Foreign nationals who establish labor or employment relationships with employers in Shanghai and obtain the required employment documents in accordance with applicable regulations shall participate in the employee social insurance system pursuant to state regulations.

After enrolling in the employee social insurance system in Shanghai, foreign nationals who have reached the applicable statutory retirement age and completed the minimum contribution period prescribed by the state may apply for the basic pension and receive pension benefits calculated under the rules for enterprise employees.

Those who have not yet met the minimum contribution period may continue making contributions in accordance with relevant regulations, or choose to terminate their basic old-age insurance relationship.

For those who leave the country before reaching the stipulated pension age, their individual social insurance accounts will be retained. If they return to China for employment, their contribution years will be accumulated. Alternatively, upon a written application to terminate the social insurance relationship, the balance in their individual social insurance account can be paid out to them in a lump sum.

Updated June 25, 2026

 

Source: Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau