Commentary

China Watch

Forum Digests

Columnists

Letters

Taxing kids for pensions wrong

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-03-06 07:42

Zhao Chao, a representative of the National People's Congress, has suggested the government levy a 3 percent tax from the earnings of young people and transfer it to their retired parents. It is not a wise suggestion, comments an article on the website www.xinhuanet.com. Following is an excerpt:

In traditional Chinese society, sons have the responsibility to support their elderly parents. In modern society, however, the public sector is responsible for maintaining and taking care of the elderly. Modern public welfare for pensioners is fairer and more stable than traditional family safeguards.

The proposal of Zhao contradicts the trend of modernization. Inferred from his suggestion, parents with richer children would get more income, while parents with poorer children or no children at all would receive less or even no money. It is obviously unfair.

As taxpayers, we expect the government to offer everyone fair and stable pensions.

(China Daily 03/06/2009 page9)