A remarkable story has emerged from China, where a 71-year-old man, identified only by his surname Ru, recently discovered a substantial pension fund totaling 424,204 yuan (approximately ₹61.23 lakh) after living as a scavenger for over two decades. The discovery was made possible with the intervention of social workers who helped him navigate the country's social security system.
Decades of Hardship and Misinformation
Ru's journey to this unexpected fortune began after a 30-year career at a state-owned shop in Zhuzhou, Hunan province. Following his graduation from a technical school, he worked diligently before being laid off in the early 2000s. He received an undisclosed severance package, which he admitted to spending quickly due to his love for "enjoying life."
Once the money ran out, Ru found himself in debt and estranged from his relatives. With no other means of income, he turned to collecting rubbish to survive. He eventually relocated to Changde, where he continued his life as a scavenger, disconnected from societal developments and unaware of changes in retirement regulations.
Intervention and Revelation
The turning point came in the winter of 2024 when Wu Jinhui and his team from a social assistance station in Changde found Ru living in an abandoned building. Despite initial reluctance due to his strong sense of self-esteem, Ru eventually agreed to move to a relief shelter after continuous support and provision of daily necessities from the officials.
During their assistance, officials investigated Ru's background and discovered that he had reached the pension age in 2015 and was fully eligible to receive payments. His monthly pension amounted to approximately 3,700 yuan (around ₹53,400), which had accumulated to over 420,000 yuan over the past ten years.
Ru had previously believed that he needed to personally pay endowment insurance premiums for many years after his dismissal to qualify for a pension. Due to his dire financial situation, he never pursued this. However, Wu's investigation revealed that Ru's employer had consistently deducted premium payments from his salary during his 30 years at the state-owned shop.
A New Chapter
Overwhelmed with emotion, Ru received a bank card linked to his pension account in late September. He expressed profound gratitude to the social assistance authority and other government departments. His immediate plans include renting a flat in Changde to secure stable housing, and he also hopes to visit his hometown of Zhuzhou in the future.
Wu Jinhui advised Ru to safeguard his new funds, spend wisely, and remain vigilant against potential telecommunication fraud, ensuring his newfound financial stability brings lasting security.