Even before this change, though, nearly 70 per cent of seniors intended to return to work after retirement, according to the 2022 survey findings of Chinese recruitment website 51job.com.
Take, for example, former truck driver Liu Chunyuan. After retiring at 55, he has spent more than a decade offering matchmaking services in public parks in Beijing to earn extra cash.
“The specific amount doesn’t matter; around 700, 800, 1,000 yuan per month would be good,” he said.
The 69-year-old receives approximately 3,000 yuan in pension benefits, which barely covers his and his wife’s monthly expenses. His 40-year-old son, a former tech worker, does not provide consistent financial support.
Hence, despite having savings exceeding 100,000 yuan, Liu continues to work to ensure he has enough for a rainy day.
“This amount … is just enough to get by,” he said. “To achieve a truly decent standard of living, it wouldn’t be enough.”
WATCH: Rethinking retirement in China — Why this retiree needs a side hustle to make ends meet (6:08)
