A 71-year-old man in China who spent years collecting scrap to survive has discovered that more than 400,000 yuan was sitting in a bank account linked to his pension. The unexpected money came after he was helped by a social assistance center and finally gained access to his pension account.
From a Stable Job to Life on the Streets
The man, identified by Chinese media as Ru, once had a regular job at a state-owned store in Xuzhou, Hunan province. After graduating from a technical school, he worked there for around 30 years.
His life changed in the early 2000s when he was laid off. Although he received compensation, the money did not last long. He later fell into debt and became increasingly distant from relatives and friends.
Eventually, Ru left his hometown and moved to Sangzhi, another city in Hunan. With few resources available to him, he began collecting discarded materials as a way to earn money and support himself.
A Social Worker Helped Change His Situation
In 2024, an official from a social assistance center found Ru living in an abandoned building. Because of his strong sense of independence, he initially refused an offer to stay at a shelter.
He eventually accepted the help and provided his personal information to the center. This became an important turning point in his life.
More Than 400,000 Yuan Was Waiting for Him
Recently, Ru received a bank card connected to his pension account. The account contained 424,204 yuan, equivalent to more than 7.7 million Bangladeshi taka.
The discovery was especially surprising because Ru had apparently been receiving pension payments for about a decade without knowing about them.
After losing his job, he had been unable to continue paying contributions to his pension insurance. As a result, he believed that he was no longer eligible for pension benefits.
His lack of access to modern communication also contributed to the misunderstanding. Ru did not have a mobile phone and therefore had little opportunity to learn about changes in pension rules or other relevant information.
An Unexpected Financial Turning Point
Ru’s story shows how a person’s financial situation can change dramatically when forgotten or inaccessible benefits are finally identified. After years of hardship and collecting scrap to survive, the discovery of his pension savings has given the elderly man an unexpected financial lifeline.
The case also highlights the importance of social assistance services in identifying people who may be unaware of benefits available to them.
