A friend checked her pension and found it would be just over 3,000 yuan a month after 20 years. In Shanghai, that's barely survival.
The problem: freelancers pay both portions of social security and usually choose the minimum base. The result is a tiny pension.
Solutions: contribute at a realistic base, don't neglect the medical insurance component, consider the housing fund, and supplement with commercial products. The system wasn't built for flexible employment, but understanding how to work within it is key.