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Pension fairness in China

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  • Wang, Lijian
  • Béland, Daniel
  • Zhang, Sifeng

Abstract

The most populous country in the world, China faces immense socio-economic challenges providing adequate pensions to its growing elderly population. In that country, pensions available to older people vary considerably across the country's various pension schemes. This paper calculates the fairness coefficients of these pensions based on pension income, contributions, demand, and generational gap. The analysis shows that the pension fairness coefficients are 0.53, 0.38, 0.95, and 0.82, respectively. Synthesizing pension income, contributions, demand, and generational gap, the paper suggests that, in China, old-age pensions across different schemes are absolutely unfair. Finally, it analyzes the superficial and deeper factors behind pension unfairness in China before providing policy recommendations for improving the fairness of the country's pension system.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Lijian & Béland, Daniel & Zhang, Sifeng, 2014. "Pension fairness in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 28(C), pages 25-36.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:chieco:v:28:y:2014:i:c:p:25-36
    DOI: 10.1016/j.chieco.2013.11.003
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    2. Hanewald, Katja & Jia, Ruo & Liu, Zining, 2021. "Why is inequality higher among the old? Evidence from China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    3. Wei Zheng & Zining Liu & Ruo Jia, 2019. "How private sector participation improves retirement preparation: A case from China," The Geneva Papers on Risk and Insurance - Issues and Practice, Palgrave Macmillan;The Geneva Association, vol. 44(1), pages 123-147, January.
    4. Anping Chen & Nicolaas Groenewold, 2017. "An increase in the retirement age in China: the regional economic effects," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(7), pages 702-721, February.
    5. Wang, Wen & Shi, Hongyu & Li, Qiang, 2023. "Pension gap between the Chinese public and nonpublic sectors： evidence in the context of the integration of dual-track pension schemes," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 664-688.
    6. Wang, Feng & Shen, Ke & Cai, Yong, 2019. "Expansion of public transfers in China: Who are the beneficiaries?," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 14(C).
    7. Wang, Lijian & Béland, Daniel & Zhang, Sifeng, 2014. "Pension financing in China: Is there a looming crisis?," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 143-154.
    8. Li Yang, 2021. "Towards equity and sustainability? China’s pension system reform moves center stage," World Inequality Lab Working Papers halshs-03215912, HAL.
    9. Andrea Čajková & Peter Čajka, 2021. "Challenges and Sustainability of China’s Socio-Economic Stability in the Context of Its Demographic Development," Societies, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-20, March.
    10. Li, Jinjing & Wang, Xinmei & Xu, Jing & Yuan, Chang, 2020. "The role of public pensions in income inequality among elderly households in China 1988–2013," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    11. Li, Zhigang & Wu, Mingqin, 2018. "Education and welfare program compliance: Firm-level evidence from a pension reform in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 1-13.
    12. Jia, Hongbo, 2017. "An evaluation of pension differentials between Chinese private and public sectors from perspective of protection and incentives over the lifecycle," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 44(C), pages 16-29.
    13. Li Yang, 2021. "Towards equity and sustainability? China’s pension system reform moves center stage," Working Papers halshs-03215912, HAL.

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