中国统一城镇职工养老保险制度

Over the next few days, China is set to discuss how to implement its plan for a unified pension system. Last month, the government unveiled measures to bring all urban residents across the country under the same system. Experts say the move will help break down divisions between the private and public sectors, to create a fairer program for all.
 
A unified pension system. The plan has been in the pipelines for some time, but in December, law-makers urged the government to speed up the unification of private and public systems.
 
"The reform will establish the same pension system for all urban residents. The basic idea of the reform is to build a pension system for Party, government and public institutions with the same qualities as that of enterprises, and break the old dual system." said Ma Kai, Chinese vice premier.
 
China's national pension system is complex. It has different programs for rural and urban residents.

There's then a second division for urban residents...with the line drawn between civil servants and those in the private sector. This is known as the dual-system.

Under the new plan, ALL urban workers will pay 8 percent of their monthly salary into the scheme, while their organization will pay 20 percent.

This is seen as move to even the scales... in a dual-system that currently favors government workers.

Experts say that the dual system also hinders free flow of staff between private and public agencies. Public outcry over the inequality of the system has also been mounting. The unification will help create a fair environment for people in different walks of life.
 
On average, retired workers from the private sector receive 1,900 yuan a month. That's about 300 US dollars.

Their counterparts in the civil and public sector get TWICE as much every month.

Employees for private firms pay for their pension, and usually get a pension equal to about half of their final salary. Public workers get more, without having to contribute at all.

Professor Zheng Gongcheng of Renmin University of China, also a member of the NPC Standing Committee, believes the unified system will put everyone on equal footing.

"The reform pursues justice in pension systems for different groups of people. Despite a reduction in the pensions of civil servants, occupational annuities will soften their losses." said Zheng Gongcheng, member of NPC Standing Committee.

The government is aiming to cover 900 million people by 2017, and one billion by 2020.