Ageing populations

The new rural social pension insurance programme of Baoji City

M. Henley / Panos Pictures

The local government of Baoji instituted a social pension insurance scheme last year, one of the first of its kind to be introduced in China. Members aged 60 and above can receive a modest monthly pension on the condition that family members - their children and any children-in-law aged 18 plus - have subscribed and paid the insurance premiums. Putting the financial and psychological benefits aside, what is the sustainability of such a scheme?

Previous feature: The Aged Family Uganda (TAFU) 2008 case study of the older persons of Uganda

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