how to participate, the contribution rates, and the benefits you can enjoy? This article will provide a detailed guide from A to Z. We will explore current regulations and anticipated changes together. All information is updated to the latest for 2025.

1. What is Voluntary Social Insurance?

Voluntary Social Insurance is a form of insurance organized by the state. Participants voluntarily choose their contribution levels. The payment method is also flexible based on income. Its primary purpose is to ensure social security, especially for employees not covered by mandatory social insurance. 

Distinction Between Voluntary and Mandatory Social Insurance: 

• Mandatory Social Insurance: Designed for employees with contracts, with employers contributing alongside employees. 

• Voluntary Social Insurance: Intended for self-employed individuals, with participants voluntarily covering the full amount. 

The main purpose of voluntary social insurance is to ensure social security, helping self-employed individuals secure a pension in old age while also entitling them to death benefits. 

2. Who Should Participate in Voluntary Social Insurance?

Voluntary social insurance targets a broad group of individuals, specifically those employees without formal employment relationships. 

Eligible Participants: 

• Self-employed individuals: Small traders, farmers, artisans, or anyone engaged in freelance work. 

• Individuals returning from working abroad: Those without stable employment in the country. 

• Housewives, graduated students: Those without formal employment. 

• Individuals who have reached pensionable age: But have not completed the required contribution years, allowing them to continue or make up contributions. 

• Other cases: As stipulated by law. (Refer to Article 2 of Decree 134/2015/ND-CP). 

Reasons to Participate in Voluntary Social Insurance: 

• Securing the future: Provides a stable pension in old age, eliminating financial worries. 

• Peace of mind: Reduces the burden on children and family in old age. 

• Preservation of contribution value: May even grow according to regulations.

Policies and Benefits of Voluntary Social Insurance

Participating in voluntary social insurance offers numerous benefits, providing robust financial protection. 

3.1. Pension Benefits When Participating in Voluntary Social Insurance

• Conditions for Receiving a Pension:

• Reaching the stipulated retirement age. Currently, it is 61 years and 3 months for men and 55 years and 4 months for women. Thereafter, the retirement age increases by 3 months annually for men until reaching 62 years in 2028, and by 4 months annually for women until reaching 60 years in 2035.

• Having 20 years or more of social insurance contributions – 2014 Social Insurance Law. However, from July 1, 2025, only 15 years of contributions are required to receive a pension. For detailed benefit levels, refer to the latest 2025 Social Insurance Policy article.

• Pension calculation method: Based on the total duration of social insurance contributions, including the selected monthly income level. The specific formula is as follows:

Monthly pension amount = (Monthly pension rate) x (Average monthly salary subject to social insurance contributions) 

Significance: The pension is a fixed income source, enabling elderly individuals to live independently and comfortably. 

3.2. Death Benefit Entitlements

When a participant unfortunately passes away, their relatives will receive certain benefits. 

• Funeral allowance: Equivalent to 10 months of the base salary. 

• Monthly death allowance: For eligible relatives (e.g., minor children, spouses unable to work). 

• One-time death allowance: For relatives not eligible for the monthly death allowance. 

View detailed death benefit entitlements when participating in social insurance here. tại đây

3.3. Free Health Insurance Card Upon Receiving a Pension

• Benefit: Entitled to a health insurance card for medical examinations and treatment, significantly reducing healthcare costs. 

• Importance: Protects health, especially in old age. 

3.4. Maternity Allowance Benefits

Major Change in Voluntary Social Insurance from July 1, 2025: Addition of Maternity Benefits
The 2024 Social Insurance Law brings good news for voluntary social insurance participants by adding maternity benefits, unlike the current 2014 Social Insurance Law, which only includes pensions and death benefits.

Specifically, Articles 94 and 95 of the 2024 Social Insurance Law stipulate: Female employees giving birth and male employees whose wives give birth, if they have contributed to voluntary social insurance for 6 months or more in the 12 months prior to birth, will receive a support of 2 million VND per child. This support also applies to cases of stillbirth from 22 weeks of gestation or fetal death during labor.

3.5. Partial State Support for Voluntary Social Insurance Contributions

• Support level: (Refer to Article 14 of Decree 134/2015/ND-CP and Article 1 of Decree 89/2020/ND-CP).

• Poor households: 30% support on contributions.

• Near-poor households: 25% support on contributions.

• Other individuals: 10% support on contributions.

• Impact: Reduces financial burden and encourages more people to participate.

4. Current Contribution Rates for Voluntary Social Insurance

Voluntary social insurance contribution rates are highly flexible, depending on your income.

Contribution Rate Formula:

• Contribution amount = 22% x Selected monthly income level.

