Recently, on social networking forums, there was information that the elderly and disabled people are having difficulty receiving pensions and social insurance benefits because from January 1, 2025, they must update biometric data and use their own phone to withdraw money via bank card.

Regarding the above information, in an exchange with VietNamNet, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Huyen, Director of the Finance - Accounting Department (Vietnam Social Security) said that regarding the form of payment via account, the requirement of biometrics is a bank regulation. To ensure security, people using bank account apps are required to perform biometrics.

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Currently, Vietnam Social Security pays pensions and monthly benefits through three main forms: bank accounts (ATM), cash and authorization. Photo: Nam Khanh

On the side of Vietnam Social Security, when knowing the information about having to perform biometrics, they also sent a document to the State Bank requesting banks to support pensioners and social insurance beneficiaries to perform biometrics. The banks also agreed to support according to the request of Vietnam Social Security.

Mr. Huyen said that according to the Government's direction, the Social Insurance agency only encourages payment of pensions and social insurance benefits received through accounts, not in cash.

In addition, the Social Insurance still maintains the payment of monthly pensions and social insurance benefits in cash. The Vietnam Social Insurance has signed a contract authorizing the Vietnam Post Corporation to carry out cash payments at payment points.

For the elderly, sick, and ill who are unable to go to the payment point, the Social Insurance Agency requires the post office to make payments at home. The Social Insurance Law 2024, effective from July 1, 2025, also clearly stipulates that people over 80 years old must pay benefits at home.

In addition to the above two forms, Social Insurance also stipulates a third form of authorizing another person (children, siblings, friends) to receive on behalf of the beneficiary, which can be received in cash or through an account, depending on the specific circumstances of each beneficiary.

“The payment of pensions and monthly allowances to people is implemented very flexibly by the Social Insurance Agency. The Social Insurance industry is constantly reforming administrative procedures, moving towards cashless payments and reducing intermediaries so that people can receive money as soon as possible,” said Mr. Huyen.

Currently, the whole country has nearly 3.4 million people receiving monthly pensions and social insurance benefits. Normally, pensions and benefits will be paid on the first two days of the month, the 1st and 2nd. In case of a holiday, the payment will be delayed, but it must be ensured that people receive the money early.