Currently, participants in voluntary social insurance (VSI) only receive retirement and survivorship benefits, unlike those in mandatory social insurance who are entitled to broader coverage.

Under the draft amendment to the Social Insurance Law, a maternity benefit has been added to VSI.

The amendment proposes that VSI participants, including both men and women, will be eligible for a maternity allowance of VND 2 million per child if they have contributed to VSI for at least six months within the 12 months prior to childbirth.

This maternity benefit will be funded by the state budget, and VSI participants will not be required to pay additional contributions.

The inclusion of this benefit aims to make VSI more appealing, particularly to younger workers, thereby increasing participation rates.

Suggestions to enhance VSI benefits

1. Health Insurance (HI) Inclusion

Representatives from Hanoi Social Insurance noted that VSI is less attractive because it lacks the benefits available under mandatory social insurance. Specifically, VSI participants do not receive HI cards and must purchase them separately through family HI schemes. Currently, HI cards are only issued to VSI participants upon retirement.

To address this, it was suggested that:

VSI participants who have contributed for more than five years receive HI coverage with 80% medical expense reimbursement.
Upon contributing for 15-20 years and becoming eligible for retirement benefits, HI coverage should increase to 95% reimbursement.

2. Adjusting Maternity Benefits

The draft law proposes a flat-rate maternity allowance of VND 2 million per child. However, representatives suggested that the benefit should be based on the contribution level to ensure fairness.

For example: Higher contributions should result in higher maternity allowances; The benefit should be calculated as a percentage of the participant’s average contribution over their insurance period, rather than being fixed.

Bui Sy Loi, former Vice Chairman of the National Assembly’s Social Affairs Committee, argued that VSI participants should receive maternity benefits comparable to their contribution levels.

He highlighted disparities: while mandatory social insurance provides five benefits (sick leave, maternity, occupational diseases, retirement, and survivorship), VSI participants have only two benefits.

He proposed that VSI participants should receive at least three months of maternity leave with a monthly allowance, even if it’s modest (e.g., VND 1 million per month). This approach would ensure equity and increase VSI’s appeal.

Enhancing VSI benefits, particularly by adding health insurance and equitable maternity allowances, is crucial to attracting more participants. Policymakers are urged to refine the draft law to ensure fairness, sustainability, and alignment with the needs of workers, fostering broader participation and strengthening Vietnam’s social insurance system.

Vu Diep