Limits on Monthly Income for Contributions:

• Minimum: Equal to the rural poverty line. (According to Resolution 24/2021/UBTVQH15, the rural poverty line is 1,500,000 VND/month).

• Maximum: Up to 20 times the base salary. (The base salary before July 1, 2025, is 1,800,000 VND; after July 1, 2025, it is 2,340,000 VND/month).

• Example: 

If you choose a contribution income level of 3,000,000 VND/month: 

• Monthly contribution = 22% x 3,000,000 VND = 660,000 VND. 

State Support Table (based on the current rural poverty line – 1,500,000 VND/month): 

Category	Support Level	Support Amount (VND/month)	Actual Contribution (VND/month)
Poor Households	30%	22% x 1.5M x 30% = 99,000	330.000 – 99.000 = 231.000
Near-Poor Households	25%	22% x 1.5M x 25% = 82,500	330.000 – 82.500 = 247.500
Others	10%	22% x 1.5M x 10% = 33.000	330.000 – 33.000 = 297.000

Note: This actual contribution applies when you select the minimum income level. 

5. Procedures for Participating in Voluntary Social Insurance

The process for participating in voluntary social insurance is quite simple. You only need to follow these steps: 

STEP 1: Prepare Documents 

• Social Insurance Participation Declaration (Form TK1-TS): Can be downloaded from the National Public Service Portal or the Vietnam Social Insurance website. https://dichvucong.gov.vn/p/home/dvc-chi-tiet-thu-tuc-hanh-chinh.html?id=1236 

• ID Card/CCCD: A copy with the original for verification. 

• Household registration book: (If required by the social insurance agency, usually not mandatory). 

• Proof of eligibility documents: If you qualify for contribution support (e.g., Poor/Near-Poor Household Certificate). 

STEP 2: Submit Documents 

You can submit documents at: 

• Social Insurance Agency: At the district or provincial level where you reside. 

• Social Insurance and Health Insurance Collection Service Organizations: Such as Vietnam Posthttps://www.vnpost.vn/Viettelhttps://viettel.vn/or other collection agents (Detailed information available at the local social insurance agency). 

STEP 3: Receive Results and Make Payment 

• Social Insurance Agency: Will verify your documents and then notify you of the specific contribution amount. 

• Make social insurance payments: According to the registered amount. 

• Receive Social Insurance Book: After completing the procedures and payment. 

Note: The process may involve minor adjustments depending on the locality and specific time. 

6. How to Make Payments?

You can choose a suitable payment method. This flexibility allows for greater autonomy. (Refer to Article 11 of Decree 134/2015/ND-CP). (Tham khảo Điều 11 Nghị định 134/2015/NĐ-CP). 

6.1. Periodic Voluntary Social Insurance Contributions:

• Monthly: Regular payment each month.

• Every 3 months: Lump-sum payment for 3 months.

• Every 6 months: Lump-sum payment for 6 months.

• Every 12 months: Lump-sum payment for the whole year.

6.2. Đóng BHXH tự nguyện một lần cho nhiều năm về sau:

• Bạn có thể đóng một lần cho tối đa 5 năm tiếp theo.

• Ưu điểm: Giảm thiểu thủ tục hành chính. Không lo gián đoạn thời gian đóng.

• Nhược điểm: Yêu cầu một khoản tiền khá lớn.

6.3. Đóng bù cho những năm còn thiếu:

• 6.3. Making Up Contributions for Missing Years:

• You can make a one-time payment to cover the missing years.

• Interest is applied for the compensation as per regulations.

Common Payment Channels:

• Direct payment at the social insurance agency.

• Through social insurance collection agents.

• Bank transfer (supported by some localities and collection agents).

7. Important Notes When Participating in Voluntary Social Insurance

To ensure your benefits, please note the following points: 

• Determine a suitable income level: Choose a contribution amount that fits your financial capacity and ensures long-term sustainability. 

• Understand the contribution period: The contribution duration directly affects your pension. 

• Monitor your social insurance contributions: Regularly check to ensure accuracy. You can check via the VssID application of Vietnam Social Insurance. https://vssid.bhxh.gov.vn/ 

• Update information when changes occur: Address, phone number, personal details. 

• Thoroughly research the schemes and benefits: Ensure you understand what you are entitled to. 

• Be cautious of inaccurate information: Trust only information from the social insurance agency.

Conclusion 

Contributing to voluntary social insurance is a smart decision. It provides financial peace of mind, especially in old age. Whether you are a self-employed individual or a housewife, voluntary social insurance is an optimal choice. With the latest policies and regulations, your benefits are increasingly secured. 

Join voluntary social insurance today. Ensure a comfortable and secure life for the future.

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