Freelance workers participating in voluntary social insurance are happy to receive maternity benefits under new regulations.

After the Law on Social Insurance 2024 took effect from July 1, 2025, many freelance workers participating in voluntary social insurance have happily received maternity benefits.

Multiply the joy

On July 1, 2025, the Social Insurance Law 2024 officially took effect, creating a legal milestone when millions of freelance workers across the country can enjoy maternity benefits thanks to participating in voluntary social insurance. In Ha Tinh , the first cases to enjoy this regime told touching stories, spreading strong belief in the superiority of the policy.

Ms. Dao Thi My talks with social insurance officers.

Ms. Dao Thi My (Hong Ha residential group, Tran Phu ward, Ha Tinh province) has been participating in voluntary social insurance for 5 years. For her, when she first joined, her only purpose was to have a pension when she retired, and she never thought that one day she would receive maternity benefits from this policy.

On July 14, 2025, Ms. My gave birth, which she called “double luck”, because from July 1, 2025, maternity benefits for voluntary social insurance participants officially took effect. “If I had given birth earlier, I probably wouldn’t have been able to enjoy this regime. The amount of money is not large, but it is timely attention, a great source of encouragement, for me to have more confidence and continue to accompany voluntary social insurance for a long time”, Ms. My shared. Also from the initial thought of “paying for a pension”, now Ms. My has realized that voluntary social insurance is her companion throughout her life.

The case of Ms. Tong Thi Thao (Tan Quy Residential Group, Tran Phu Ward, Ha Tinh) is a bit more special. After stopping paying compulsory social insurance from the beginning of 2025, her husband, Mr. Truong Van Hung, encouraged her to switch to voluntary social insurance. Not only taking care of himself (Mr. Hung has participated for 2 years), Mr. Hung also completed the procedures and paid directly for his wife in the hope that in the future, his wife would be protected by the humane policies of the Party and the State. The moment she received the maternity allowance, Ms. Thao was very happy, and Mr. Hung was more confident in his right choice.

Ms. Tran Thi Le Hoa, Tra Lien commune, Da Nang city, had a "double" joy when she welcomed her child and received 2 million VND in maternity allowance from participating in voluntary social insurance. "With a not too large but extremely meaningful amount of money, this amount of money helps my family reduce the financial burden during the period of taking care of a young child, and at the same time affirms the profound humanity of the voluntary social insurance policy", Ms. Hoa happily shared.

Ms. Hoa said: “I have participated in voluntary social insurance since 2022. Initially, I only participated in voluntary social insurance with the hope of having a pension in the future. I did not expect to also receive maternity benefits. I am really happy because this support helps cover additional expenses when giving birth.”

According to Tra My Social Insurance, immediately after receiving the information, the Social Insurance staff directly guided and supported Ms. Hoa to complete the necessary procedures. Within just 3 working days, she received the full 2 ​​million VND in maternity allowance. This is not only a joy for Ms. Hoa and her family, but also a clear demonstration of the humanity of the Social Insurance policy.

In Dong Thap province, perhaps Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Mai, residing in Moi hamlet, Long Dinh commune, is the first person in this province to enjoy maternity benefits when participating in voluntary social insurance. Because after 4 days of the Social Insurance Law 2024 taking effect, on July 5, 2025, she was able to enjoy this benefit.

Ms. Mai is currently working as a mat weaver, although her income is not stable. However, with the policy of expanding the number of participants in voluntary social insurance, she proactively registered to participate since May 2020. After more than 5 years of continuous participation in voluntary social insurance, her only thought is to be a freelancer, saving up to have a pension when she is old.

Up to now, Ms. Mai has a family and has a new child. Ms. Mai is eligible to enjoy maternity benefits under the new regulations of the Social Insurance Law. This is the result of efforts not only from individual workers but also from the Social Insurance agency in promoting, mobilizing and supporting people to understand their rights.

Ms. Mai shared: “I was very surprised and touched when I learned that I was eligible for maternity benefits. As a freelancer, I previously thought that I could not have the same benefits as workers and civil servants. Now it is different, I feel more secure with the Social Insurance accompanying me.”

Humane regulations

According to legal experts, one of the biggest breakthroughs of the Social Insurance Law 2024 is the addition of maternity benefits to the voluntary social insurance policy.

Implementing the spirit of Resolution No. 28-NQ/TW, dated May 23, 2018 on gradually expanding voluntary social insurance to other regimes besides retirement and death benefits, the Social Insurance Law 2024 has addressed one of the reasons why the number of people participating in voluntary social insurance is still low and there is a lack of attractive short-term regimes.

For example, the case of Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong, residing in Phan Thiet ward, Lam Dong province, gave birth on October 2, 2025. She works as a garment worker at a garment company, so she is entitled to maternity benefits under compulsory social insurance, but surprisingly, her husband, who participates in voluntary social insurance, is also entitled to maternity benefits when his wife gives birth.

“I used to work as a garment worker with my wife, but then I quit my job and just joined voluntary social insurance in April 2024. I just thought that by joining voluntary social insurance, I would have a pension in my old age so that I wouldn’t depend on my children, but I didn’t expect to receive maternity benefits as well. So I have an extra 2 million to buy diapers and milk for my child,” said Mr. Do Van Ngoc - Ms. Hong’s husband.

According to the Law on Social Insurance 2024, employees participating in voluntary social insurance (including both female and male employees) when giving birth or whose wife gives birth, if meeting the conditions (paying social insurance for 6 months or more within 12 months before giving birth), will receive a subsidy of 2 million VND for each child born and each fetus from 22 weeks old or older that is still in the uterus or dies during labor. In case both father and mother pay voluntary social insurance, only one person will receive the benefit.

The funding for implementing this subsidy will be guaranteed by the state budget, and the Government will decide to adjust the maternity subsidy level in accordance with socio-economic development conditions and the state budget capacity of each period.

The new regulations on maternity benefits in the 2024 Social Insurance Law not only bring practical benefits to employees but also demonstrate progress in the social security policy of the Party and State.

Expanding the scope of benefits, being flexible in terms of benefits, and including maternity benefits in voluntary social insurance will help encourage more people to participate in social insurance, ensuring the rights of women and their families during this important stage of life.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/chinh-sach-bhxh-bhyt/lao-dong-tu-do-tham-gia-bhxh-tu-nguyen-vui-mung-nhan-che-do-thai-san-theo-quy-dinh-moi-20251007145959898.htm