CHINA: Senior Farmers in this Village Get "Pension for Retirement"

BEIJING (Zhejiang News), July 22, 2007: Farmers in Dongjie Village, Hongqiao Town, Leqing City, Zhejiang Province will receive a "pension for their retirement" once they reach the age of 60. Dongjie Village has 677 older people age 60 or above, 320 of which are farmers. These farmers have no income security during old age because they are not eligible for any social security benefits. Since 1993, Dongjie Village has provided a monthly pension to these 320 older persons. At first, the amount was only 15 Yuan per month per person, but it has increased as the village gradually increased its budget. Beginning in 2001, every farmer receives 503 Yuan per month, and the system has been gradually transformed into a farmer's "pension" system. Copyright 2006 Information Center of Zhejiang Provincial Government