The structure of employment of pensioners in China in the context of reforming the pension system

Abstract

In the article the results of sociological research, directed to the study of pensioners’ employment structure in China under the situation of pension system’s reformation and gradual increase of retirement age, are presented. It is demonstrated that the level of pensioners’ employment in China remains relatively low. The major incentives to continue labor activities are of economic origin and deal with the low pension and desire to have savings for the future. Low wages and unfavorable terms of work are becoming the main barriers to employment of working pensioners. As the reason for their unemployment the non-working pensioners name the absence of vacancies, corresponding to their qualifications. It is established that the further labor activities for almost half of the pensioners is accompanied by a change of place of work and / or profession. There is an outflow of pensioners from such spheres of employment as power structures (army, security agencies), government bodies, finance and insurance, and industry. Agriculture is becoming the “accepting” industry for pensioners. After retirement, the number of employees in state-owned enterprises is reduced. Simultaneously, there is an increase in the share of pensioners in private enterprises; they become entrepreneurs or the self-employed. At the same time, pensioners are often employed in low-skilled labor. In this regard, the reform of China's pension system, including raising the retirement age, should be accompanied by the development of measures to promote the employment of the elderly, taking into account both quantitative and qualitative aspects. Among them are: the subsidizing employment for pensioners, promoting the education of the elderly, developing measures for additional social support for working pensioners.