Thinking of Retiring in China?
Here’s What
You Should Know
Recently, we have received many messages from foreign friends:
"I have been working in China for nearly 15 years. Can I retire here?"
"I heard that the retirement age is going to change. Will it be the same for foreigners?"
"After changing cities for work, will my social insurance be reset to zero?"
Gradually postponed starting from 2025
Starting from 2025, China will implement a "gradual delay" plan for the legal retirement age. This applies to foreign insured individuals as well.
How exactly will it change?
Starting at the age of 60, gradually delaying until the age of 63.
(Front-line workers, production positions)
Start at the age of 50, and gradually extend to 55.
(In management and technical positions) Start at the age of 55, and gradually be postponed to 58.
Minor reminder: The term "gradually" here means delaying for several months each year, not in one step. Regarding your specific retirement date, you can keep an eye on the official announcements from your local social insurance bureau.
A common misconception:
Some foreign friends believe that "expats must return to their home countries to retire".
❌ Wrong. As long as you pay the employee pension insurance in China normally and meet the conditions, you can legally apply for retirement and receive the pension monthly in China.
Social insurance contribution period
15 years → 20-year transition period
This is another tough threshold. Currently, the policy is divided into two phases:
By the end of 2029: A total of 15 years of contributions will be sufficient.
Starting from January 1, 2030: The minimum contribution period will gradually be raised to 20 years.
That is to say:
If you reach the retirement age before 2030, the 15-year standard will still apply;
If you retire after 2030, you may need to contribute for 20 years (specifically according to the transitional policies at that time).
Very important: This "15 years" or "20 years" is calculated cumulatively and does not require consecutive periods. Switching jobs or moving to a different city is no problem.
Social insurance records can "follow you"
Many foreign friends have lived in more than one city in China:
Shanghai → Beijing → Shenzhen→..., or they might have returned to their home country and then come back to work in China later.
Good news:
In China, social insurance relationships allow for cross-regional transfer and continuation. As long as you transfer the payment records from your previous city to the new place of insurance registration, your payment period will be combined and accumulated, and it will not be reset to zero or affect your future retirement benefits.
Practical advice: When leaving your current job, make sure to ask your employer to issue a "Pension Contribution Certificate". After moving to a new city, hand it over to your new employer or the local social insurance agency to complete the transfer. Nowadays, many cities support online processing, which is very convenient.
How old do you plan to be when you retire in China? Or have you met any foreign friends who have successfully retired in China? Please feel free to share your stories in the comment section!
If you find it useful, please remember to give a like and a share to your foreign colleagues or friends around you.
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