The death benefit scheme for workers enrolled in social insurance is a crucial policy aimed at ensuring social security. Starting from 2025, several new changes will be implemented to provide greater benefits for the dependents of deceased workers. Let’s delve into the regulations before and after July 1, 2025.
Death Benefits Before July 1, 2025
Before July 1, 2025, death benefits were applied according to the Social Insurance Law of 2014. This includes three types of support: funeral allowance, monthly bereavement allowance, and one-time bereavement allowance. Among these, the monthly bereavement allowance plays a vital role in maintaining the livelihood of vulnerable dependents following the worker’s death.
Eligible Recipients for Monthly Bereavement Allowance
According to Article 67, Paragraph 2 of the Social Insurance Law of 2014, there are four groups of dependents eligible to receive the monthly bereavement allowance. These include:
- Minor children or severely disabled children.
- Spouses who are unable to work.
- Elderly parents who cannot work.
- Other individuals directly supporting the worker.
Amount of Monthly Bereavement Allowance
The amount of the monthly bereavement allowance is calculated based on the minimum wage. Specifically:
- Each dependent receives 50% of the minimum wage.
- If the dependent has no direct caregiver, the allowance increases to 70% of the minimum wage.
Currently, the minimum wage is 2,340,000 VND. This means each dependent can receive a minimum of 1,170,000 VND/month and a maximum of 1,638,000 VND/month.
Note that if a worker passes away, the number of dependents receiving the monthly bereavement allowance does not exceed 4 people. In cases where two or more workers die in the same family, dependents will receive double the stipulated allowance.
Changes Effective July 1, 2025
Starting July 1, 2025, death benefits will be applied according to the Social Insurance Law of 2024. While the eligible recipients and conditions for the monthly bereavement allowance remain unchanged, there have been notable changes in how the allowance is calculated.
New Calculation Based on “Reference Level”
Instead of basing the allowance on the minimum wage as before, from July 1, 2025, the monthly bereavement allowance will be calculated based on the “reference level”. This new concept aims to ensure long-term benefits for the dependents of workers.
- When the minimum wage has not been abolished, the reference level equals the minimum wage.
- After the abolition of the minimum wage, the reference level will not be lower than the current minimum wage.
Therefore, the monthly bereavement allowance starting from July 1, 2025, will be equal to or higher than before.
Advantages of the Improvements
Switching the calculation basis to the reference level ensures that the allowance remains appropriate with economic and social conditions. This helps stabilize the living standards of dependents, especially in the face of inflation and price fluctuations.
Conclusion
The death benefit scheme, particularly the monthly bereavement allowance, plays a crucial role in protecting the rights of dependents of workers. The changes introduced in 2025 not only inherit but also enhance existing regulations, ensuring sustainable social security. For more detailed information, readers can refer to official sources or contact the nearest social insurance office.
Source: Dân trí Online
