Chinese man, 71, discovers US$63,000 pension balance after 21 years scavenging

In late September, 71-year-old Ru received a bank card linked to his pension account and discovered a balance of 424,204 yuan.

Changde Daily reported the balance after the card was handed to Ru. The pension fund contained over 420,000 yuan, described as US$63,000.

Ru had spent the past 21 years scavenging to earn a living in Changde, in Hunan province. He was completely unaware that he was entitled to pensions over the decades.

The account balance was revealed only after Ru received the bank card, turning an unknown pension entitlement into a confirmed sum recorded in his account.

Ru breaks down while speaking to media

Ru sobbed as he spoke to the media about the discovery. “It goes without saying that I am happy. I never expected this to happen.”

He also said, “I am grateful for the support from the social assistance authority and other related government departments.”

A social worker who handed Ru the bank card advised him to keep it safe and spend the money wisely. The social worker also warned him to beware of telecom scams.

Ru’s case links the unexpected pension balance to his long period of scavenging in Changde and his lack of awareness about the pension entitlement. The sources do not provide further details about how the pension fund accumulated over the decades.

Source: South China Morning Post