Tie a "safety rope" to the "money bag" for the elderly

Recently, seven departments, including the Ministry of Civil Affairs, jointly issued the Guiding Opinions on Strengthening the Supervision of Pension Institutions' Pre charge (hereinafter referred to as the "Guiding Opinions") to regulate and supervise the behavior of pension institutions' pre charge, and tie a "safety rope" to the pension "purse". The Guiding Opinions will come into force on October 1, with a validity period of 5 years.

There are 14 items in 4 parts in the Guiding Opinions, which define the connotation of pre charge and bring the pension service fee, deposit and membership fee into full scope supervision; Clarified the collection requirements, limited the maximum collection time limit of pension service fees and the maximum amount of deposit in advance, and listed the "negative list" of membership fees; It emphasizes the use purpose to prevent the elderly care institutions from becoming a platform for collecting money; We have strengthened diversified supervision, and put forward requirements for classified management of advance funds and classified disposal of risks and hidden dangers.

According to the Guiding Opinions, if an elderly care institution adopts the pre charge method, it shall publicize the pre charge items, standards and other information in prominent places such as service places and portals, and submit them to the civil affairs department responsible for supervision. The period of advance collection of pension service fees shall not exceed 12 months at most, and the deposit charged for a single elderly person shall not exceed 12 times the monthly bed fee of the elderly person at most; Elderly care institutions shall not provide services beyond the bed supply capacity, ensure that the total number of elderly people who pay fees shall not exceed the total number of their registered beds, and the total amount of prepaid fees shall not exceed their net fixed assets; An elder service institution shall not induce the elderly or their agents to pay the advance charges by promising to repay the principal and interest, or giving other investment returns; Membership fees shall not be used for high-risk investments such as non self use real estate, marketable securities and financial derivatives. For the prepaid fees that meet the refund conditions agreed in the service agreement, the elderly service institution shall refund the fees in time as agreed, and shall not refuse or delay.

Li Banghua, Deputy Director of the Department of Elderly Care Services of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, introduced that the Guiding Opinions clearly defined three "bottom lines of safety": first, it is strictly prohibited for elderly care institutions to "sell more than one bed" beyond the supply capacity of beds; Second, strictly limit the use of the pre charge of the elderly care institutions, which can only be used to deduct the fees that the elderly need to pay to stay in the institution, make up for the lack of funds for the construction of the institution's facilities, or develop the elderly care service business of the institution. It is not allowed to raise funds for other purposes under the guise of elderly care, and convert the pre charge into a means of collecting money; Third, it is clear that the elderly and their families shall not be induced to pay fees by promising to repay the principal and interest, giving other investment returns, etc.

"Next, the Ministry of Civil Affairs will guide local civil affairs departments to refine measures, work with relevant departments to improve the collaborative supervision mechanism, and help stock institutions to make a smooth transition." Li Banghua said, "On the one hand, we should strengthen the risk management of pension institutions' pre charging behavior, and on the other hand, we should block the space for illegal fund-raising in the name of pre charging, so as to promote the healthy and orderly development of the pension service industry and protect the legitimate rights and interests of the elderly."

Li Banghua said that the majority of the elderly and their families, as consumers, should also pay careful attention when paying fees in elderly care institutions, and strive to achieve "four perspectives" to avoid infringement of their own rights and interests.

Check whether the organization is legal. To select a qualified elderly care institution, you can check its business license or legal person registration certificate, as well as the elderly care institution filing certificate issued by the civil affairs department, or query the registered elderly care institution through the official website of the local civil affairs department or the official elderly care service website.

Check whether the charges are open. All charges of pension institutions must be announced. The elderly can view the pre charged items, standards and other information in prominent locations such as the service places and portals of the elderly care institutions.

See if the agreement is reasonable. The elderly shall sign an agreement with the elderly care institution when they live in the elderly care institution. Before signing the agreement, they have the right to ask the pension institution to truthfully and accurately explain the collection, use and other related information of the pre charge, as well as the possible risks. Check the contents of the contract carefully. The elderly have the right to refuse if they encounter unreasonable standard terms, limit their own rights, reduce or exempt the responsibility of the institution.

Check whether the payment is compliant. When paying fees, it is necessary to identify whether the collection account is an account of an elderly care institution. Do not remit money to the account of the so-called affiliated company of the elderly care institution, nor to the personal account of the salesperson or person in charge. After payment, ask for an invoice from the elderly care institution, and check whether the content of the invoice filled in is consistent with the actual transaction. The elderly care institution has the right to refuse to use "white slips" such as collection receipts instead of collection vouchers. The elderly should properly keep invoices or other consumption vouchers, and can claim rights according to laws and regulations in case of consumption disputes.

When facing low prices, discounts and concessions, the elderly should also be cautious and choose the most suitable payment method. In particular, it is necessary to improve the awareness of risk prevention, understand that the essence of pension institutions is to provide pension services, do not believe in the promises of investment returns and high returns, and remember that there are always huge risks behind high incentives, and stay away from illegal fund-raising.

If the elderly and their families encounter problems in the payment of fees in the elderly care institutions, they can consult the local civil affairs department through website messages, phone calls and other ways to understand the relevant policy requirements. If you find any clues about the pension institution's illegal fund-raising, please report to the local civil affairs department or the public security department in a timely manner.

People's Daily (May 13, 2024, Edition 11)