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One country, two systems: evidence on retirement patterns in China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 October 2021

John Giles ,
Xiaoyan Lei ,
Gewei Wang ,
Yafeng Wang  and
Yaohui Zhao
John Giles
Affiliation:
World Bank, Washington, DC, USA IZA, Bonn, Germany
Xiaoyan Lei
Affiliation:
IZA, Bonn, Germany Peking University, Beijing, China
Gewei Wang
Affiliation:
Peking University, Beijing, China
Yafeng Wang
Affiliation:
Peking University, Beijing, China
Yaohui Zhao*
Affiliation:
IZA, Bonn, Germany Peking University, Beijing, China
*
*Corresponding author. Email: yaohuizhao@gmail.com
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Abstract

This paper documents the patterns and correlates of retirement in China using a nationally representative survey, the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. After documenting stark differences in retirement ages between urban and rural residents, the paper shows that China's urban residents retire earlier than workers in many Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries and that rural residents continue to work until advanced ages. Differences in access to generous pensions and economic resources explain much of the urban–rural difference in retirement rates. The paper suggests that reducing disincentives created by China's Urban Employee Pension system, improving health status, providing childcare and elder care support may all facilitate longer working lives. Given spouse preferences for joint retirement, creating incentives for women to retire later may facilitate longer working lives for both men and women.

Keywords

AgingCHARLSChinapensionsretirementurban–rural gapJ26O15O17O53
Type
Article
Information
Journal of Pension Economics & Finance , Volume 22 , Special Issue 2: Institutional Influences of Retirement, Health and Well-Being , April 2023 , pp. 188 - 210
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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Footnotes

All authors contributed equally.

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