China Pension Audits Uncover Widespread Payments to Dead People

Government audits released in August across multiple Chinese provinces have uncovered millions of yuan in improper pension payments, including funds disbursed to deceased individuals, highlighting significant vulnerabilities in the country’s vast social security system.

In Shandong province, an audit report disclosed that between 2022 and 2024, social security offices in two cities and 48 counties improperly paid 2.41 million yuan ($335,389) to 505 deceased individuals. The report also found that 13 cities failed to clear personal pension and annuity accounts for 1,987 people who had been dead for more than a year, leaving 19.77 million yuan ($2.75 million) in limbo.