In view of the current phenomenon that the pensions of the elderly in rural areas are too low, there is a voice in society that advocates raising the pensions of peasants to the same level as those of urban government personnel.
At present, the pension of the elderly in rural areas of China is generally low, and the monthly subsidy amount is often less than 200 yuan. This is in great contrast with the monthly pension of more than 10,000 yuan for urban government personnel.
The elderly in rural areas have been engaged in agricultural production for a long time and have made great contributions to the country's industrialization development. After the reform and opening up, they lost their original social security and their living standards were generally low. Therefore, some experts and scholars have proposed that the level of peasant pensions should be the same as those of urban government personnel.
This proposition is supported by a number of groups. This, they argue, helps bridge the rural-urban divide and achieve social equity. Farmers have made important contributions to the country's development and should be rewarded accordingly.
Raising the level of pensions for peasants to the same level as those of urban government personnel can increase the sense of gain of the elderly in rural areas and improve their living security.
However, there were also objections. Opponents argue that the government personnel are engaged in intellectual work, and the working environment and occupational risks are lower than those of peasants.
They also pay higher pension insurance rates. If the pension of peasants is raised by a large amount only on the basis of historical contributions, it will inevitably affect the rights and interests of the current insured persons and is not in line with the basic principles of social insurance.
On the whole, it is believed that on the basis of maintaining the relative stability of the pension system for government personnel, we should gradually raise the level of retirement security at the grassroots level in rural areas. This requires the establishment of a multi-level retirement insurance system suited to the characteristics of rural areas.
For rural workers who actually participate in agricultural and industrial production, a pension system commensurate with their contribution level can be established. For the unemployed, low-income rural elderly,** their basic living needs should be guaranteed through appropriate subsidies.
This approach not only takes into account the rights and interests of different groups of people, but also makes the overall social security system develop in a fairer and more effective direction. It bridges the gap between urban and rural areas, allowing the elderly to be provided for, without destroying the original system and ensuring the sustainability of the system.
This direction of reform, which pursues "relative fairness" rather than "absolute equality", is the most desirable. Only by improving the social security system and providing for the elderly can we build a harmonious and stable society.