Sichuan Dazhou Citizen Fu Hailu: “Suggestions on Raising the Basic Pension Standard for Urban and Rural Residents”

Dear Representative, hello!

I am a grassroots resident of Xuanhan County, Dazhou City, Sichuan Province. During a recent visit to my hometown to see my parents, I personally learned that the relatively low level of pensions for elderly people in rural areas is a prominent problem. I am writing to report the relevant circumstances to you and put forward related suggestions.

I. Basic situation

Although the basic pension for urban and rural residents in China has gradually increased since the establishment of the system, its overall level remains relatively low. Taking nationwide adjustments as an example:

•2009: 55 yuan

•2012: 55 yuan

•2015: 70 yuan

•2018: 88 yuan

•2020: 93 yuan

•2021: 98 yuan

•2022: 103 yuan

•2023: 123 yuan

•2024: 143 yuan

•2025: 163 yuan

Judging from the growth trend, although there has been an increase, the overall level remains relatively low.

•Registered population: approximately 1.2506 million; permanent population: approximately 941,400

•Population aged 60 and above: approximately 206,200, accounting for 21.61%

•Number of people receiving urban and rural residents’ pensions: approximately 189,000, accounting for approximately 20% of the permanent population

At present, most rural elderly people receive between 150 and 220 yuan in pension each month, with an average of approximately 190 yuan.

Take my parents as an example. Both are 73-year-old farmers and receive only approximately 190 yuan in pension each month. At current price levels, this is insufficient to meet basic living needs, and the shortfall is particularly evident as medical expenses increase.

II. Comparison

Taking the pension levels of different groups in Xuanhan County as an example:

Category        Monthly pension        Compared with rural residents

Government employees        Approximately 6,500 yuan        ≈34 times

Enterprise employees        Approximately 3,200 yuan        ≈17 times

Rural residents        Approximately 190 yuan        Baseline

It can be seen that there is a clear gap in pension security between urban and rural areas.

III. Main problems

(I) The level of livelihood security for elderly rural residents remains relatively low

At present, the basic pension for urban and rural residents remains primarily at a “basic safety-net” level, making it difficult to cover basic living needs such as food, medical care and daily expenses. Particularly against the backdrop of continuously rising medical costs, some elderly rural residents face the practical difficulty of “having security, but not enough.”

(II) The burden of family-based elderly care continues to increase

As rural laborers leave their homes for work and family structures become smaller, the traditional family-based elderly-care function is gradually weakening. While supporting their elderly parents, children also face multiple pressures, including education and housing, increasing the overall burden on families.

(III) Unfavorable to unlocking rural consumption potential

The rural elderly population is an important consumer group, but its consumption capacity is limited by low pension levels. Spending is concentrated mainly on basic living expenses, making it difficult to generate stable consumer demand and unfavorable to expanding domestic demand.

(IV) Affecting the sense of social fairness and recognition of the system

The pension gap between urban and rural areas and between different regions is relatively large, which can easily generate a comparative sense of unfairness and affect the public’s recognition of and satisfaction with the social security system.

IV. Relevant suggestions

(I) Gradually raise the minimum basic pension standard for urban and rural residents

It is recommended that the state formulate a medium- and long-term plan for increases and clarify the path for growth.

Suggested directions:

• Link the basic pension to the minimum living allowance standard

•or link it to per capita consumption expenditure of rural residents

It is recommended that by the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the basic pension be raised to no less than 50%–70% of the local minimum living allowance standard.

For example, the basic pension for urban and rural residents in Shanghai has reached a relatively high level, while it remains around 200 yuan in some central and western regions, leaving considerable room for improvement.

(II) Establish a dynamic adjustment mechanism linked to the price index

It is recommended that an institutionalized adjustment mechanism be established:

• Use the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as a basic reference

• Implement a mechanism of “automatic annual adjustments plus appropriate discretionary adjustments”

• At the same time, take into account income growth among residents and fiscal capacity

Ensure that pension levels can effectively respond to price increases and maintain stable real purchasing power.

(III) Increase central fiscal support for central and western regions

In response to regional disparities, it is recommended that:

• The proportion of central fiscal subsidies be increased

• Support be directed toward central and western regions and regions facing fiscal difficulties

• Special funds be established for raising the basic pension standard

For example, pensions in some areas of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces have exceeded 500 yuan, while they remain markedly lower in some western regions.

(IV) Promote coordinated development of urban and rural elderly-care security systems

Suggestions:

1. Raise government subsidy standards and increase the willingness to participate in insurance

2. Improve the mechanism of “more contributions, greater benefits”

3. Promote institutional integration and the transfer and continuation of benefits

Gradually narrow the urban-rural pension gap over the long term and improve the fairness of the system.

V. Conclusion

The issue of elderly care concerns every household and is an important foundation for social stability. As population aging continues to deepen, raising the pension levels of rural residents is not only an important livelihood project, but also an important measure to promote social fairness and expand domestic demand.

We respectfully ask you to pay attention to this issue and promote improvements at relevant meetings.

Respectfully,

Yours sincerely!

Suggestor: Fu Hailu  

Contact: 18008086269 

April 10, 2026