Shandong Provincial Civil Affairs Department head Zhuang Yan has drawn criticism after saying the public should see “the individual as the first person responsible for elderly care.” He made the remark at an Oct. 16 provincial press conference, placing it within a section on family roles. He said personal retirement education and planning guidance would be added to aging-awareness and senior education programs.
The comment came six days after Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Li Zhong said authorities would use “data matching” to find uninsured people and bring them into the social security system.
Shandong resident Ms. Lu said the message amounted to telling people not to rely on the state. She added that falling birth rates make depending on children unrealistic as well. She noted that rural seniors receive only 100 to 200 yuan ($15–$30) or 200 to 300 yuan ($30–$44) a month, barely enough to live on. Online commenters complained of unfair contributions and benefits, noting that payments keep rising while retirement ages are pushed back.
Shandong has over 25 million seniors, a number growing by about one million annually. Officials say the province has 24,000 community care facilities and 98,000 home-based care beds.
Shandong financial scholar Si Ling said the civil affairs department may be testing public reaction, and that funding for elderly services could shrink.
China’s 2025 budget report showed social insurance fund revenue of about 12.60 trillion yuan ($1.86 trillion), including 2.91 trillion yuan ($431 billion) in government subsidies, against spending of 11.14 trillion yuan ($1.65 trillion). Without subsidies, the shortfall would be about 1.45 trillion yuan ($215 billion).
Separately, Xinhua reported Oct. 19 that former National Council for Social Security Fund deputy chief Wang Wenling was expelled from the party and public office on bribery allegations.
Source: Radio Free Asia, October 21, 2026
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/shehui/2026/10/21/china-elderly-care-ministry-of-human-resources-and-social-security-older-adults-social-security-funds/