The impact of high and low levels of old-age insurance on intergenerational family support: A comparison perspective

Abstract

Amid the global trend of population aging, this study examines how China’s stratified pension system shape downward intergenerational support. Using data from 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study data, we employ Probit and Tobit models to analyze binary outcomes (the occurrence of support) and left-censored variables (the intensity of support), respectively. Our findings reveal contrasting effects by pension level: for high-level pension recipients, increased pension amounts raise the likelihood and intensity of financial support, while practical support decreases. Conversely, for low-level pension recipients, increasing pension amounts reduce financial support and increase practical support, with no significant change in support intensity. Gender disparities remain evident, with mothers being more likely to provide support and daughters more likely to receive it. By focusing on a single national context with significant internal disparities, this study offers a nuanced understanding of how pension policies and cultural norms jointly shape intergenerational behavior. Our findings have policy implications for promoting fairness and sustainability in aging societies facing socioeconomic disparities.