For expatriates who have lived and worked in Vietnam, understanding how to withdraw one-time social insurance contributions upon leaving the country is essential. This guide serves as the most detailed and up-to-date resource, based on Vietnam’s Social Insurance Law No. 58/2014/QH13, Decree No. 143/2018/ND-CP, Decree 115/2015/ND-CP, and official guidance from the Vietnam Social Security (VSS).

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What is a one-time social insurance withdrawal?

In Vietnam, social insurance contributions are mandatory for employees, including foreigners with a labor contract exceeding 1 year. These contributions include monthly deductions from the employee's salary and matching contributions by the employer to various social funds:

• Retirement & Survivorship Fund (Article 60, Law No. 58/2014/QH13)

• Sickness & Maternity Fund

• Occupational Accident & Disease Fund

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If an expatriate ceases employment and leaves Vietnam, they may be eligible to withdraw these contributions in a single lump-sum payout, also called a one-time social insurance withdrawal.

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Conditions for one-time social withdrawal

According to Clause 6, Article 9 of Decree 143/2018/ND-CP, instead of having to wait one year after leaving the job like Vietnamese workers, foreign workers only need to terminate their labor contract to be eligible for one-time social insurance (SI) benefits upon request. Accordingly, foreign workers participating in SI will be eligible for one-time SI benefits if they fall into one of the following cases:

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1. Reaching retirement age without 20 years of social insurance contributions (per Article 54 of the Social Insurance Law 2014).

• The current retirement age is 61 for men and 56 years 4 months for women in 2024, increasing annually per Decree 135/2020/ND-CP.

• Foreigners working in hazardous or dangerous jobs may retire earlier based on special provisions.

2. Suffering from life-threatening illnesses, such as:

• Cancer, poliomyelitis, cirrhosis with ascites, leprosy, severe tuberculosis, AIDS (HIV in final stage), or any other conditions as defined by the Ministry of Health.

• Also includes employees with a labor capacity reduction of 81% or more who are unable to manage daily activities independently (Article 60 of the Social Insurance Law and Circular 56/2017/TT-BYT amended by Circular 18/2022/TT-BYT).

3. Meeting retirement age but no longer residing in Vietnam:

• This condition applies to those who qualify for retirement but relocate abroad.

• Labor export workers or those on short-term overseas trips are not eligible.

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Termination of labor contract or expiry of work permit without renewal:

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When a foreign worker’s work permit or practicing certificate expires without extension, they are entitled to a one-time withdrawal.

• Continuing to work without renewal may result in fines from VND 15 to 25 million, and deportation as per Clause 3, Article 32 of Decree 12/2022/ND-CP.

• Employers may face additional penalties from VND 30 to 75 million depending on the number of unauthorized foreign employees.

Note: If a foreign employee processes the claim and then returns to work in Vietnam shortly afterward, the Social Insurance Department may demand repayment of the withdrawn amount, and administrative penalties may apply.

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What are the required documentations?

To claim your contributions in a single lump-sum payout, the following documentations are required:

• Form 13 & 14-HSB: These official forms are required to initiate the claim. Obtain them from your local Vietnam Social Security (VSS) office or download them from the official website: https://vss.gov.vn

• Recommended evidence includes foreign-issued visas, permanent residency cards, or proof of nationality application abroad.

• Passport: Include a notarized Vietnamese translation of your full passport, with all pages showing your identity, visa, and immigration stamps.

• Labour Contract: A copy of the contract you signed with your last employer in Vietnam.

• Employment Termination Decision: A formal letter from your employer confirming the official end of your employment. If unavailable, an employment certificate or contract expiration notice may be accepted.

• Work Permit :A copy of your expired work permit or proof that you are no longer authorized to work in Vietnam.

• Social Insurance Book and Contribution Records: If issued to you, the Social Insurance (SI) Book tracks all your SI contributions. If you don’t have it, your former employer or the local VSS (Vietnam Social Security) office may be able to retrieve your records. These records, including SI papers and contribution statements, confirm how long and how much you and your employer have contributed to the system.

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Simplify your one-time social insurance withdrawal

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How to submit your application for one-time social insurance withdrawal?

There are three official options:

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Option A: Direct in-person submission

• Visit any district or provincial Social Insurance Office in Vietnam - no need to return to your original work location.

• Bring a valid ID or passport for identity confirmation and all the aforementioned required documents.

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Option B: Through an authorized representative

• If you are abroad, appoint someone in Vietnam using:

• Form 13-HSB (authorization form per Decision 166/QD-BHXH)

• A notarized power of attorney (civil law form, signed and certified at a notary office)

• The authorized person must:

• Present their original ID card

• Submit the full dossier on your behalf

• Provide a notarized copy of your passport and authorization form

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Option C: Online submission (digital only)

• Visit https://dichvucong.gov.vn or https://dichvucong.baohiemxahoi.gov.vn

• Log in or create a national public service account

• Digitally sign and upload scanned copies of your dossier (PDF/JPEG formats)

• Monitor application status through the portal

• Note: Only available for users with valid digital signatures (USB token or mobile CA)

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How to calculate benefits for one-time social insurance withdrawal

According to Decree 115/2015/ND-CP, Article 8, Clause 2; the formula for one-time social insurance is calculated as follow: 

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Notes: (SI stands for Social Insurance)

• For employees who participate in SI program for 1 year or more: 

• If the contribution period is from 1 to 6 months, it is counted as 0.5 year

• If the contribution period is from 7 to 11 months, it is counted as 1 year  

• For employees who participate in SI program for less than 1 year:

• The estimated claimed amount is 22% of the average monthly SI salary multiplied by the number of months of contributed SI. The total amount received will not exceed 2 months of the average SI salary.

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Example:

A foreign employee worked in Vietnam from January 2022 to September 2024. Their SI salary was:

• VND 29.8M for 18 months

• VND 36M for 12 months

• VND 46.8M for 3 months

Average monthly SI salary = VND 33.6M

Lump-sum payout = 2 × VND 33.6M × 3 years = VND 201.6M

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Simplify one-time social insurance withdrawals with Manpower Vietnam’s staffing expertise

Managing one-time social insurance withdrawals for departing expatriate employees can be complex and time-consuming. With around 20 years in Vietnam, Manpower Vietnam offers a compliant, end-to-end staffing solutions and HR compliance service that ensure your business meets all legal obligations in Vietnam.

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Manpower Vietnamteam handles everything, from calculating entitlements to preparing and submitting documentation, so your HR team can stay focused on strategic priorities. Whether you're managing a single exit or scaling across multiple locations, we help reduce administrative burden, ensure compliance, and protect your business from costly penalties.

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