According to the Law on Teachers, those eligible for retirement at a higher age include teachers with the titles of professor, associate professor, or doctoral degree, and teachers working in specialized fields or disciplines.
The option to retire at an older age is only applicable when the following conditions are simultaneously met: the educational institution has a need; the teacher is in good health, volunteers, and meets the required standards and conditions.
The maximum extension of retirement age is 5 years for educators with a doctoral degree, 7 years for associate professors, and 10 years for professors. During this extended period, educators must not hold any managerial positions.
Recently, the Government issued Decree 93/2026/ND-CP detailing and guiding the implementation of several articles of the Law on Teachers. Article 19 of this decree clearly stipulates that teachers working in specialized or highly specialized fields can retire at a higher age.Specifically, educators in specialized fields such as healthcare , culture, arts, physical education, and sports, even without the title of professor, associate professor, or a doctoral degree, may still have their retirement age extended if they possess relevant expertise and professional qualifications.
The extension of the retirement age for teachers in specialized fields mentioned above shall not exceed 5 years.
The Minister of Health and the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism shall specify the details regarding the subjects, standards, and conditions for teachers to be eligible for retirement at a higher age.
The process and procedures for retiring at an older age.
Each year, public educational institutions, based on their development orientation, the organization's human resource situation, and the requirements of job positions, will announce their policy and needs for employing teachers who retire at an older age.
The application for retirement at an older age includes:
- Application for retirement at an older age (according to Form No. 02 in the Appendix attached to Decree 93/2026/ND-CP);
- Teacher's personnel file as prescribed by law regarding civil servants;
- Documents and evidence demonstrating eligibility for retirement at an older age.
Teachers who meet the prescribed conditions must submit a complete application dossier either in person at the public educational institution or online through the information system or public service portal of the public educational institution at least 6 months before their retirement date.
Within 30 working days of receiving all valid documents, public educational institutions will review, evaluate, and decide on extending the retirement age, including the applicable duration for each individual teacher.
If the extension of employment is not approved, the public educational institution must provide a written response stating the reasons.
The decision to retire at an older age is sent to relevant organizations and individuals at least 3 months before the retirement date, and is also updated in the teacher's electronic record as required.
Based on this decision, public educational institutions shall sign agreements or contract addendums with teachers regarding benefits and policies in accordance with the law.
