Pensions increase for 15 consecutive years

Elderly residents take part in an art class at a day-care center in a citizen service station in Jiaxing sub-district, Shanghai's Hongkou district, on Aug 30, 2019. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/chinadaily.com.cn]

In March, an official notice jointly released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the Ministry of Finance said China would increase the basic pension payments for retirees of enterprises, government agencies and public institutions by 5 percent from the 2018 level this year.

The authorities have raised basic pensions for 15 consecutive years, and the latest rise is expected to benefit 118 million pensioners nationwide.