This year's government work report proposed that we should actively respond to the aging population and promote the development of the aging cause and pension industry.
Population aging is a worldwide problem, and effective population aging is related to the overall development of the country and the well-being of the people. During the National Two Sessions in 2023, Tan Zhonghe, former vice president and researcher of China Academy of Labor and Social Security Sciences, Peng Jing, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and chairman of the Chongqing Bar Association, Wang Yongmei, associate professor of the School of Labor Economics, Capital University of Economics and Business, Huo Jing, assistant to the general manager of Everyone Pension Insurance Co., Ltd., and other guests were invited to the People's Daily People's Congress, Dialogue and exchange will be held around the theme of "strengthening social security and improving people's well-being".
Many guests participating in the dialogue believed that in the process of building a friendly society for the elderly, we need to constantly explore the "soft" and "hard" aspects to promote the transformation from "providing for the elderly" to "enjoying the elderly".
Actively Responding to Population Aging and Paving the Way of Happiness for the Aged
The report of the Twentieth National Congress of the Communist Party of China proposed to implement the national strategy of actively responding to population aging, develop the elderly care industry, optimize services for the elderly alone and widowed, and promote the realization of basic elderly care services for all the elderly.
Chinese style modernization is a modernization with a huge population. Under this background, how to correctly deal with the aging of the population? Wang Yongmei said that it is necessary to improve the sense of gain, security and happiness of the elderly by establishing a positive aging view of the whole society, building an institutional system compatible with the aging society, building a service system for the elderly facing the whole life cycle, improving family support for the elderly, and promoting digital aging development.
Endowment insurance is an important part of the social security system. The outline of the 14th Five Year Plan proposes to improve the pension insurance system and promote the long-term balance of basic pension insurance funds. We will make basic old-age insurance a national plan, relax the conditions for flexible employment, and achieve full coverage of the legal population of social insurance.
Tan Zhonghe said that China's pension insurance system adopts the unified account combination model, that is, the combination of pooling funds and individual account funds. The system plays an important role in promoting fairness and efficiency, thus ensuring the basic life of all people.
At present, the concept and characteristics of commercial endowment insurance as the third pillar are gradually understood and accepted by consumers. Huo Jing said that insurance provides phased and multi-level insurance services and pension solutions for different families.
"Soft" and "hard" are all implemented to promote high-quality development of elderly care services
In recent years, the consumption market of elderly care services has shown a rapid growth trend, from professional elderly care institution services to providing home community care, from developing elderly products and supplies to cultivating elderly care industry clusters. According to the China Aging Industry Development Report, the consumption market size of the elderly population over 60 years old in China will grow to 106 trillion yuan in 2050. With the continuous emergence of new business forms such as medical treatment and on-site bath, the elderly care service market will usher in new opportunities.
In recent years, China has vigorously promoted the development of smart, healthy and elderly care related industries.
Peng Jing said that in the process of exploring "adaptive aging", we need to constantly explore the "soft" and "hard" aspects. In terms of hardware, elderly care facilities and technology are the basis of "aging", such as the 15 minute service circle, the "aging" transformation of public environment, and the smart elderly care service platform; In terms of software, we should focus on the protection of the rights and interests of the elderly, such as optimizing the elderly litigation service mechanism, improving the elderly's spiritual comfort and care, and creating an atmosphere of respecting, loving, and helping the elderly.
In addition, what principles should be adhered to in the specific process of promoting the cause of aging and the elderly care industry? Wang Yongmei said, first of all, we should straighten out the responsibilities of the government, market and society; Secondly, we should grasp the changing law of the elderly group, and promote the high-quality development of the elderly cause and pension industry; Third, material support and spiritual support should be synchronized, and economic support and service guarantee should be carried out simultaneously to further build an elderly friendly society; Finally, we should pay more attention to the balance and fairness of pension security resources, and pay more attention to rural pension issues.
Strengthen professional support and promote "elderly care" to "enjoy the elderly"
At present, with the continuous development of economy and society, the residents' concept of providing for the aged is gradually changing from "providing for the aged" to "enjoying the aged".
"This change is a qualitative leap, and it is also a change from passivity to initiative and from material to spiritual development." As for its implementation path, Tan Zhonghe said that it needs the joint efforts of society, family and individuals. The social aspect is the social security system of our country and the constantly improved "aging" transformation; The family level is to build a friendly family and a happy family; At the individual level, we should improve the positive outlook on aging through continuous learning.
Peng Jing believes that the transformation from "providing for the aged" to "enjoying the aged" should focus on three aspects: policy guidance, smart empowerment and professional support. In addition, the elderly should also cultivate an optimistic and open-minded attitude towards life, so that the elderly can learn, act and enjoy themselves.
Huo Jing said that dignity, quality and fun will become the trend of "enjoying the elderly". For commercial institutions, the current service system is more concentrated in the first and second tier cities. In order to make the service benefit more people's livelihood, everyone hopes to cooperate with government enterprises and interested groups to continue to explore the elderly care service support system.
Wang Yongmei said, "The transition from 'providing for the aged' to 'enjoying the aged' means that people of different ages can get comprehensive development. People can voluntarily, unimpeded and safely participate in economic and social development, and can conveniently, efficiently and affordably get the services they need to enjoy their old age."
